Reward offered for information in murder of 18-year-old

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — It’s been nearly four years since 18-year-old Korena Burney was murdered. The Dayton Police Department Cold Case Unit is shining another spotlight on the investigation, as Miami Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 cash reward to bring the killer to justice.

“Korena was fun, joyful, real creative, loving. She wanted to have her own clothing line. She started to create that the last couple years,” tears up Latisha Postell as she remembers her daughter.

In November of 2020, someone murdered Korena. She had been shot and her body was dumped in a wooded spot near the corner of Lakeside Drive and Lakeview Avenue in Dayton.

“I don’t know happened to her. I don’t know who would do that to her,” says Postell.

An RTA driver made the discovery and called the police.

Detective Elizabeth Alley is with the Dayton Police Department Cold Case Unit.

“There have been no suspects. We’ve talked to a lot of witnesses. We’re just trying to figure out who did this,” says Det. Alley.  “I spoke with her family, and they were very grateful that we were looking into this in hopes that we can find the person who did this.”

As Dayton Police continue to investigate Korena’s murder, Miami Valley Crime Stoppers is now offering a $10,000 reward for anything that provides a lead in this cold case.

“We just think it’s terrible what happened to her, and we want to do whatever we can to help to bring the people that harmed her to justice,” says Shannon Tudor who is the president of Miami Valley Crime Stoppers. “We want to help law enforcement. We want to help communities keep their neighborhoods safe.”

Detectives are hoping the money will be an incentive to pick up the phone and call them. They say any little bit of information helps.

“Anything down to maybe you heard some screaming, maybe if you were able to see or talk to Korena within the days before this incident happened, if you were around her, if you saw something, anything possibly to let us know maybe what could have happened,” states Det. Alley.

“It hurts because she’s supposed to be here. She had her life taken for no reason,” says Postell. “I just want closure. I do. I really want to know what happened to my daughter.”

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP. You can remain anonymous.

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