September 5, 2010

A brutal double homicide remains a mystery on this, the anniversary of the Dolly Madison murders. Now the victim's friends and families are fighting to keep the cold case alive.

For the past eight years, those who knew Mandi Alexander and Mary Drake have been pleading for answers into who killed them. But still, no one is behind bars for the crime. It's something the victim's loved ones say they would give anything to change.

"I would give my life for my sister. I would give my life to give her an answer, and Mrs. Drake," said Alexander's sister Desiree Werth.

Even though eight years have passed since the Dolly Madison murders, time has not eased the pain.

"Each year it gets harder and harder. You think it would get easier, it don't," said Werth.

Because after all these years, authorities still don't know who brutally murdered Mandi Alexander and Mary Drake at a Great Bend bakery in broad daylight, on September 4, 2002.

"I don't really cry anymore like I used to with grief. I cry with anger now, and I think that's what makes it harder," said Werth.

While there's nothing the victim's families and friends can do to bring them back, they're still working to keep the case alive.

"There's somebody out there. They know, they know and they need to come forward," said Alexander's friend Kathye Phelps.

So those who knew and loved Mandi and Mary are doing everything they can to reach that person, so this cold case doesn't slip away unsolved. They've started a MySpace page, taken out ads, and they're still working on several projects.

"She was a good friend to me in life, and I want to be that for her now," said Phelps.

"You gotta keep on going, you gotta keep on going. It's not for you, it's not for somebody else, it's for her," said Werth.

Because those still grieving the Dolly Madison murders say their loved ones deserve to rest in peace.

"Wherever you are, whoever you are, you will be got," said Werth.

Authorities have interviewed hundreds of people in the case but have not made any arrests. The Great Bend Police Department was unavailable for comment Sunday. If you have any information into the case you should call the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-KS-CRIME. There is a $17,000 reward for anyone who has a tip that leads to an arrest.

Friends of Alexander are currently organizing a memorial softball tournament, and are in the process of putting together an amateur documentary to raise awareness about the case. If you would like to get involved you can email MandisCase@plpnt.com