Police turn to hotline for help

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - It has been nearly four months since Judith Claypool was found murdered in her Monticello home. Now, White County investigators are teaming up with the WeTip Hotline to solve the case.

For Lynn Bonfils, the murder of her neighbor, 67-year-old Judith Claypool, is still overwhelming. On December 29th police discovered Claypool's body in her home at 2352 Sullivan Court. Her car was found abandoned in a neighbor's front yard. Police believe her death was the result of a home invasion.

"It just hurts inside to think about what happened to Judy. She was a special lady. Just looking at our little avenue here, it's really scary because why did they pick on Judy's house," Bonfils said.

The Tippecanoe County Prosecutor is offering the use of the WeTip Hotline to White County for this case.  Prosecutor Bob Guy says anyone with information about the murder of 67-year-old Judith Claypool can call the anonymous WeTip Hotline. Guy is hopeful a new billboard on Sixth Street in Monticello will encourage those with information to come forward.

"You never know until that information is provided whether that is going to be the link to establish the information that is going to lead to an arrest. So we encourage people to continue to provide information," Guy said.

Guy said investigators are looking into leads and waiting on lab results from forensic evidence.

"There is information that we're trying to keep outside of the community and realm of the media--not to withhold information, but we believe that information could potentially jeopardize the investigation," Guy said.

For now, friends and family continue to wait for answers--questioning how this could happen.

"The idea that evil can't happen in our town is unrealistic anymore. It does happen," Bonfils said.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. WeTip is offering a $1,000 reward for the successful arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the crime. Since January, Monticello community members have offered a $10,000 reward.