Family of 15-year-old unsolved Douglas County murder case: “Why did this happen to my grandmother?”

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Georgia. – Maryanne Humphrey was working at Circle K on Stewart Mill Road on September 19, 2009, when a masked man entered the store and attempted to rob the store at gunpoint. The store is still open 15 years later, and so is the murder case.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the defendants' families hope their pleas will be heard to finally refresh someone's memory in the murder of the Douglas County grandmother.

“I know her as a grandma,” said the victim's granddaughter, Kailyn Kaiser, fighting back tears. “For 15 years, I always wondered why. As the years went by and the case became more and more murky, I asked myself: Why did this happen to my grandmother?”

Officials say Humphrey tried to stop the man. A security camera photo shows the 63-year-old grandmother struggling with the would-be robber. During the struggle, investigators say the man fired at least one shot, killing Humphrey.

Nearly 15 years after her death, the identity of the Douglas County woman's killer remains unknown. As the anniversary approaches, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is again asking for information that could help catch the man.

“We get tips a few times a month, and they always seem to revolve around the same issues and people,” said Douglas County Sheriff's Captain Jon Mauney.

For the first time, investigators have now published sketches of the suspect. One of them shows what the murderer looked like back then. A teenager or perhaps in his early 20s, 5'4″ tall. Another sketch shows what the shooter might look like today, 15 years later.

Sketches of the man wanted in connection with the shooting death of Maryanne Humphrey at the Circle K on Stewart Mill Road in Douglas County on September 19, 2009. (Included in delivery)

Investigators want the public to take a close look at the man's sneakers. They are rare Reeboks. After the suspect was spotted wearing them, a replica of the shoes was made.

“What makes these shoes so special is that they weren't released until the time of the murder,” said Captain Mauney. “Not many people had them at the time. Only a limited number were released.”

A lot has changed in 15 years, but investigators are standing by the family and are confident that they can bring justice to Maryann Humphrey by refreshing her memory a little.

“We need your help to bring closure to this family's case. Make sure their loved ones finally get the justice they have been seeking all this time,” said Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine.

If you have any information that could help with the case, please contact the GBI or the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this cold case.