JOHNSTOWN —
Relatives of Robert T. Williams Jr. made a tearful appeal, joining police and Cambria County Crime Stoppers in asking for help solving the Richland man’s Jan. 3 murder.
“He had a loving family,” his sister Kim Banda said, her voice breaking, at Richland Township police headquarters.
“We miss him more than you can imagine. Please help us.”
Crime Stoppers is offering $4,000, the largest reward in its history, and putting Williams’ face with information about the case on billboards to keep the crime fresh in people’s minds, organization President Gary Martin said.
The first electronic billboard carrying the message is located near the intersection of Elton Road and Route 219.
Williams, 38, died from two gunshot wounds to the head. Police believe two men, who may have known him, came to Williams’ house around 8 p.m. on the day of his murder.
It was the first murder in Richland Township in more then 20 years, records show.
But it was the nature of the crime that makes it even more urgent, Richland police Detective Kevin Gaudlip said.
“The people who committed this horrific murder did it in such a way that we know they will continue to commit violent crime against society until they are caught,” Gaudlip said.
Police are asking for any information, no matter how insignificant, to help them explore leads on the case.
“People out there know,” Richland police Chief Michael Burgan said. “They have information that can help us.”
Tipsters can remain anonymous, Martin stressed, urging those with information to contact Richland police at 266-8333 or the county tip hot line at 800-548-7500.
Williams’ sister Terri Meeks said the family is baffled by the murder.
“If it was a robbery, why?” she asked. “He would have given you anything. He would have given you the shirt off his back.”
Other family members at the press conference were Williams’ mother, Rose Williams; sisters, Toni Costanzo and Stefanie Kekich; fiancee, Kristy Guillarmod; and daughter, Jade Williams.
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