This site is devoted to Vanessa Johnson, with updated news about her case, and with elements to help improve the odds that those responsible are brought to justice. Vanessa was stabbed at her Rockville store in early February 2003, while she was working there. Her consignment shop was located at 18 W. Montgomery Avenue in downtown Rockville, Maryland.

Police now believe that shortly after, a fire was set to cover evidence. And although the store cash box and Vanessa's mink coat were missing, her diamond rings and bracelet where left behind (which were reportedly worth a great deal more).

Her husband has offered a reward of Ten thousand dollars for information about the case (without the need to reveal one's identity to be rewarded for the courage to come forward), apart from the One Thousand dollar reward being offered through Crime Solvers.

You can help too, that is we hope you will consider making a contribution as well toward increasing the reward for those who may have information, or may be in a position to provide information or evidence or both about the tragic events surrounding Vanessa's death.

At this stage, police are seeking a woman who was seen leaving Vanessa's store that day, who might have known her. The woman was seen wearing a black puffy, or maybe bubble-style coat, with knee high skirt and a pill-box-style hat that has ear flaps hanging down from it's sides. The woman had a big frame, and is described as black, between the ages of 30 and 40, and seen carrying shopping bags. She is thought to have been in a position to have seen something of what happened to Vanessa Johnson in her store that day.

Click here to find out how to donate to increase rewards for those who can help solve Vanessa's murder case.

For those who knew Vanessa, there is no need to say what an extraordinary person she was; for those who did not know her, if you were to ask around, you would find out the truth of that statement. Vanessa was an unselfish, caring person, who started a Big Sister's program for young women. She was hard working, and had many, many friends.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A49565-2003Feb9¬Found=true

About Vanessa and Cliff
Montgomery County police Capt. Nancy Demme said detectives could not confirm details of the investigation beyond noting, as she had said Saturday, that Johnson's death "was inconsistent with the fire."

Johnson's store was nearly breaking even but had been closed for a month before last week because the couple was on vacation, Sosin said. "I make a really good living. It's not like we needed any income. I told her, 'If that's going to help you being down here in Maryland, please pursue your dream,' " Sosin said of his wife's decision to open the business.

Sosin said he and his wife had "the perfect love."

So please, if you know anything, no matter how small the detail, please report it without having to reveal who you are.

Vanessa's family and the Police are asking anyone who may know the woman described, or who may have information relating to the case (such as her missing fur coat), to call at 240-773-5070 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 800-673-2777.