Donations to Crime Stoppers Increase Rewards in Three Unsolved Crimes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Two recent murders and the sexual attack of a woman in Riverside last month have resulted in anonymous donations to increase the rewards that First Coast Crime Stoppers can offer anyone with information in those crimes.

The Crime Stopper reward in connection with the death of 7-year-old Somer Thompson now stands at $15,000, following an anonymous donation of $10,000 from an individual.

Somer disappeared two weeks ago on her way home from Grove Park Elementary School in Orange Park. Her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill. So far, police have received more than 2,000 leads.

The Riverside Community donated $4,000 for information about a woman who was sexually attacked on Oct. 9. The suspects rear-ended the bicycle she was riding and then sexually assaulted the woman. Police believe three juveniles are responsible for that crime, but lack any solid leads to identify them.

Ryan Backmann's father, Clifford, was murdered Oct. 10 while working at a construction job site on the Southside.

"Everybody out there has a dad. Put yourself in my position," Backmann said. 

The reward to capture his killer is up to $11,000 after a $10,000 donation. The victim was able to call 911 prior to his death and give police vague information on his killer.

"We have a hard time sleeping...you know, wake up jerking, have dreams, nightmares," Backmann said.  "The worst thing that happened to me is that I woke up and thought it was a dream, and it did not happen and then the reality hit me that it did."

To contact Crime Stoppers, call 1-866-845-TIPS, email rewards@fccrimestoppers.com or text TIPS # 326.

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