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Mar 9, 2008 10:29 pm US/Eastern
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Attorney's Family Speaks Out About Unsolved Death
Broward County Crimestoppers: 954-493-TIPS.
A Reward Of Up To $251,000 Is Being Offered.
Body Was Found At 8800 New River Canal Road
PLANTATION (CBS4) ―
The family of local attorney found dead in a Plantation canal said they are shocked and heartbroken over her mysterious death. Tears flow on many as they try to express what Melissa Lewis meant to them.
In a statement released on Sunday, they ask the community to help them find the person responsible for her death.
"This week our hearts have torn from our bodies, with the loss of our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin Melissa "Missy" Lewis. She was our shining star, she made our entire world a better place to live, because of her optimistic love of life and family. She adored all her family and she fought for them. Missy will still be the inspiration for all young women. She would say "you don't have to settle for less, you can make your dreams come true. Work hard and you can accomplish anything you can put your heart and mind to." Melissa's brutal, senseless, violent death has left a huge black hole in our world. Her family, friends and coworkers are pleading with this community to help find this ruthless killer. There is more than 250 thousand dollars reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and convection of Missy's killer. Please call the police right away."
Lynn Haberl, Lewis' aunt.
The family said "Missy" was an ambitious, intelligent, driven woman working towards her dream to becoming a judge one day. She had already become a successful lawyer at the law firm of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler.
On Saturday, volunteers handed out fliers in Plantation, with information about Lewis' in attempt to find the killer.
A reward of up to $251,000 is being offered for information to help solve her murder. What police aren't sure about at this time is whether she was followed home after she left a local Publix Supermarket Wednesday night, or whether she was targeted right at her home.
Police continue to pour over a constant flow of leads, but so far none has taken them to the killer.
Police and Fire Rescue were called out to 8800 New River Canal Road on Friday morning when water management workers spotted a woman's body in the water around 7:15 a.m. near a pump station. The body was fully clothed.
At least two police divers went into water to recover the body which police officials say was wedged because the pump house filters out and gathers weeds and other large objects. The Broward Medical Examiner also went to the scene as the body was removed from the water in a yellow tarp.
Lewis went missing Wednesday night after returning home from a trip to a Publix Supermarket located at Broward Boulevard and 69th Street. Friends said she was not married and lived a quiet life. She didn't have any children, and had gone through an amicable divorce about a year ago.
When she didn't show up for work on Thursday, family and friends panicked.
"We are all just devastated, she's just everything to me," said Debra Villegas, Lewis's friend.
Lewis' law firm called her a true superstar who had become a well respected lawyer in the field of wage and hour law, who worked for the Fraternal Order of Police.
"There is an absolute, crazy lunatic out there," said Scott Rothstein, Lewis' friend and co-worker. "Anyone that would hurt this woman is really a complete lost person, very dangerous."
Police say they found signs of a struggle inside her garage and her 2007 Black Cadillac SRX was missing. The vehicle was found Thursday afternoon in a parking lot at 7500 NW 5th Street, just blocks from her home.
The 39-year-old victim's niece was the last person to talk with her on the phone while on her way home from Publix.
"It's kind of a scary thing to hear that someone that you lived within blocks of is reported missing," said Connie Sokolowski, one of Lewis' neighbors. "Is disturbing, is quite disturbing."
The law firm where "Missy" worked released the following statement regarding the death of their coworker:
"She was a true superstar with her vivacious personality, compassion and intellect, she developed into an extremely well respected litigator and lawyer. Melissa was well respected by her judges and peers."
If you have any information that may help police catch the killer, please call Broward Crimestoppers: 954-493-TIPS.
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