$5,000 reward in year-old Delaware County murder case
SECANE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A $5,000 reward is now being offered in a woman's murder last year in Secane, Delaware County.
The money is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who murdered Markia Benson.
"She was young, she was vibrant, she was intelligent. At 36, she had accomplished more than most and had her whole life ahead of her," her sister, Monique, said at a news conference on Thursday.
Benson, 36, died from blunt and sharp force head and neck injuries, the medical examiner said, complicated by immersion and extensive scald burns. Benson's body was found under a running hot shower.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said Thursday that the person who killed her is an "animal."
Benson was found around 4:45 p.m. on March 30, 2016 at the New Orleans Park apartment complex in the 900 block of South Avenue in Secane.
According to investigators, Benson was last seen the night before getting out of her car. Her mother heard from her the next morning via text message, but that was the last anyone heard from her.
Later that morning both a friend and a co-worker became concerned about her well-being and arrived at Benson's apartment around the same time. They were let in by the manager, and found the body in the bathtub.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Upper Darby Police at 610-734-7693.
"Please reach out to these detectives and help us not only bring closure - because I don't that that is even an option for us, because it won't bring her back - but hopefully this doesn't happen to another family and they don't have to suffer what we are suffering," Monique Benson said.
"We are asking members of the apartment complex to refresh their recollection, to take themselves back a year ago today, anything suspicious, any suspicious vehicles pulling in or pulling out," said Det. William Sminkey.
