Family of murdered Bloomington woman plans memorial walk

Crystal Grubb had been missing for nearly two weeks when her body was found in a northern Monroe County cornfield.

The 29-year-old mother of two was found strangled and stripped of most of her clothing. The news of her disappearance was relatively quiet and, one year later, her murder remains unsolved.

But her friends and family have not forgotten Crystal.

This weekend — the one year anniversary of her body being found — they hope to help others remember Crystal, too. A memorial walk will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at People’s Park on Kirkwood Avenue.

Crystal’s mother, Janice Grubb, said the event is also about bringing awareness to a comparatively forgotten case.

“We’re all hoping to bring some focus to the case and help get it solved,” Grubb said. “We want the community to join together and get something done.”

Those participating in the walk will carry posters, Grubb said, as well as wear T-shirts displaying Crystal’s dates of birth and death and a photograph of her. The back of the shirts will read, “We want justice for Crystal Grubb. We all miss you and love you.”

Originally, the production of the T-shirts was being handled entirely by the Grubbs and their friends, as the family does not have the money for professionally made shirts. 

But a chance connection to Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan led to a gesture of support from the city.

Two decades ago, Kruzan’s executive assistant Diane Daily was Crystal’s big sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. When Daily heard of the walk, she told the Mayor the family could use some assistance.

“This was one way we could help,” said Kruzan, who allowed the city to donate 150 T-shirts for the walk.

Kruzan said he hopes the walk will help persuade someone to come forward with information and bring some closure to the family.

“This is a very sad situation, and there’s only one way it can even come close to being somewhat remedied, and that’s if there’s a solution to this mystery,” Kruzan said. “There are people who can help and at least put the unanswered questions to rest.”

Three Bloomington men, including Crystal’s boyfriend at the time, have been labeled as persons of interest in the case, and all three are currently being held in Monroe County Jail on charges of dealing methamphetamine.

The charges stem from the same night Crystal disappeared, and the men were reportedly the last to see her alive. However, there is not enough evidence to connect them to the murder.

“Obviously, it’s important for a family to remember a loved one, but there’s also a very practical reason for the walk,” Kruzan said.

Janice Grubb said her reason is simple.

“My daughter was murdered last year,” Grubb said. “I just want to see justice done.”