Pictured: Joyce Petrie in happier days with daughter Dawn, son John (right) and son Todd (left).
SooToday.com has received the following letter from Joyce Petrie, mother of Todd Petrie.
She's pleading with the people of Sault Ste. Marie to help solve the mystery of her beloved son's murder.
Todd's body was discovered last February in his Albert Street apartment where he died of blunt force trauma.
Joyce will stop at nothing to find answers, stating she'll offer a sizable reward for information that will help investigators solve her son's homicide.
That is the day Todd's body was found, murdered, in an apartment at 142 East Albert Street.
During the many years Todd lived in SSM, I as his mother, visited on several occasions.
Some visits were a pleasant experience, and some opened my eyes to the undercurrent of drug activity in the city.
Some of those visits kept me up at night.
After Todd's murder I came to realize that newspapers are in the business of selling papers.
Todd's murder gave the newspapers the opportunity to dig deep into the worst of Todd, and failed to reveal the good qualities, and there were many.
To those of you who knew Todd, it is my hope you will remember the side of him that we as a family cherish.
I have had many e-mails from people who knew Todd and their support has helped us as a family.
I am not by any means supporting Todd's choices in life, but in all fairness; no one deserves to be murdered, that is not a choice.
The reason for writing to the residents of Sault Ste Marie is to reach out and ask you to help me in solving Todd's murder.
Just one small clue can help solve this.
Someone knows what happened.
I suspect the code on the street is clear, that a rat will be severely dealt with.
The problem with that scenario is that the intimidation and bullying is short-lived, and one day you will be accountable for your unwillingness to help a fellow human being.
The person that did this is very dangerous to you, and others around you.
The drug world is ruthless at best, and a far cry from normal everyday living that we like to believe exists.
Getting someone off the streets who is not only dangerous to everyone he/she comes into contact with, but one that sees no value in a human life is my goal, and I truly believe there is somebody out there who can help me.
The drug population in Sault Ste. Marie is ongoing and thriving.
From my experiences there, it appears slumlords are allowed to rent to people that have no other choice but to live in areas that are drug infested.
Specifically the Albert Street East area.
I have come to learn that affordable housing is at a minimum or non-existent for residents in need in Sault Ste. Marie.
I walked the Albert Street area, it was obvious to me that there is a safety issue.
There is no honor among drug addicts.
Their world consists of self-preservation, addiction, lying, stealing and cheating.
I am appealing to those who find it in their hearts to help give some meaning to Todd's life, and to end my torment.
I am offering a sizable reward to anyone that gives that one small clue that leads to an arrest.
To those in the drug world, that would put a sizable amount of drugs on the table?
Or, the reward I'm offering could possibly provide a different route to escape the world you created, and need a way out of.
Let me hear from you.
Help me, and I'll help you.(email)
I am here to listen, and I am appealing to you from the bottom of my heart.
I am told my best attribute is "determination", and believe me, that is undoubtedly Todd's murderer's worst enemy.
Thank you,
Joyce Petrie
Saginaw, Michigan
email: [email protected]
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