Scott Weinberger

Some survivors see a guilty verdict as a necessary step for closure, but for others, a long investigation or stalled prosecution can be painful roadblocks to moving forward with lives already forever changed by the loss of a loved one.

Some survivors see a guilty verdict as a necessary step for closure, but for others, a long investigation or stalled prosecution can be painful roadblocks to moving forward with lives already forever changed by the loss of a loved one.

But for many investigators and prosecutors, there's really no question at all. As long as there is enough evidence and enough hope, the pursuit of justice never stops.

But for many investigators and prosecutors, there's really no question at all. As long as there is enough evidence and enough hope, the pursuit of justice never stops.

And that included Yvonne, a 45-year-old mother of four who had grown up in the same town and raised her family there.

And that included Yvonne, a 45-year-old mother of four who had grown up in the same town and raised her family there.

In December of 1985, the single mother was living with her 20-year-old daughter, Julie, in a second-floor apartment located above a storefront in what passed for a downtown in tiny St. Croix Falls.

In December of 1985, the single mother was living with her 20-year-old daughter, Julie, in a second-floor apartment located above a storefront in what passed for a downtown in tiny St. Croix Falls.

And so at approximately 6.15 a.m., despite being out until nearly midnight at a birthday party the night before, Yvonne bundled up and began her morning routine.

And so at approximately 6.15 a.m., despite being out until nearly midnight at a birthday party the night before, Yvonne bundled up and began her morning routine.

The sudden noises were so startling and so out of the ordinary for a cold, dark Thursday morning that Yvonne's daughter immediately sensed something terrible had happened to her mother. She had no idea just what.

The sudden noises were so startling and so out of the ordinary for a cold, dark Thursday morning that Yvonne's daughter immediately sensed something terrible had happened to her mother. She had no idea just what.

Several minutes passed and Yvonne didn't return to the apartment. Fearing for her own safety and that of her mom, she picked up the phone to call for help.

Several minutes passed and Yvonne didn't return to the apartment. Fearing for her own safety and that of her mom, she picked up the phone to call for help.

The call went out to all available officers, and within a matter of minutes, one was on his way. But with little information available, he really had no idea what to expect.

The call went out to all available officers, and within a matter of minutes, one was on his way. But with little information available, he really had no idea what to expect.

Yvonne Menke, a 45-year-old mother of four, on her way to work on a typical Thursday morning, had been fatally shot once in the neck and twice in the back of the head.

Yvonne Menke, a 45-year-old mother of four, on her way to work on a typical Thursday morning, had been fatally shot once in the neck and twice in the back of the head.

The position of her body and the trajectory of the .22 caliber bullets that killed her also revealed crucial information about the crime and possibly her killer.

The position of her body and the trajectory of the .22 caliber bullets that killed her also revealed crucial information about the crime and possibly her killer.