UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) – A murder mystery continues in Delaware County.
A teenage boy was fatally stabbed almost three months ago. But there are no arrests and few answers about what happened.
RELATED: Community in Upper Darby seeks answers after teen’s fatal stabbing
But on Monday, the boy’s family commemorates him in a special way.
A happy birthday balloon is now attached to a memorial along Bridge Street in Upper Darby honoring the life of Michael Garr, the 15-year-old who was stabbed to death while walking home from a friend’s house in April.
Monday would have been Garr’s 16th birthday.
“Happy birthday, Michael. We love and miss you,” said Michael Peabody, Garr’s uncle.
Some of Garr’s relatives told CBS News Philadelphia that they become more heartbroken with each passing holiday and other life events of not being with him.
“It makes me cry, yes, because we’re not going to celebrate graduation. We’re not going to celebrate him going to college. And it’s important to me that we continue to do that to keep his memory going,” Peabody said.
To do that, Peabody says the family is now creating a nonprofit called “Dream Beyond The Bench,” which will host events to fund a scholarship in his cousin’s name.
“The plan now is to do that in 2025, which would be Michael’s class,” Peabody said.
Peabody says the goal is to provide assistance to college students studying sports-related fields, such as broadcasting and sports medicine.
“I want to keep it that way, to keep Michael alive as best I can,” Peabody said.
But as the police investigation continues, Garr’s family is desperate for answers.
“Nobody should have to go through this,” said Jen Staiber, Garr’s cousin. “No family.”
Police in Upper Darby had no comment Monday and would not answer a number of questions about the investigation, including whether or not there is a known suspect. Police are also investigating a possible motive.
“We will never forget him, and we hope no one does. He was special. He was a special boy,” Staiber said.
Now his uncle wants his cousin’s killer to do the right thing and he has this message:
“I would ask him to do that, turn yourself in, tell the truth so we understand what’s happening,” Peabody said.
The Delaware County Fraternal Police Order is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Matt Petrillo
