An Iowa mother went missing, her killer then stole her identity to make it look like she was still alive. Her family talks about their persistence to get police to investigate, and the hard work done by law enforcement.
At the 11th Annual Recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week it was a tribute to Cari Farver. Almost 200 people with law enforcement, victims advocates, and attorneys heard from investigators and Farver's family.
In 2012, Farver, 37, went missing in Omaha after not showing up to her job at West Corporation. Pottawattamie County and Douglas County worked together to leave no doubt that Shanna Golyar killed Cari even though her body has never been found.
"It's really a relief, freeing experience to really make them understand that they have a vision of what could've happened or could've been the case but please let me tell you about my daughter so you can understand her and know that's not what happened to her and that's what they finally did, so that was great," said Nancy Raney, Cari's mother.
Last year, a judge sentenced Golyar to life in prison plus 20 years. Initially Farver's disappearance wasn't a high priority because authorities felt she may have still been alive, but her mother's persistence helped urge investigators to take another look.
Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber hopes everyone was able to see how important it is to collaborate and not work inside your own box. For victims he says never give up; if you feel something is off and you're not getting the right attention keep pushing.
