Family seeks closure in unsolved, 3-year-old Fort Myers murder

FORT MYERS, Fla.- On the third anniversary of 23-year-old David Lau’s murder, the Lau family struggles to find closure as the crime remains unsolved.

“I’m not exactly sure what happened the night of his murder and I struggle with that, every  day,” said Judy Lau, the victim’s mother.

On December 30, 2012, the day before his 24th birthday, someone shot and killed David Lau inside his Lafayette Street home.

“It feels like half of me isn’t here anymore,” said the victim’s twin sister, Amanda Lau, “I feel like I’m in a dead zone. I can’t move forward and I can’t accept it actually happened.”

Fort Myers police say they didn’t get a call about the murder at first, it was a fire reported at the unit next to David Lau’s home that brought police to the scene.

“We don’t consider it a cold case, we just haven’t received many leads in the last couple years regarding this case. We believe the person who set the fire is the person who killed Mr. Lau,” said Detective Sgt. Brian O’ Reilly.

David Lau’s family admits he battled drug addiction, but he was on the road to recovery when his life was taken.

“David struggled, there’s no doubt, but David called me everyday,” said Judy Lau. “Every Christmas, it’s a tough time of the year. I pull out the last Christmas card he sent and I read it every Christmas along with all the other letters and it’s very difficult.”

“We believe there was an altercation that happened the day before between him and somebody who stole narcotics. We know there were witnesses to that altercation and those people may be witnesses to what transpired that evening,” said O’ Reilly.

Authorities say it’s possible the murderer may already be in jail for an unrelated crime, all the more reason for people to speak up.

“When some may believe hope is lost, to get that great witness that comes forward and gives that piece of evidence to clear the case, we’ve done it before,” said O’ Reilly.

“Help families get through this, this is so hard,” said Judy Lau, “I just want to know why.”

“I don’t want to keep reliving this until I’m 80 years old, that’s not fair,” said Amanda Lau. “I just wish he was here.”

David Lau’s family lives in Delaware. His mother is part of an organization bringing together victims and suspects of violent crime. She also started a 5K run in her son’s name to benefit at-risk kids in the community.

There’s a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in David Lau’s murder. If you have any information, you can remain anonymous by calling Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).