NILES Advocacy group to help family tell story of unsolved killing

The California-based group distributes a newsletter nationwide.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- For almost two years, the family of Jane Kleese has waited for her killer to be identified and brought to justice.
Now, her brother and sisters are hoping a national advocacy group will help them keep the search alive.
Kleese, 35, of Cynthia Street, was found dead Jan. 23, 2002, at the bottom of her basement stairs. Police initially ruled the death an accident, believing Kleese fell because she was on several medications for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
A coroner's investigation, however, revealed she died of asphyxiation and ruled the case a homicide.
No suspects have ever been named and no arrests have been made.
Kleese's story, as told by her siblings, is the cover article in the November newsletter of Citizens Against Homicide, a California-based nonprofit group formed "to create a voice for the survivors and friends of murder victims."
"We want to keep her story out there, so people won't forget her and her killer won't go free," said Janet Price, Kleese's sister.
Decision was easy
The East Palestine woman said the decision to tell Kleese's story was an easy one for family members, who are determined to make sure her killer does not go unpunished.
"The murderer succeeded in taking our Jane's life, but we cannot and will not relent until there is an arrest, trial and conviction of the killer," the family writes in the article.
The newsletter, which is distributed nationwide by CAH, is only one service provided by the group based in San Anselmo.
CAH's objectives include assisting families through the legal system, providing trial and courtroom support to victims, providing information on pending crime legislation and accompanying victims to parole hearings to keep convicted murderers in prison.
The majority of board members of CAH have had a family member murdered, the group's newsletter says.
For information on CAH, call (415) 455-5944, fax to (415) 454-0298 or e-mail vctmsmurdr@aol.com.
Anyone with information on Kleese's death can contact the Niles Police Department at (330) 652-9944.
slshaulis@vindy.com