The Diana Willmeth Case: Nine Years Later

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “It’s nice that other people ask about her also. I’m her mother, I will always want to know,” says Gerda Wilmeth Nine years ago today Diana Willmeth disappeared. She was last seen at Lucky’s Bar on Edmund Highway around 2:00 a.m. May 6, 2005. Around 9:30 that morning Diana’s mother, Gerda Willmeth, says they found her car in her driveway. “I’ll never forget. We walked in and I was mad at her she hadn’t talked to me. She was supposed to come help me clean the yard Saturday,” says Willmeth But, Diana Willmeth wasn’t home. “When I saw the animals not attended, no water,” says Gerda Willmeth That was the moment, Willmeth says, she knew something was wrong. Investigators do not believe Diana Willmeth left her home willingly that May. A couple of months later her body was found on Jacques Haven Road. Investigators believe she was killed around the time she disappeared. Chances are you’ve heard this story before. Everyday for the past nine years, Gerda Willmeth has looked for answers. Yet she doesn’t have the one she needs. Who killed Diana? “I believe he’s out there. Diana’s with God now, that’s good enough. We not looking for her anymore,” says Gerda Willmeth “I couldn’t imagine the loss of a child and to know what she’s going through to find her some closure would be a great thing,” says Sergeant Roy Mefford, Major Crimes Unit at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Mefford has worked the Willmeth case basically from the very beginning and he says even nine years later, he isn’t giving up. “We just need that break. There’s no way to tell in cases like this. You’re just looking for the last piece of evidence,” says Mefford If you think you have that detail call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Mefford says no matter how small you think the tip is, it may be the one piece they need to crack the case. The Willmeth family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. You can remain anonymous.