Police Hope Public Can Help Solve Cold Case

Sandra Yi ReportingMAGNA — Tammy Martinez: "Nothing's been found, nothing's been heard, and nobody's been saying nothing."

It's a murder mystery that police hope the public can help solve. Last year Jason Royter was beaten and stabbed to death in his home. It's been a tough year for Tammy Martinez.

Tammy Martinez: "It's terrible. I get anxieties, I get stress, I lost my job."

Her life changed on August 6th, 2005 when she found her boyfriend's body in their basement. Jason Royter had been beaten and stabbed. There were signs of a struggle in nearly every room.

Tammy Martinez, Victim's Girlfriend: "There was so much blood everywhere, and I still have nightmares of it, of his eyes and blood everywhere."

Police believe Royter knew his attacker; there were no signs of forced entry. But numerous interviews of relatives and friends didn't lead anywhere. Martinez, who dated Royter for five years, has no answers.

Tammy Martinez: "He was a sweet man, I mean, we had our times, everybody does. He loved the pond, he made a pond in the back of my yard, he was a good guy."

Police can't say if the motive was robbery, but they know the attacker took some things from the home. Neither police nor Royter's girlfriend, will say what they are.

Lt. Paul Jaroscak, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "Whether those were actually the reason for the altercation and his death, hard to tell."

They're turning to the public for help. Tammy Martinez hopes new leads will put the case and the man she loves to rest.

Tammy Martinez: "I just wish somebody had a heart and say something is what I wish, you know, let him be."

Police say the public can be invaluable in an unsolved case like this. Criminals sometimes talk and someone may overhear a confession.

If you have any information that can help police, call the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

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