A metro family seeks answers after sister's murder goes unsolved for 11 years

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A metro family is seeking answers after their sister's murder went unsolved for 11 years.

Lori Van Auken, Holly's sister, says 11 years have been too long for her sister's murder to go unsolved.

She's hoping that with new technology, the Oklahoma City Police will be able to find her killer.

"I know it won't bring her back, but we need answers when her kids grow up, which they are, we want to tell them what happened, why it happened, and we can't," said Lori.

In April of 2014, Oklahoma City Police responded to a call that Holly was found dead in her home in Southwest Oklahoma City.

"There was a person who came to check on her, had not heard from her in a day or two… came to check, found her deceased inside the residence," said Msgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police.

In an autopsy report, the cause of death is listed as "multiple sharp force trauma."

The medical examiner found five stab wounds around her head, neck, and hands. The knife was "still embedded in her scalp."

"Our family needs closure," said Lori.

Lori says police collected a small amount of DNA during the initial investigation, and she's hoping advancements in forensic science will finally help close this case.

"I know somebody's got to know something. After 11 years, there's got to be somebody holding that inside them," said Lori.

She says that information is something the family needs to find closure.

"Her son graduated a couple of years ago, and he didn't even get to have his mom there. I mean, that's devastating," said Lori. "Her daughter asked every day about her biological mom, and she says she can feel her around her."

Oklahoma City Police tell News 4 that this is a cold case, and a detective is assigned to the case.

The detective was not available to talk with us today.

The family does have a GoFundMe set up to continue their process in finding answers.