Here is a brief article about Jettis Holifield's murder:
http://gonebutnotforgotten.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/cold-case-solved-after-languishing-8-years/
It took 8 years to solve. I hope Hiawayi's murder doesn't take nearly that long to solve! With all of the issues we now know about the family and the community, and the fact that this occurred after school, I'm wondering if a teenager/teenagers could have committed this crime. If her family is well known in the community for their drug connections, maybe some older kid (e.g., a brother of a classmate) instructed Hiawayi to take some drugs from home and bring to them. Could that be where she got the money for candy, if not from her dad? If LE searched the mother's apartment, I wonder if they found more money in Hiawayi's room. Could she have planned to meet some other kids after going to the store but went empty-handed (no drugs) and then was attacked?
If she were murdered by a teen/teens, I think they would be more likely to talk. Or, maybe
not if the main perp is threatening witnesses/abettors. If LE hasn't found any clues from telephone (landline or cell) data, that could indicate that messages were relayed between Hiawayi and the perp via a classmate. If a teen, the perp would have to be old enough to drive. I'm thinking of the Jenise Wright case, but in this case with a different motive.
I am sure the drug activity of the family must be somehow involved -- just not sure whether directly or indirectly. All MOO