JACKSONVILLE, N.C.- (WNCT) Jacksonville Police and the FBI Charlotte Field Office are still seeking any information involving the murder of Jenna Franks in 2021.<\/p>\n
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to those responsible for the trans woman\u2019s death five years ago where her body was found along Ellis Blvd. and White St.<\/p>\n
Franks\u2019s sister Jessica Wilson says she lost her best friend that day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeeks before she come up missing and stuff, she called me and told me, \u2018if anything ever happens to me, Jessie, just know that I didn\u2019t commit suicide and I didn\u2019t overdose,’\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
Wilson said Franks moved to Jacksonville with her in 2018 so she could live her life more openly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was my sibling. I didn\u2019t care if she wanted to be a trans woman or a man or whatever,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI tried to show as much support as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps says they are still investigating the case five years later.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve exhausted all leads that we have at this time,\u201d Phelps said. \u201cWhen we have anniversaries like this, stories like this, it\u2019s always good to put it back fresh in people\u2019s minds, because this is a very transient community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelps describes the lapse in time as a double edge sword.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe longer it takes, the less leads that we have for that, but it also gives technology more opportunity to advance so that we can hopefully submit something else that will come back and give us a different type of perspective on it or different lead on this,\u201d Phelps said.<\/p>\n
Wilson says she feels hopeless.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like if Jenna was not gay or Jenna had the perfect life that they would be on top of it and doing more,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
Information related to the case be given to the FBI at 704-672-6100 or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273<\/p>\n
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