"We wanted to tell the Katelyn Markham story … let the world understand how wonderful she truly was," said Michael Crisp, who directed the documentary. "We hope the film sheds some light on Katelyn's case and makes it not a cold case anymore."
Markham, a 22-year-old art student, disappeared five years ago this month. Her skeletal remains were found three years ago in Indiana, but her homicide case remains unsolved.
Crisp said he did not form opinions in making the film, and it does not draw a conclusion.
“I certainly have got my suspicions, but in this film we remain neutral,” he said. “We put out a lot of facts and let the audience kind of decide what they think. The fact of the matter is after five years, there have been no official arrests, no official people of interest and as of now everyone does deserve to be treated fairly. The film will help shed some light on the vast array of suspects who could be out there.”
The documentary, which is about 60 minutes long, is a narrative of the investigation that has included Fairfield Police, Indiana State Police, the Butler County Sheriff's Office and two private investigators.
A $100,000 reward for information about Katelyn’s disappearance and death has apparently not turned up any solid leads.
Dave Markham, Katelyn’s father, said he is “shocked” the reward has not “shaken anything up.”
Dave Rader, founder of the Ohio Chapter of Texas Equusearch, a group that organized searches for Katelyn, attended the premiere with the hope it would help bring closure to Dave Markham.
“We found Katelyn, but the thing is he needs closure on who did this,” Rader said. “It is keeping Katelyn’s name out there. I hope (those responsible for Markham’s death) are seeing this and they know and they can’t live with themselves. I hope they are sitting there reliving that night and can’t sleep.”
People in attendance at the Springdale theater included many interviewed for the film, people from the community who searched for Markham for months, friends and Butler County residents who were curious about the case.
“It was thought provoking,” said Mary Gametetter, of West Chester Twp., who has been following the case.
John Sadler, of Oregonia, said the film brought up a lot of good points and put some things together, but in the end, “it is still a mystery.”
Crisp, of Remix Films in Georgetown, Ky., said he intends in the near future to put the film on YouTube, so it can be viewed online.
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