The family of Brittany Stykes held a vigil on Friday, Aug. 28 to mark the two-year anniversary of her death.

The vigil was held in front of the memorial where Stykes was found dead on U.S. Route 68, almost a half-mile south of the intersection of Gooselick Rd. and U.S. 68, between Georgetown and Ripley.

Friends, family, and onlookers lit candles and listened to Stykes’ mother Mary Dodson speak about her daughter. At the end of the vigil, the friends and family released a hot air balloon that rose high in the sky.

The Dodson’s, Mary and Dave, Stykes’ parents, are hopeful for good news, and that news may be coming in the next month. Brown County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Carl Smith confirmed that BCSO investigations in two Kentucky counties has uncovered some new evidence that could lead to an indictment.

Smith indicated that once a new Grand Jury is seated in September, the BCSO will move forward with potentially presenting evidence and a suspect to the Brown County Prosecutor’s Office, who could then bring charges for the grand jury to approve.

Smith did caution though that their investigation into Stykes death was far from over.

Stykes was found slumped over the steering wheel off of U.S. 68 on August 28, 2013. Her daughter Aubree, then 14-months old, was injured in the shooting after a bullet grazed her head, but she was found alive. A witness who found Stykes phoned law enforcement. When BCSO deputies and Brown County Coroner Dr. Judith Varnau arrived, they determined that Stykes was dead due to gunshot wounds.

An autopsy report into the death found that Stykes was pregnant with another child.

Stykes husband, Shane Stykes, was originally a suspect in the shooting but was cleared. He currently has custody of Aubree and lives in another county, but Mary and Dave Dodson have visitation rights.

Last June, WLWT News 5 reported that new electronic evidence had been uncovered in connection to Brittany Stykes’ death, but nothing has come of that so far.

Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger continues to urge anyone with information on the case to contact the Brown County Sheriff Office’s Investigation Unit by calling Moore at (937) 378-4435 ext. 125. Callers may also remain anonymous by contacting CrimeStoppers at (513) 352-3040 or sending an anonymous tip via the Brown County Sheriff’s Office website at www.bcso.info.

Friends and family place flowers and candles in front of a memorial to Brittany Stykes off of U.S. Route 68.
https://www.ripleybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_STYKES-VIGIL-5-jpeg2.jpgFriends and family place flowers and candles in front of a memorial to Brittany Stykes off of U.S. Route 68.

By Daniel Karell

dkarell@civitasmedia.com

Reach Daniel Karell at 937-378-6161. Follow him on Twitter @GNDKarell