Following from Madison police: The MPD and Kelly Nolan's family are marking the 10th anniversary of Kelly's death with a new appeal for information regarding her homicide.
Kelly was a 22-year-old UW-Whitewater student who disappeared from the State Street area in the early morning hours of June 23, 2007.
"The passage of time in no way diminishes the heinousness of the crime, the guilt of the criminal(s), nor the need for accountability. We and the authorities believe there are people in this community and elsewhere, reading this today, who can shed light on what happened to Kelly if they will only reach out and tell someone ...Our family realizes that providing this kind of information now may not be easy for you, or that you may be embarrassed or even afraid. But we would ask you to be brave, to examine your consciences and to do the right thing," said the Nolan family in a statement
It's believed Kelly left the State Street area – either voluntarily or by force – with one or more people. Her body was found on July 9, 2007 in a wooded area 10 miles south of the Isthmus: near Schneider Rd., off County Highway MM, in the Town of Dunn, just north of the Village of Oregon. Kelly had no known connections to the area. A Waunakee native, Kelly was living in downtown Madison during the summer of 2007.
On the night she went missing, she had become separated from friends with whom she had been socializing. It's believed she left State St. sometime after 2:30 a.m. Kelly was 5'6", 125 pounds, with shoulder length dark hair. At the time she went missing, she was wearing an emerald green, scoop necked blouse and blue jeans. She was carrying a grayish-green handbag with many external pockets. A photograph - not previously released - taken a couple of weeks prior to Kelly's death, has been attached to this Incident Report.
The investigation into Kelly's homicide has been ongoing over the past decade, and two veteran detectives are currently assigned to her case. They have been actively pursuing all leads, and the MPD remains committed to finding the person, or persons, responsible for Kelly's death. Anyone with information – even that which might seem dated or insignificant – is urged to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014. Callers can be eligible for a cash reward.
STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF KELLY NOLAN
As we mark this, the ten year anniversary of the murder of our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, Kelly Nolan, we once again thank the Good Lord for sending her to us, albeit for such a short time and with such a tragic ending. Thankfully, our short time together was filled with all of the wonders that made Kelly such a very special and unique human being. Her kindness, friendliness, humor, selflessness, loyalty, intelligence inquisitiveness, and of course beauty, both inside and out, will always be remembered by the many who loved her. Today, Kelly's family and friends once again wish to implore the public to come forward with any information they may have about the person(s) responsible for extinguishing such a precious and shining young light.
The passage of time in no way diminishes the heinousness of the crime, the guilt of the criminal(s), nor the need for accountability. We and the authorities believe there are people in this community and elsewhere, reading this today, who can shed light on what happened to Kelly if they will only reach out and tell someone. With that in mind, we ask you to please contact the Madison, Wisconsin Police Department with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you feel that piece of information may be.
Please tell the police what you saw, what you know, what you heard or what you believe happened to Kelly. Our family realizes that providing this kind of information now may not be easy for you, or that you may be embarrassed or even afraid. But we would ask you to be brave, to examine your consciences and to do the right thing. If you choose, you may remain anonymous, but please provide the information in any way you are able or which makes you most comfortable, by phone, email, letter or in person, but please, provide it.
We are gratified that the Madison Police Department has chosen to remain dedicated in its pursuit of the predator(s) who committed this senseless act of violence against Kelly and to preventing other innocent women from becoming victims.
From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you,
The family and friends of Kelly Nolan