An open murder case that left police baffled for almost two decades has been closed.
On Tuesday, per CBS 4 Miami, Joseph Pollard, 56, was arrested for the brutal stabbing death of 15-year-old Farrah Carter in Miramar, Florida, on May 22, 2002.
Miramar Police Department confirmed that current DNA technology connected Pollard to Farrah’s brutal murder. The man was already in prison for an unrelated case.
“He’s serving a life sentence for kidnapping, robbery, and assault,” said Miramar Detective Joe Tomlin.
People Magazine reported that Farrah had been stabbed and her body mutilated inside her bedroom on that fateful night. Her mother, Kim Battle, discovered her daughter’s body.
Police concluded that the teen had to be acquainted with her killer because there were no signs of forced entry. An investigation also determined that the 15-year-old also fought for her life. Her killer reportedly sustained significant injuries, as indicated by the tremendous amount of blood found at the scene. Subsequently, that evidence was collected and entered into a national database that eventually matched Pollard’s DNA to the crime.
At the time of her death, Farrah was a student at the Hallandale Adult Community Center. She was an aspiring cosmetologist.
According to CBS 4 Miami, Pollard had a history of violence with women. And they are looking for people who may have known him in the past.
Farrah’s mom said living without her daughter hasn’t been easy.
“For many nights after this, I would sit in the living room, in a big chair, hoping that she would come through that door,” Kim told the news outlet as she sobbed. “And still now, for some strange reason, I’m back with the light on in my bedroom.”
The teen’s father, Tony Carter, expressed that he still thinks about his baby girl every day.
“I miss my baby so much. I was at her gravesite on Friday and placed some flowers,” he said. “I told her they captured the guy that did this to her. I pray and wish every day that I was there because I know every time that knife went in her body, she said, ‘Help me, dad! Help me, mom,’ and nobody was there to help her.”
Regarding Pollard’s arrest and first-degree murder charge, Farrah’s family said although they are relieved that someone was finally caught– it doesn’t stop the pain of losing Farrah.
“It’s very pleasing in a sense, but it’s still heartbreaking without her being here to see what her life would have been like, to see the children she would have, as a mother,” Kim said.
