By Eileen Buckley
Clarence, NY – The family of Joan Diver family issued a statement Monday in an attempt to provide information and clear up some misunderstandings.
They say they are hurt by some misinformation that appears to be circulating. The 45 year old woman was strangled along the Clarence-Newstead bike path after she disappeared September 29th. Her body was found two days later.
The family says one of the misunderstanding's concerns the search of Diver's vehicle. Last week authorities had said that the husband, Steven Diver, was not being cooperative in a request for a second search. But the family says the Erie County Sheriff's department had searched, inventoried and tested the vehicle on September 30th and had the spare keys. The family was unclear why any consent was needed for another search.
The Diver family also wanted to clear up what they call confusion about DNA evidence. Reports surfaced last week that Mr. Diver was not willing to provide a DNA sample. But the statement says Steven Diver will willingly provide his DNA for the investigation.
As investigators continues to search for clues to track down a suspect in the murder of Diver, a reward fund leading to an arrest is growing. A Clarence businessman stepped forward to establish a reward fund in an attempt to lead authorities to the killer of Joan Diver. Dean Penman, who owns Seal and Design a manufacturing company in Clarence, says the reward has now grown to a little over a $100,000.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Eileen Buckley's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.