The family of Sylvia Holtzclaw received a clear message today. The community, law enforcement and friends are not giving up finding the person(s) responsible for her murder and that of James and Margaret Barnes.
“We will not give up our relentless effort to prosecute and bring to justice the person who did this crime,” Greer Police Chief Dan Reynolds said in a “Service of Remembrance and Hope” 10 years to the day the triple homicide took place at the Blue Ridge Savings Bank on Frontage Road and I-85.
The service was as much to jostle the memory of a “friend who knew a friend who knew someone that remembered something about this crime,” Keith Kelly, Chaplain, Greer Police Department, said. “We remember the sadness that blanketed the community for months.”
“We hope this service today, will help bring information to help solve this crime,” Reynolds said.
Almost 200 attended the service held at the City Park amphitheater. Every daily online, electronic and print media in the upstate covered the event
Greer police along with representatives from other law enforcement agencies in the upstate attended.
“An event like this stays fresh on your mind,” Greer Mayor Rick Danner said. “I can’t believe it’s been ten years.”
A lighting of the candles preceded a moment of silence and the toll of a bell for each victim. Candles lit symbolized:
• Candle of Remembrance: for Sylvia Holtzclaw, James and Margaret Barnes. David, Kevin and Mhari lit the candle.
• Candle of Sympathy: for the Families of the Victims by Solicitor Barry Barnette, Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor.
• Candle of Appreciation: for Law Enforcement and Community lit Det. Dale Arterburn of the Greer Police Department.
Robbie Gravely lit a Candle of Hope.
“My mom,” David Holtzclaw said and paused fighting back tears. “She loved to talk. It was her way to keep up with the community. She sent a lot of cards and balloons to people just because she loved it.
“We will never know why somebody would commit a crime to these loving people. And such a heinous crime.”
David and Kevin Holtzclaw thanked many who attended the ceremony.
David said he will make a stop at his mother’s gravesite in the coming days to share the love and support Greer maintains in looking after her sons. “It’s a peace and calm when I’m there,” David said. “I can almost hear her giggles when I tell her things.”
