FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
# “We Know How Mariah Died”: Family Speaks Out as Questions Swirl in Teen’s Unsolved Murder
BLOOMINGTON, IL – Six months after the brutal death of 16-year-old Mariah Klutz, her family is breaking their silence, revealing disturbing details about the night she died and accusing law enforcement of dragging their feet in a case they believe has a clear suspect.
In an exclusive interview, the teen’s aunt, Haley Nelson, told this station that the family has been left in the dark, fed conflicting stories, and is now desperate for answers.
“They told us, ‘Oh, somebody beat her up a few days ago.’ Then, weeks later, they said she died of a 𝒹𝓇𝓊𝑔 overdose,” Nelson said, recounting the shifting narratives provided by those who were in the home with Mariah. “They said her vape was laced with fentanyl.
But Mariah didn’t do drugs like that.”
The family’s worst fears were confirmed when they finally viewed the teen’s body. The scene was horrific.
“Her eyes were black. Her skull was disfigured,” Nelson described. “When we turned and looked at her laying there, we were not prepared.”
According to police reports, the 911 call came in at 10:46 p. m. on February 7th.
When the family arrived at the trailer park minutes later, they were met by officers who declared the scene a crime scene and ordered them away. Mariah’s father has declined to comment on the record.
For months, the family says they were told to remain quiet to allow the investigation to proceed. But with no arrests made, they are now speaking out.
“Investigators have told us they have two primary suspects. Promises of an arrest coming, yet no arrests have been made,” Nelson said, her voice breaking. “We stayed quiet because we wanted to give law enforcement the time and space to investigate.
Now, nearly 6 months later, our 16-year-old still has no justice.”
Retired homicide detective Will Spelar, who now hosts the YouTube podcast Big City Crime, says the lack of public information is a red flag.
“There are two possibilities: either they are holding their cards very close to the vest to build a solid case, or they have nothing,” Spelar said. “The fact that the family is being told conflicting stories about the cause of death—from a beating to an overdose—suggests a chaotic scene and potentially compromised evidence.”
This station filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the autopsy report and 911 call. Both requests were denied, with officials citing the ongoing investigation.
“They don’t want us to know,” Nelson said. “But we know how she died. We saw her.
Now we need to know who did this to her.”
As the family waits for justice, they are clinging to one memory: a vibrant 16-year-old who loved the freedom of Illinois but was planning to move back to Florida to escape a troubled home life.
“She wanted to go home,” Nelson said. “She never made it.”
The Bloomington Police Department has not returned repeated calls for comment. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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This is a developing story. Stay with 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓁 for updates.
