BLUE ASH, Ohio. (WKRC) – It’s been a year and a week since Michael Needham was murdered outside his Blue Ash tree trimming business and the case remains unsolved. A vigil took place Sunday at Hunt Park, not far from where Needham was found stabbed to death.
In the past year, Crime Stoppers has increased the reward to $2,500 and the Needham family is now putting up $30,000 of its own money for information that leads to a conviction.
“He’s a loving person, he cared for everybody,” Michael’s brother, John, said. “There isn't anyone that anyone can even think about that had it out for him.”
At the vigil, the crowd stood silent in prayer for nearly an hour.
“Michael is still gone but we are still here, we still miss him and we still want justice,” John Needham said.
Both the family and police say someone knows something about the crime. Blue Ash Police did speak to the person seen on a surveillance video released last year, but that person has been ruled out putting the investigation back at square one.
“The last year has been hell. It was something that I never realized I would have to fill is the space that he took up,” John Needham said. “What do you replace Michael with? And there's' nothing. And that's what was taken away and that's why we are doing what we are doing right now. “
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
