POWAY, Calif. (Scripps News San Diego) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is bringing attention to a 54-year-old unsolved murder.
On May 1, 1967, 14-year-old Nikki Benedict was stabbed and left to die while walking home from her friend’s house in Poway.
The family has gone 54-years without knowing what happened to Nikki. Both of her parents died without answers.
In May 2018, one of her three surviving sisters was there with detectives bringing the case back up, hoping anyone with helpful information will come forward.
An 11-year-old boy found Nikki suffering at 6:30 in the evening on the tragic day. Deputies and medics tried to save Nikki’s life, but she died after arriving at the hospital.
When the crime happened, witnesses reported seeing a young man running from the scene. Investigators say almost every teenage boy in Poway was interviewed at the time but detectives found no connection.
54-years later no one has yet been arrested for Nikki’s murder. Detectives say they don’t want to give away information regarding DNA or any other evidence linked to the knife in the case.
They understand the killer may no longer be alive but ask anyone with information to call 888-580-8477.
Up to a $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest.
This story was originally published May 1, 2018, by KGTV in San Diego, California. Dates have been updated as of 2021.
