OSBI: Suspects Being Investigated 2 Years after Weleetka Girls' Death

Staff and Wire Reports

WELEETKA, Oklahoma -- Tuesday marks the two year anniversary of the shooting deaths of two young girls who were found shot to death near Weleetka, in Okfuskee County.

Law enforcement officials held a press conference to update the progress of the investigation and urged the public to come forward with information in the shooting deaths of 13-year-old Taylor Paschal-Placker and 11-year-old Skyla Jade Whitaker.

"We think that there is someone out there who will know something," said Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook. "That person may be unsure as to what he or she can and may do in this situation and there are a lot of unanswered questions. I want to assure that person who has some information about what happened here two years ago that took the life of Skyla and Taylor that we can answer questions."

OSBI spokesperson Jessica Brown said the case is still open and active. Brown said they have several suspects who investigators have been following for months, but still have not made any arrests. She would not give any other details about the suspects or if they are any closer to solving the crime.

"We've always had people that we were focusing on at the time," Brown said. "What we do when you have a suspect is you go through the information, you try to find out the most you can about that person, what relationship they might have had to this area."

The families of the girls were at the memorial site. Taylor's father, Pete Placker, said it was hard for him to visit the crime scene and is mad no one has come forward with information.

"People don't understand how hard it is for me to come out here," Pete Placker said. "Every time I come out here I still see two little girls…something that should never have happened. We need this thing solved. If somebody knows something they need to come up and say something about it. They don't even have to say who they are."

The Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook said anyone can call his office if they have questions or information. The public can also call the OSBI at 1(800)522-8017.

A reward of more than $163,000 is being offered.