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Survivor continues to heal decades after her family s prom night murder
More than three decades after the 1989 murders of her mother, stepfather and two sisters, Jessi Toronjo shares her emotional journey from a scared child to a woman intent on maintaining justice for her family. 2021 Jul 03
This story previously aired on August 15, 2020.
Jessi Toronjo was just 9 years old when she returned from a sleepover at a friend s house to find out her mother, stepfather and two sisters were murdered in their Lakeville, Indiana, home. Police immediately suspected Jessica s stepbrother Jeff Pelley, but it would take 13 years to arrest him. The motive? Prosecutors say the then-17-year-old Pelley wiped out his family in anger at not being able to drive to his prom. Pelley was ultimately convicted, but the case continues to wind its way through the courts.
Healing continues decades after family s prom night murders Jim Axelrod
This story previously aired on August 15, 2020.
Jessi Toronjo was just 9 years old when she returned from a sleepover at a friend s house to find out her mother, stepfather and two sisters were murdered in their Lakeville, Indiana, home. Police immediately suspected Jessica s stepbrother Jeff Pelley, but it would take 13 years to arrest him. The motive? Prosecutors say the then-17-year-old Pelley wiped out his family in anger at not being able to drive to his prom. Pelley was ultimately convicted, but the case continues to wind its way through the courts.