Published: August 22, 2008 09:01 pm      

‘Promising leads’ in Tribble murder, police say

Richmond Police have some “promising leads” in the July murder of Joann Tribble of Richmond.

Police Chief Larry Brock said the case is still under investigation, even if every step of the process is not in the public spotlight.

“All avenues are being explored and the case is by no means being ignored,” Brock said. “Sometimes it may seen that way because there are no public releases of information, but we can’t conduct our investigation in the media and it be successful.”

Tribble, 78, was found July 21 in her home at 107 Teakwood Drive, suffering from severe wounds that the police first believed to have been caused by an accident.

Three days later, Richmond Police verified that reports from the Fayette County Coroner’s Office had ruled the death of a homicide.

“The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide based on evidence that Tribble’s injuries were caused by being struck in the head by an object,” Sgt. Willard Reardon said.

Reardon said the type or nature of the “items” will not be discussed.

“We have evidence at the lab awaiting tests that may provide additional leads,” Brock said. “The investigators have worked this case every day since it happened. We have some promising leads that are being pursued.”

Brock stressed that although new information may not be available every day to the public, the police are always at work.

“We understand that the public has an interest in the case and we share what we can,” Brock said. “But our responsibility to solve a homicide has to take precedence and guide what information we are able to release. We cannot compromise the integrity of the investigation by releasing information or details that could derail our efforts to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice. We owe that to the family of the victim.”

Brock stressed that the victim’s family must be a main priority in the investigation.

“Our investigators speak with Mr. Tribble periodically concerning the case to let him know that we are actively pursuing the investigation.”



Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@richmondregister.com or by phone at 624-6694 or 893-2341.