Murder Mystery: Brutal killing of lawyer in his office has family dealing with decade of pain

AUBURN -- The murder of an attorney inside his office in 2004 remains unsolved, but investigators believe someone still has the missing information they need to catch his killer. “My dad was a very kind person, he was very gentle,” remembers Amanda Messer. She and her sister Stephanie say 57-year old William Messer was a loving father of three and loved being an attorney. “He was very funny, quick witted, enjoyed to laugh, had jokes, was kind of an entertainer,” Stephanie said. But on April 12th, 2004 William Messer was brutally murdered while working late at his office in Auburn. Auburn police Det. Bill Sundqvist says, “His fiancé wasn’t able to get a hold of him at 7:00pm and got worried about him. She came down about 10:00pm to check on him, and his car was parked right here in this parking lot. She went up to the door of this business and knocked on the door and noticed right away there was blood on the inside of the window and on the blinds.” Det. Sundqvist explains,“There was a fight. There was a struggle. It appears that Mr. Messer was seated at one of his desks when he was likely approached by one of the suspects. And, following that, appears to have been a very aggressive fight where Mr. Messer was probably trying to defend himself, climbing over desks and knocking over computers, that sort of thing.” Messer was a bankruptcy attorney so the initial list of suspects was a long one. “He had a lot of clients who, when they came to him, they were on their last legs whether it be financially or in their marriage, so they were almost in crisis when they would come to him,” Det. Sundqvist said. But, as a client was leaving Messer’s office that evening, he saw a man police have never been able to identify. Someone they say was there moments before the murder. “As that individual was leaving the office, he did see a car he described as a Datsun or Toyota type car compact 4-door, grey in color. The man got out of the car, carrying some paperwork. He was not white, he was either Hispanic or possibly Asian. He met with Mr. Messer outside the front door and went into the office with Mr. Messer. We have not over the years been able to identify who that man was,” Det. Sundqvist commented. Detectives do have evidence that was left at the scene they say could identify the killer. They just need a small piece to complete this puzzle and are hoping, along with his family, that someone comes forward and closes this case. “April 12th was the ten year anniversary," said Stephanie. "And, I think we would just all like to see a resolution to this, have somebody held accountable.” Amanda Messer solemnly added, “He had a family, he was loved and he’s very missed. Coming just from me, he deserves justice and no one deserves what happened to him.” If you have information about this crime, call an anonymous tip into: CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest. CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers