WILKES-BARRE -- It was one year ago a well-known mail carrier died after a house fire. Authorities say someone intentionally started that fire, and one year later they still haven't found who did it. The family still seeks justice.
Laurie Merritt was 51 years old when she died from carbon monoxide after a fire ripped through her home on Wyoming Street in Wilkes-Barre on April 14, 2014.
While the family has since rebuilt the house, they're still trying to rebuild their lives.
"I miss my mother dearly, as does the rest of the community, but we're still looking for some answers as far as who started the fire," said Kristin Merritt.
Kristin says her family was never given a final death certificate, because police are still investigating last year's fire. But without the final death certificate, she says the family won't be able to fully heal.
"Not only have we gone through this emotionally, but we can't even settle the estate."
The Luzerne County District Attorney's Office says it’s still an active investigation. Just several months ago, it filed a search warrant to obtain more cell phone records, but it's still waiting for a response.
"All we could do is pull the family together and push forward."
Neighbors say they remember Laurie from her days as a neighbor and neighborhood mail carrier.
"She had a beautiful smile. She always had the nicest smile, real friendly. She’d always come up to you. She never turned around without saying hi and bye to you," neighbor Marcela Taltenchi said.
"She would always say hi when I would go up to my grandmother’s house. She was a nice lady," said Angel Taltenchi.
Since her mom's death, Kristin has given life to a little girl and named her after her mom.
"My mom was named after Piper Laurie, so we named her Piper. It was just a nice tribute to her and I thought it was perfect.”
The family will hold a vigil Wednesday evening to honor Laurie with their neighborhood. They hope one day someone is brought to justice for her death.