For more than nine months, Sylvia Anderson has kept a single candle lit inside her Murfreesboro home.
"It will burn until we get justice for him," she says.
The candle burns for her grandson, 21-year-old Torrey Anderson. Torrey lived with her in North Carolina and commuted daily up to Smithfield, where he worked. Syliva says the flame is a constant reminder that Torrey’s killer is still on the streets.
"I pray that I won't have to buy these candles again because when the candles stop burning that will mean that they've found justice," Sylvia says.
Torrey's body was found in Carrollton early in the morning on February 12th. Isle of Wight investigators say Torrey died from a gunshot wound, his body burned beyond recognition, lying next to his charred car.
"I hope he didn't suffer," says Torrey’s mother, Tamira Anderson.
Just like the candle, Tamira says Torrey’s future was bright. She says he had dreams of starting a heating and air business.
He applied for an HVAC program at Paul D. Camp Community College. The acceptance letter came a few weeks after he was killed.
"It was horrible when I opened that letter knowing how excited he would have been," Sylvia says.
"It was going to happen for him. But then someone just took his life away," Tamira says.
Investigators still aren't sure where Torrey died and they say interviews have turned up empty.
With no answers, his family can only hope that someone will come forward.
"There's going to be someone missing at the dinner table,” Sylvia says. “There's going to be someone missing around the tree. "
"Christmas is coming up and my biggest gift is to have someone in custody on Christmas day," Tamira says.
If you have any information, take action and call the Crimeline at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers will remain anonymous.
