http://www.kansascitykansan.com/articles/2...local/news1.txt
After 7 years, murder victim still missing
By CARMEN CARDINAL
Kansan Staff Writer
Star Boomer would have been 46 years old today. Her family, especially her sister, Cynthia Hurtie will remember her bright, quick smile. Boomer's son, now 10, is being raised by his grandparents in Spring Hill.
"We believe she was murdered on my birthday, Feb. 23, 1999, seven years ago," Cynthia Hurtie said on Tuesday. It took her 10 years to pay for her sister's funeral. Now she is working on purchasing a tombstone. Boomer has never had a proper funeral because her body has never been found.
Boomer was a patron at Uncle Mike's Bar, 49th and Metropolitan, when she allegedly got into a violent fight with a man.
"There were about 13 witnesses who saw her get knocked to the ground and beaten until she was unconscious," said Hurtie. "No one lifted a finger to help her."
That was the last time anyone saw her.
Two men were arrested and charged with second degree murder by District Attorney Nick Tomasic, but were later released and charges dismissed because witnesses did not come forth.
Hurtie hopes that perhaps some of the witnesses will reconsider and agree to testify.
"There are people who know what happened," she said. Evidence also disappeared according to Hurtie. She said that the police were unable to search a truck owned by one of the suspects. Another vehicle, owned by the bartending girlfriend of one of the alleged perpetrators, was found burned, Hurtie said.
"I can only wonder if they burned it to destroy evidence, or maybe it was an attempt to intimidate her," she said. "He married her and she could not testify against him."
"The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the KCK Police Department are continuing the investigation," Hurtie said.
A $6,000 Governor's Reward was put into effect by Gov. Bill Graves. People with information can call the KCKPD homicide and robbery unit at 913-673-6010 or the KBI, 1-800-KS CRIME. Persons can also call 4740-TIPS. She is listed with the National Center for Missing Adults.
Boomer had gone to the tavern with her friend and roommate, Carolyn Marshall, Hurtie said. A local news story reported that the tavern was near their home. Marshall had a drink and headed home, planning to return in a few hours to pick up her roommate. When she arrived at the bar, she was told that Boomer had left with two men. Investigators said it was believed that Boomer was killed in the bar and her body was dumped elsewhere.
Boomer grew up not far from the bar. She had attended Turner High School and had dropped out but was studying for a GED when she disappeared. She was planning to move to Spring Hill to live with her parents until she could get back on her feet.
Hurtie said she does not know if Boomer knew her attacker well, but in a newspaper article, Marshall said she saw a man knock her down to the floor, jerking off her bar stool, while she was there. Marshall reportedly said she didn't think they even said anything to each other. The man was hustled out the back door of the bar. Boomer got up and dusted herself off and sat at the bar, according to Marshall.
"The whole thing is horrifying," Hurtie said. "I still pursue it. I go to the media as much as I can. It has affected us a lot. Star's boy is 10 years old now and he does pretty well, but all our family wants to know where Star is. We would like to have a funeral for her."
She said the alleged perpetrators are still in the area.
"I will continue to pursue this until my family finds justice and closure," Hurtie said. "She was a human being and does not deserve to be thrown away like trash."
Hurtie said she has tried psychics, including the famous Sylvia Brown, but was very disappointed. She is now using the services of a detective with a cadaver-sniffing dog in the area.
"I have searched the woods in that area," Hurtie said. She hopes that someday, something will turn up, or a witness can come forth. Hurtie is in the nursing business with a few home health patients.
"I can't sleep and it is hard for me to hold an 8 to 5 job," she said. "I have to have flexible time to continue to be devoted to this. I can't give up. I don't mean for this to be an obsession but I want justice for her."
