LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On the 12th anniversary of Bryan Lewis death, his mother, Rhonda Mars says there is still no signs of why the 21-year-old was killed in their home on October 20, 2012.
"The longer it goes, the harder it gets for me," Mars said.
She recounts the tragic night of his death.
"Gave him a kiss and a hug," she said. "Told him I loved him and went on to bed."
She said at 2 a.m., she heard gun shots.
Lewis was shot seven times.
"By the time I got up and out of the bed and into the living room, he was by the front door -- dead," Mars said.
She said she's trying to hold out hope, but it's a tough ask.
"I've kind of lost hope," Mars said. "After 12 years, I ask myself every year: Why do you keep doing it? Why do you keep continuing this? Why do I keep putting myself through it? But, at the end of the day that's all I have left."
She said she's begging for anyone to come forward with information in exchange for a $10,000 reward.
"We've had it 12 years," she said. "Sitting in the bank, just waiting for someone to come and collect it."
She said she hopes to finally find closure.
"I tell myself every year that this is the year," she added.
Pam Lewis is his paternal aunt.
"When you go this long, and nobody can tell you anything, it's probably one of the most frustrating things I've ever had to deal with in my life," Lewis said.
It's a cold case, and Mars said without answers, she sometimes fears leaving her home.
"I get scared to go outside," Mars said. "For a long time, I wouldn't go outside. Over the years, I've learned to go do what I have to do and come home."
Yearning for answers over a decade later, the family says they want justice now.
LMPD's Cold Case Unit is handling the investigation.
Anyone with information should call the anonymous tip line at 574-LMPD, or utilize the online Crime Tip Portal.
► Contact reporter Alexandra Goldberg at agoldberg@whas11.com, X or Instagram.