JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dec. 12, 2019 marks two years since police said a baby girl and her parents were murdered in their Jacksonville home.
Still, there have been no arrests for the triple murder on India Avenue that captivated our community -- so this family is pleading for answers.
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“They didn’t care that she was in there sleeping,” said Ariyan Johnson’s mother, Yaisa Richardson. “They didn’t care. They still did what they did for whatever reason.”
“It was given to me by one of my friends,” Richardson said, showing Action News Jax a candle dedicated to her daughter, Ariyan Johnson, and granddaughter, Arielle Trotter.
“It was horrible,” Richardson said. “I love my daughter, but that’s what hurt me the most, my granddaughter.”
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Investigators discovered the family’s Christmas tree was on fire in their home.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Arielle died of smoke inhalation while her parents, Ariyan and Quasean Trotter, were shot and killed.
JSO said it did not find signs of forced entry into the home.
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“All three of them, they didn’t deserve it. And especially my grand-baby,” Richardson said. “She wasn’t going to know anything. She couldn’t have known anything.”
JSO has not announced any arrests or suspects, but said on Wednesday that this is still an active investigation, not a cold case.
First Coast Crime Stoppers told Action News Jax it has received 11 tips, total.
They said four came in December 2017, and the rest were spread out over 2018.
They say one hasn’t come in since August of that year.
Still, Richardson said she won’t give up hope.
“Are you afraid the case will go cold?” Action News Jax Reporter Russell Colburn asked.
“No,” Richardson said. “I’m not even speaking that into existence. I know whoever did it is going to get caught. I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I know they will get caught.”
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