SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Police are renewing their request for help from the public in solving the 2008 homicide of a 25-year-old woman.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Mason Fletcher spoke with Springfield Police Sgt. James Byron about the case Thursday on News Center 7 at 5:00.
“Just like every victim of one of these cases, we wanna provide justice,” Byron said.
Alia Hartman was killed in the early morning hours of Friday, May 9, 2008.
TRENDING STORIES:
- High school lacrosse player dies from injury during game
- Missing Ohio woman found dead in pond
- ‘They are going to be so mad;’ Neighbors concerned after new Wawa location approved
Early in the morning that day, Springfield firefighters responded to the report of a house fire on Sweetbriar Lane South.
Firefighters discovered Hartman’s body inside the house.
She was seen the night before the fire by several witnesses.
Investigators determined the fire to be arson, and the Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled her death a homicide.
“This was a homicide and the arson was the cover-up,” Byron said.
Byron said the fire was started close to where Hartman’s body was found.
Investigators have been working with neighbors and community members to solve the case. Byron said he added a detective and they’ve been working the cold case for months.
Police are asking anyone with information, “no matter how small or long ago,” to come forward and share with the police department.
Byron said several people were cooperative at the beginning of the investigation, but after 17 years, they would like to talk to them again.
“Weird noises that they heard, maybe a vehicle that drove by. Anything that somebody thinks might have been, at the time, insignificant, that they think now could be significant, we would like it. It only takes one small piece of evidence for us to really pursue a case and break it wide open,” Byron said.
Friday marks the 17th anniversary of Hartman’s death.
“The purpose of today is both to remember her, to let her family know that we’re still trying to pursue justice for her in this case,” Byron said.
Tips can be provided 24/7 by calling (937) 324-7685, contacting Detective Kevin Miller at (937) 324-7709, or emailing spdtip@springfieldohio.gov.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
