Mystery of who killed EMU student Julia Niswender remains 3 years later

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Julia Niswender.

The question of who killed 23-year-old Julia Niswender remains unanswered, and it's been a long three years for her family.

"Yesterday was the day we think she was murdered, and the 12th tomorrow was the day we actually found her," said Rosemary Niswender, Julia's mother.

The Eastern Michigan University student was found in the bathtub of her off campus apartment, police say she was choked before being put in the tub.

Family members are spending time with each other this weekend to honor her memory.

"It's definitely not the same without her," Rosemary said. "We're just pins and needles, waiting, we just need some kind of resolution."

"None of us can grieve, we have no closure, because you can't grieve, and we need answers."

Julia's stepfather James Turnquist, has been considered a person of interest in the case, but no charges have been filed. That led a divide in the family.

"The family is divided," Rosemary said. "I not only lost my Julia, but I lost my other children, grandchildren, as a result because of the differences."

"When I think of our family dynamics is one: justice for Julia," said Jim Niswender, Julia's grandfather. "She's the one that was murdered. That should be the first and ultimate goal for the family, and for some reason, our children have split on the issue."

FOX 2 also spoke with Julia's mother on the phone and she said she is remembering her daughter by visiting her grave and spending time with loved ones.

Her grandmother says investigators are making progress in the case.

"I do know there are several people they're looking at," she said.