‘I had to lay my father to rest 23 years ago’: Daughter of Opelika shooting victim seeks answers in a case gone cold
Video: Tina Whitlow speaks about who her father was.
“He was a very generous man. He would do anything for anybody.”
OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) — A man was found shot to death on Third Street in Opelika over twenty years ago. Although the case has been cold, the victim’s daughter continues to seek out answers as to who killed her dad.
On Jan. 3, 2001, at about 9 p.m., Opelika Police found 50-year-old Steve Edward Whitlow fatally shot in his 1994 Ford Aerostar. An autopsy determined his manner of death was homicide.
At the time of Steve Whitlow’s murder, he was a security guard at Char-Broil on Williamson Avenue. He was also a navy veteran who served in Vietnam.
An investigation began, but Opelika police say the case eventually went cold. Despite that, Steve Whitlow’s daughter continues to seek justice.
“I had to lay my father to rest 23 years ago. I was only 20 years old, which was the hardest day of my life. My father was shot and killed on the corner of 3rd Street and Ave B, where his van went into someone’s yard and rested in a tree.”
Tina Whitlow
Tina Whitlow told police she thinks someone knows what happened and who did this.
“I am asking for anyone who has any knowledge or information to please contact the Opelika
Police Department,” said Tina Whitlow. “I am praying for justice so that way I can have closure.”
According to OPD, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information
leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to call the OPD Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police mobile app.
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