Who Killed EMU Student Julia Niswender? 3 Years Later Family Still Hopeful Case Will Be Solved

YPSILANTI (WWJ/AP) - Family members of a 23-year-old Eastern Michigan University student who was killed in 2012 say they haven't given up hope that the case will be solved.

Friday marks three years since 23-year-old Julia Niswender was found drowned in the bathtub of her off-campus apartment in Ypsilanti. Family members plan to spend time together this weekend and visit her grave, according to reports.

Kim Turnquist told the Ann Arbor News that her daughter "lives on in all of us and is in our hearts every day."

Jennifer Niswender said the family hasn't given up hope following her twin sister's death.

"Three years later, we still believe that one day justice will be found for Julia," she said.

Police continue to work on the investigation.

Niswender was found strangled in her bathtub at the Peninsular Place Apartments on Huron River Drive, located across the street from the campus police station, on December 11, 2012. A medical examiner ruled the official cause of death as asphyxiation associated with drowning. Authorities said there was no forced entry into the apartment, which was found in disarray with the door locked.

Investigators have said they don't believe Niswender's murder was random. A suspect has never been named.

Earlier this year, police said Niswender's step-father James Turnquist was considered a person of interest in the case. He was arrested on child porn charges after authorities found at least 30 pornographic images of who they believed were underage women on Turnquist's laptop. The images were discovered during a search related to Niswender's death. In September, Turnquist was acquitted of the charges and was released from custody.

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