Behrman case still a mystery

IU freshman Jill Behrman went out for a bike ride at 9 a.m. May 31 of 2000 and never made it back. Two years later, she's still missing.\n"Two years ago, when this first happened, I never dreamed I would still be here two years later wondering 'What in the world happened to Jill?'" Jill's mom, Marilyn Berhman, said. "People often ask about her, and they want to know how we're doing and how the investigation is going. I get questions almost daily, and it's hard to think it's been two years when sometimes it feels like yesterday."\nRemembering Jill\nOn flyers, Jill is described as being 20 years old, 5'7," with brown hair, blue eyes and a tan complexion. In private, her family still misses her nuances that aren't listed on paper. \n"She loved Crystal Light," Jill's dad, Eric Behrman, said. "She would mix that up by almost half a gallon and carried it around with her, and she always liked turkey sandwiches. We still have a shelf full of Crystal Light and all the different flavors. None of us drink it. It's waiting for her to come home." \nEric Behrman said Jill's day was never complete without a workout; be it sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, volleyball and bike rides. The two went on road trips together because he works for the IU Alumni Association and frequently travels for University events.\n"I can't remember any times when we didn't get along really well," he said. "Everyone always said Jill was more like me than Marilyn. We always had a really good time."\nHe said Jill used to play a game at Mr. D's, where she worked, in which she would watch for grumpy people, get them to come through her line and try and make them smile before they left the store. Friends and family members said Jill's smile was contagious and as it was warm.\nCommunity Reacts\nJohn Peterson, director of Facility Support for the Student Recreational Sports Center, said he only knew Jill for one month but vividly remembers the first time he met her at a staff meeting. \n"Her friendliness really struck me, and her smile reinforced it," Peterson said. "A warmth just emanated from her. She was a truly unique and genuine person, and we're really at a loss without her." \nAlong with several others, Peterson commented on the kindness and approachability of Eric and Marilyn Behrman.\n"I can't even fathom what's going on in their hearts," Peterson said. "As a parent of five children, I know how precious they are to us."\nJill's disappearance struck a chord with many in the community who wanted a way to respond to the situation.\n"There was an outcry in the Bloomington community," said Christine Geary, director of programming and research for the SRSC. "They wanted to do something -- anything -- to help, provide support and show the Behrman's they were there for them."\nGeary said several programs have become dedicated to raising awareness of Jill, such as a scholarship fund, Fitness Against Violence, Jill's House and Run for the End Zone.\n"The safety issue still bothers me," Eric Behrman said. "I still see girls running and biking around alone, and I want to say 'do you realize the chances you're taking?' even in town. I know in this day and age we try and raise our daughters to be strong and independent and be able to protect themselves, but the world just isn't quite that way yet."\nSome citizens have recently organized an activity called 'Renew, Refresh, Remember.' Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Bloomingfoods on east Third Street, citizens will be distributing yellow ribbons community members can pick up and post throughout their neighborhoods and as a reminder about Jill. Marilyn Behrman said while she still misses Jill, it helps to think about her and talk about her.\n"There's nothing anyone can say to make me sad because I already am," she said. "Talking about Jill and remembering her is better than not."\nEfforts Pay Off\nEven two years later, police are still receiving tips about the case every day. Family and community members have used every possible recovery strategy: pictures, flyers, divers, balloons with flyers, bike search, prayer services, cadaver dogs, ground and air searches, checkpoints and a $50,000 cash reward. \nNASCAR driver Darrell LaMoure drove a car with Jill's picture spread across hood at the urging of his wife because they had a similar situation occur in their town. \nThese efforts have finally made a break in the case with the first named suspect, Uriah Jay Clause, who is currently being held in the Monroe County Jail on another charge. There are a few other unnamed suspects whose alibis for May 31st 2000 don't stick.\nThe Behrmans just want to know the truth, regardless of what it is.\n"I would definitely appreciate honesty," Marilyn Behrman said. "It would be so helpful to everyone to know the truth and even then it won't be over. I would like to know the truth even if it's not what I want to hear."\nBloomington Police Investigator Marty Deckard and FBI Agent Gary Dunn are still trying to piece information together to determine what happened and figure out why. Their current theory is Jill's disappearance was caused by a group of people and was a combination of an accident and bad decisions.\nSilent Vigil\nThe Behrmans said Jill's disappearance, while painful, has had a positive repercussions.\n"It could just be that I'm more aware of it now, but it seems people have stopped to think about what's really important," Marilyn Behrman said. "It could just be that I'm more aware of it, but I really think I see my friends and family spend more time with each other now.\n"Sometimes I think I know Jill better than I used to because I've had to think so hard about all the things she would've been doing. There's a bittersweet disappointment because I wish I had given her more attention because now she's on my mind all the time."\nEric Behrman said if nothing else, he hopes it will help young ladies realize there are things they can do to be a little safer and be more aware of things around of them."\nThe Behrmans light a candle and say a prayer every night for Jill to come home.\n"It was originally put there to help her find her way home," Eric Behrman said. "Our goal is to still find Jill and bring her home."\nFor any information regarding this case, contact Gary Dunn at 332-9275 or Marty Deckard at 349-3313.