On July 22, 1987, life as they knew it stopped for the Trotman and Taylor family. That day, Junel Trotman, 31, was found murdered in the foyer of her own home at 12210 SW 194 Terrance in South Miami Heights. Later, her family received reports that she had been stabbed to death.
“I don’t know anybody who didn’t like her. She was the glue,” said the victim’s sister, Tahir Blue, according to Project: Cold Case.
Before her demise, the 31-year-old AT&T phone operator had been struggling with her health. At the time, Junel had trouble walking and had been subjected to several hospital visits, where doctors could not explain what was wrong with her while family members took care of her at home.
Family members have long suspected foul play of someone close to Junel poisoning her. In addition, the Miami-Dade Police Department had turned over all leads without any charges filed or suspects identified. At the time of the homicide, Junel was married to Gregory Trotman, an airplane engineer. The couple shared two daughters in addition to the victim’s son, whom she had from an earlier relationship.
Investigators discovered there was no forced entry and questioned her husband, who was supposed to have dropped her at the Taylor family home that day but didn’t. However, he told authorities that when he left home that morning, Junel was alive, reported Newspaper.com. Hence, the case went cold and remained that way for over three decades.
Junel’s family described her as the pacemaker, nurturer, and mentor.
If anyone has information that would blow this case wide open, please contact the Miami Police Department Homicide Unit at 305-603-6350. You can also remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 by submitting tips to CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
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