Mother Ruby Robertson, seated, clutches a reward sign seeking information about the murder of her son, Dave, almost three years ago. Surrounding her are surviving children Kenny Robertson, Faye Jordan, Danny and Curtis Robertson and Debbie Bogle.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a three-part series about the effect of an unsolved murder on a family and the investigators and the elements needed to prosecute a murder.
Mother Ruby Robertson can’t endure the chronic pain of not knowing who murdered her son almost three years ago.
Son Dave Robertson, 56, suffered a fatal gunshot wound April 6, 2004 while standing outside his Bradyville Pike home. He was a well-known building contractor in Rutherford County. His murder remains unsolved.
His frail mother, now 87, mourns daily and prays daily to know who killed her son and why. The unanswered questions overwhelm her.
“Lord, I can’t take it like this. Help me,” Mrs. Robertson prayed as her voice cracked with emotion. “I finally turned it over to the Lord. That’s the only way to have peace.”
But peace doesn’t come.
Mrs. Robertson and her five surviving children spent a Saturday afternoon describing how their popular brother’s death still impacts them.
They still feel a sense of loss, a void in his place. They miss him, especially during family gatherings.
The family lost more than his presence. Because of his manner of death, they lost their sense of trust, security and safety in their own homes.
His mother and brother Danny Robertson especially believe many people who knew Robertson might be responsible for his death and find themselves making silent accusations.
Ruby Robertson finally had to let go.
Danny Robertson hasn’t.
“Anybody in town is a suspect,” Danny Robertson said with an edge to his voice. “I don’t care who they are.”
Sharing memories
They smile while recalling some of their favorite memories of their brother.
Danny Robertson remembers how he dressed as Santa Claus the Christmas before his death.
His sisters, Faye Jordan and Debbie Bogle, recall how they spent hours shopping for the perfect Christmas present for their mother — and how Dave would take all the credit.
And their mother still catches herself expecting Dave to waltz into her home to take her out to lunch.
They relied on the serious side of their brother for advice. Because he built houses, they often asked him about buying new homes.
Jordan can’t imagine how anyone would want to hurt her fun-loving, charming brother.
“Who would kill Dave?” Jordan asked, and then added, “He could definitely talk you out of it.”
Bogle said her family was close before the murder, but dealing with the loss brought them even closer together and allowed them to value each other more.
Becoming involved
The family actively strives to keep Robertson’s murder from fading from people’s minds in hopes someone will provide some answers.
Since his death, the family and friends offered a $60,000 reward. Although sheriff’s detectives still get calls and follow leads, no arrest has been made.
The family passed out more than 60,000 flyers with Robertson’s picture and information about his murder in Rutherford and surrounding counties. They wear shirts and drive cars with Robertson’s picture and information attached.
They hosted candlelight services, helped build and stock a Habitat for Humanity home in his memory, consulted with a psychic and placed wreaths at the annual Tennessee “Season to Remember” ceremony for survivors at the state Capitol each Christmas season.
But the family still has no answers.
Coping with murder
Jordan and her husband, Robert, shared a driveway with Dave and visited with him almost every day. They returned home April 6, 2004 to find him lying near the driveway. They called 911 for help.
She’s haunted by ifs.
“If I had been home that morning,” Jordan said, stopping in mid-sentence. “Maybe I would have been on the front porch.”
Had she been home, Jordan thought her brother might still be alive.
Jordan still searches for bullets and shell casings in her yard, hoping to find evidence that might solve the case.
“How could this happen right here?” she asked with no answer. “We still can’t believe it.”
Dave Robertson survived a tour of Vietnam and a bout with cancer. She can’t understand why someone took his life intentionally.
“Dave just couldn’t die — not like that,” she said.
“It’s just aged us,” Jordan said. “It’s tested us all.”
Sister Debbie Bogle agreed.
“It’s aged us all,” Bogle said. “We used to be very trusting.”
Jordan’s daughter, Sharon, her husband, David Picklesimer, and two sons, Josh, 11, and Ethan, 10, live beside the Jordans. They too were close to Dave Robertson who often picked up the boys from school and treated them at McDonald’s.
Josh and Ethan still fight about wearing a pair of Dave’s shoes that they can’t fill.
Since the murder occurred on spring break, teacher David Picklesimer and his sons were home when Robertson was killed but they didn’t hear or see anyone.
Picklesimer wishes he paid more attention that day.
Sharon Picklesimer described Robertson’s murder as a “bad movie. It’s scary trying to determine what is reality. Am I in denial? That really couldn’t have happened.”
Her son Ethan frequently writes about his uncle or death when writing at school. His teacher believes the writing may be good therapy for him.
Robert Jordan recalled a troubling conversation he had with Ethan shortly after the murder.
Ethan said he expected he would live longer than his older brother Josh “unless someone shoots me in the back,” Jordan remembered. “He was worried about dying.”
They considered moving away but couldn’t because Faye Jordan felt she was leaving her brother.
Brother Curtis Robertson said he continually feels the loss of his brother.
“There’s not a day that goes by I don’t think about it,” he said.
His doctor asked about the status of the case and if he minded people asking questions.
He replied he doesn’t mind people asking him because he knows people are still concerned.
Danny Robertson welcomes the questions even from co-workers who hesitate to revive his loss.
“Thank you for asking but ask anytime,” Danny Robertson tells people.
When people ask, the family knows people still care.
Will the murder be solved?
“Absolutely,” answered Bogle. “It keeps me going.”
But before someone is charged and prosecuted, Bogle wants the case to be exact so it’s not overturned on a technicality.
Sheriff’s Detective Randy Groce is the lead investigator with help from Detective Mark Di Nardo.
The family requested the help of Tennessee Bureau of Investigation last year. TBI Agent Jason Wilkerson reviewed the case and is working with the sheriff’s detectives following leads.
With the reward and appeals from the family, younger brother Kenny Robertson said he can’t believe someone hasn’t come forward with information.
“It’s always open ended,” Kenny Robertson said. “There’s no closure.”
He feels guilty because he can’t do anything to help.
“He gave so much to us,” Kenny Robertson said. “I wish I could have done something for him. He’s just very much missed by this family. We never thought this would happen to our family.”
Curtis Robertson described the investigation as building a puzzle. Someone with information might have a piece of the puzzle that will solve the case.
“The whole family appeals for any help at all,” Curtis Robertson said.
People who have any bits of information may call Groce at 898-7900.
Ruby Robertson pleaded for help.
“It takes part of us away,” the mother said. “Some days it’s harder than others.”
She prays someone will provide information to relieve the grieving family.
“I’ve asked the Lord over and over what happened to Dave and why,” Ruby Robertson said as she fights back tears. “I’m still waiting for an answer. Sometimes I don’t think we’ll ever know but I pray we do.”
Part Two: Detective Randy Groce will describe the effect the investigation has on him.
Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.
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