A year since her murder, still no conviction

While public attention has recently been captured by cases of runaway girls falsely claiming they were kidnapped, one year ago this week on March 22nd, 1999 a little girl did go missing, for real. And like Sherilee Nicholas, Jay Blades, Erica Wills, and Noemi Hernandez, this little girl never came home. Tonight, News Five remembers the child whose death touched us all.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

It has been one year since Jackie Fern Malic was murdered by someone now believed to be a serial killer. Her family has been keeping Jackie’s memory alive by compiling A scrapbook entitled “Memory of an Angel.”

The 12-year-old girl was the third Belize City child to be murdered. On March 22nd, 1999, Jackie disappeared after she left her home to go to school. Two days later the young girl’s mutilated body was found on a road off mile 8 on the Western Highway. The medical examiner believes she was killed the same day she went missing. There were innumerable stab wounds on the body indicating she was tortured. Today the family tries to have happier memories, of a little girl who was pleasant, friendly and active. But it is hard.

Deonicia Cadle, Grandmother

“It really affects the family really because it brings back all the memories. She was in the Legion of Mary, she was in the little prayer group, she was in Guides and then she was a church member. She was a very friendly girl, yes very friendly.”

Since Jackie’s brutal murder last March, two more other girls have been killed. Although the police made an arrest in Jackie’s case, arresting a mechanic, Mike Williams, who is a man known to the family and who her younger sister claimed had offered Jackie a ride that fateful morning, the suspect was let go because of insufficient evidence. There were also reports at the time that Jackie had been seen in a red car with an employee of the Medical Department. He was questioned and released by police at that time. Her family says it has not been an easy year and they have only one wish on this day.

Deonicia Cadle

“Well, Miss I pray plenty, I pray plenty and I ask the good Lord to guide me and give me health and give me health and strength you know. Well for the whole entire children whom parents have lost and pray for them at least so they can find the killer.”

Tonight Jackie’s family wants the entire community not only to remember Jackie Fern Malic, but also Sherilee Nicholas, Jay Blades, Erica Wills and Noemi Hernandez. Until the killer is brought to justice no Belizean girl is safe.

Jacqueline Woods for News Five.