Friends and family of Lisa Koziol-Ellis have raised $15,000 and counting for a reward they hope will entice someone to come forward with information on the murdered Chicago-area artist's killer.
"We're offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who murdered my beautiful wife, Lisa," said Dash Ellis, Koziol-Ellis' husband of six years according to the Daily Herald. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the tearful Ellis said the fund was currently at $15,000.
The 33-year-old artist was found March 2 in the couple's Elgin, Ill. town home, dead from apparent multiple stab wounds.
In addition to the ongoing fundraising campaign for a reward, supporters have also started the fightforfoxy.com website — inspired by the artist's nickname "Foxy Goat" — listing contacts for Elgin police, and a Facebook page called "Justice for Lisa" and information on how to donate to the reward efforts.
There have been few developments in the case, while ABC Chicago reports police are still not saying whether Koziol-Ellis was targeted or whether she was surprised by a burglar at her home.
Ellis' family urged anyone with information to speak up, reports the Tribune. "I don't care why you do it," said Ellis' father, Jeff. "Get these people off the street."
Elgin Police Lt. Sean Rafferty told NBC Chicago, "Every lead that comes in gives us restored hope that we are in the right direction and we're going to bring this murderer to justice." Koziol-Ellis' death was the first of the year in the Chicago suburb.
The Ellis couple had been in their new Elgin home just a few days having picked up and moved from Chicago. During Tuesday's announcement, Ellis' eyes welled up with tears as he said, "We wanted something more permanent and just kind of a change of scenery. Somewhere safe."
Anyone with information should contact the Elgin Police Department by texting a tip to 847411 or by calling (847) 289-2700.