RALEIGH, N.C. — Many north Raleigh residents know a little more about how to protect themselves from becoming crime victims.
About 300 concerned residents packed the Tabernacle Church on Leesville Road Monday night, hoping to get any answers from police about the case of Stephanie Bennett.
Bennett, 23, was sexually assaulted and strangled in her apartment near Lake Lynn on May 21. Police have not caught the person responsible for her death.
Investigators have spent thousands of hours on the case, but said they have no solid leads.
"Folks, you need to be careful. I do not know the perpetrator of this murder," said Lt. Chris Morgan, head of Raleigh's homicide division.
Investigators said their best hope is a computer-generated picture of someone seen in the area before Bennett's murder.
They also believe a JVC compact stereo, the only thing stolen from Bennett's apartment, could lead them to her killer.
Kris Rizzo lives in the apartment next door to where Bennett lived. She said she is fearful for her safety at times.
"It's a constant fear that you live in all of the time. At night is the worst. During the day, you are fine, but at night, it's a constant fear and it is an aggravation too," she said.
Many residents at the meeting said this is a case where neighbors need to look out for one another.
Polcie shared crime prevention tips ranging from keeping doors and windows locked to having an air horn in the home to scare off troublemakers.
The Bridgeport Apartments, where Bennett lived, will hold a memorial service Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m.
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