The unsolved 2008 murder of Ball State employee Garth Rector will never become a cold case if his family and friends can help it. They are trying to raise awareness for other violent crimes by organizing a concert and memorial walk in his honor.
Garth Fest, an outdoor concert organized by Rector's family and friends, will take place Sunday at Morrow's Meadow in Yorktown at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 and will feature local musical talents Cook and Belle, Seth Cook, Remedy, Reminisce Band, and Greg and Heather Rhodes. Carter's Nearly World Famous Hot Dogs will be at the festival as well.
"We're planning an afternoon of great music and good food with the hopes that we can have the opportunity to share our memories of Garth with others as well as maybe jog someone's memory of what they might have seen or heard in regards to Garth's murder," Angie Mock, Rector's sister's, said in a press release. "Somebody out there knows who did this and we're hoping that they'll still do the right thing and come forward."
In its first year, Garth Fest raised $10,000 in reward money for information about the murder. The money this year will go towards sponsoring Garth Walk, an event that has brought families of other violent crimes together.
The event has been sponsored by Mock with support from local businesses and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department. The first Garth Fest was in 2008 and the family-sponsored Garth Walk started the following year.
"It's not just about Garth. It's about everyone who belongs to this awful club that nobody wants to be a part of," Mock said.
Last year's Garth Walk was an emotional experience for the 210 attendees, Mock said. After the walk, families and friends of violent crime victims were given small note cards to write a message attached to a balloon.
The balloons were released while the song "I Can Only Imagine" played. The crowd was completely silent and many cried, Mock said. Mock said there are plans to have another balloon releasing ceremony at this year's Garth Walk, which will be Oct. 2 outside of Muncie Central High School.
"This is my way of fighting back," Mock said. "I write letters, I organize events, and I try to reach out."
Rector was employed by Ball State and worked at Woodworth Complex on the loading dock. He was found shot inside his house after coming back from work March 21, 2008. Investigator Kurt Walthour said after a two-year investigation, the Delaware County Sheriff's Office has made significant progress on finding the murderer.
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