Oct. 16--Every October and April, Rebecca Climer and her family gather near an empty lot in Franklinton and remember what they've lost.
It's been three years since Climer's mother, Deanna Perry, 61, died in a fire that was set on Oct. 15, 2010.
Perry's 20-year-old grandson, Charles Climer, and 7-month-old Brianna Smith, whom Perry was caring for, also died.
Rebecca Climer knows that, at this point, it's a long shot that the case will ever be solved. But still, she and her relatives gather every six months at the spot that used to be 128 N. Yale Ave. and grieve together.
"We do it for ourselves," Climer said. "This is my family's way of coming over and paying tribute to our loved ones."
Yesterday, on the third anniversary, investigators said they are no closer to solving the triple homicide than they were three years ago. Bits and pieces of information have surfaced over the years, they said, but nothing that could lead to charges being filed.
"The leads have stopped coming in," Columbus homicide detective Patricia Clark said. "Our hope ... is that somebody who had information in 2010, maybe they were afraid, and now they don't have those connections with whoever was making them afraid."
The house where the three died has since been torn down. All that's left are three concrete steps leading to an empty lot. Climer's brother, Darrell Parfitt, installed a piece of spray-painted plywood reading "Never Forget. 10-15-2010. Mom. Little. Bri."
Charles Climer was called "Little" by his family.
The fire started on the front porch just after 5 a.m. All three died of smoke inhalation. Perry and the baby were found in an upstairs bedroom. Climer, who likely jumped or fell from a window, was found badly burned on the ground outside.
Climer's family invited the media, police and firefighters to their gathering yesterday, hoping that a bit of attention might shake loose a tip from the public. Rewards from Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and the state fire marshal's office of $5,000 remain unclaimed.
The case should be solved because "they deserve it," Clark said, pointing to Rebecca Climer and her family.
But Climer corrected her. "They deserve it," she said, gesturing at the empty lot.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus police homicide squad at 614-645-4730 or Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
@allymanning
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