In St. Petersburg, Florida, Shawn Gertsch has spent 24 years seeking justice for his mother, Patricia Hodges, who was tragically murdered in 2002. Hodges, a devoted mother and grandmother, was found dead in her apartment with no signs of forced entry, leaving investigators puzzled and the case unsolved.

A Mother’s Legacy

Patricia Hodges was a 64-year-old mother of five and grandmother of nine. Her life revolved around her family, and she was known for her kindness and warmth. Her son, Shawn, fondly remembers sharing stories of his travels with her, highlighting the deep bond they shared.

The Unsolved Crime

On April 18, 2002, Hodges’ friend and neighbor, Vivian, discovered her body after becoming concerned when Hodges did not answer the door. Investigators determined that Hodges had suffered ‘upper body trauma,’ but no murder weapon was found, and no arrests were made. The lack of forced entry suggests Hodges may have known her assailant.

Cold Case Investigation

Despite extensive interviews and investigations, the case went cold. Detective Wally Pavelski, now working on the case, hopes that new forensic techniques and renewed efforts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will yield fresh leads. Pavelski believes someone may still hold key information that could solve the case.

A Son’s Promise

Shawn Gertsch remains committed to finding justice for his mother, a promise he made to his late sister, Sue. He continues to document his thoughts and leads in notebooks, hoping that something was overlooked in the initial investigation. Gertsch believes that someone, somewhere, knows what happened to his mother.

As the investigation is re-examined, Gertsch hopes for closure and justice for his family. He keeps his mother’s memory alive by sharing stories with his daughter, ensuring that Patricia Hodges’ legacy endures.

Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.