The family of a South Dakota mother who was gunned down in front of her children has offered a reward for information in the mysterious murder case.
The Associated Press reports that the family of Melissa Peskey is offering a $10,000 reward for information about her unsolved murder. As CrimeOnline previously reported, Peskey, 40, was traveling on Interstate 70 in Missouri in December when she was fatally shot as her two children were in the backseat of the car.
Based on the autopsy report, authorities believe that the fatal gunshot came from outside of the vehicle. According to KOMU, police initially thought the shooting may have been an accident, they now believe Peskey was killed intentionally.
“This has not been an accident,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott White told the news station.
“This was not an accidental shooting where someone was hunting and accidentally shot across the interstate.”
Although the shooting reportedly resulted in a collision, her children — ages 5 and 11 — were unharmed.
Peskey, a real estate agent, and her children were reportedly traveling to North Carolina for the holidays at the time of the shooting. Peskey’s husband Ryan was not with the family at the time, and told KELOLAND shortly after his wife’s death that he had been considered a person of interest because he did not answer his phone right away when authorities called about his wife’s death.
As KOMU reports, the Missouri Highway Patrol announced the reward on Twitter Friday, noting that the family fundraised to come up with the reward money.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (573) 751-1000.
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