Richmond woman still hopes for answers 40 years after her sister's murder

RICHMOND, Virginia – For more than 40 years, a family has waited for answers in the murder of their beloved, 41-year-old Emma May McEachin-Clark.

Richmond detectives say DNA is not usable in this case, but information from someone who knew Clark at the time could help them solve the cold case.

An apartment door that was left ajar in an apartment building in the 700 block of Mosby Street in May 1982 is the focus of a 42-year-old crime story.

Clark was shot twice inside; her sister-in-law discovered her body after Clark's boss called and told her she had not reported to work that day.

“She was a sweet girl. She was my mother's right-hand woman.” Clark's sister, Candres McEachin, lived with her in her apartment for a time.

“She helped me a lot. She helped me finish college. She gave me room and board to finish college and I didn't have to pay for anything.”

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While staying with her older sister, Candres says, Emma began a romantic relationship with a man she didn't trust. She said the man worked at Phillip Morris and then took a break to visit her sister, staying until the early hours of the morning.

“She was with a man who I immediately noticed was very possessive,” Candres said.

Richmond police Detective George Wade says there is a prime suspect in Emma's murder.

Wade says the person in question was interviewed several times and initially agreed to a lie detector test shortly before the 20th anniversary of Emma's death, but then changed his mind.

“From what I understand, they scheduled a lie detector test, but he refused to appear or cooperate,” Wade said.

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The man remains on the RPD's radar, but Wade believes others have information as well. Perhaps even someone who worked with the man but didn't identify himself at the time.

“There have been a lot of domestic incidents that have occurred both inside the home and in public as they have been seen together, so someone knows about this murder,” Wade said. “Someone knows and I wish they would come forward to help us.”

Candres also hopes for this.

She asks some of the man’s former colleagues to come forward.

“I'm sure they were afraid of retaliation because he was the supervisor, but they knew he wasn't there between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” Candres said.

If you have information that may help the case, you can call 833-RTCFNVA or email the information to [email protected].

This is an evolving story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.