Closure After Murder Hard to Find, Mother Says

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- As the town of Weleetka pauses to remember the two girls murdered outside of town just one year ago investigators will keep searching for any clue that could lead them to whoever fired the fatal shots.

One year later, it will certainly be a difficult day for Skylar and Taylor's families. One mother knows that all-too-well and she shared her advice on how to get through the anniversary.

Maggie Zingman met with one victim's mother six months ago and at that memorial they were able to support each other. But they also made a deeper connection, one based on losing a child to violent crime.

"I still cry almost every day, if not every other day because I do feel like I can laugh and smile about all the things I remember about her too," Zingman said.

Maggie Zingman remembers her little girl's long blond curls, her loving smile, her princess. Five years ago, her daughter Brittany Phillips was raped and murdered in Tulsa and to this day the killer is still on the loose.

"I guess it's the hole inside you and the lost of the child that never changes, but you fill it partially with different thing to honor them," Zingman said.

She now travels the country in a caravan in her never tiring fight to campaign for tougher DNA laws. Zingman said the first year anniversary of the death is the toughest.

"That first year is just such shock and none of it is real at all," Zingman said. "And when you hit the first anniversary it's almost as if the reality really hits home and each year you learn to live with it, but the anniversary almost brings it all home again."

This mother doesn't believe there is such thing as closure, even when justice is served.

"I do believe that if you allow yourself to cry to grieve over it, then you don't carry this weight," Zingman said. "Let the feelings be there because if you grieve it allows the memories to be there, the good memories."

While keeping the memories at bay, Zingman is hoping and praying for the Weleetka families.

"I do not wish for them to be in the same place as I am which is heading up to five years. I know there's families who've waited longer than I have. It's a hard thing," Zingman said.

Zingman said she hopes Monday's press conference in Weleetka could help solve the murder. As for her search for answers in her daughter's death, it is far from over. She is planning another cross-country trip in a few weeks.

Extended Coverage: Tragedy in Weleetka