Family of Rochester cold case victim looking for answers three decades later

ROCHESTER, N.Y. Victoria Jobson was murdered 30 years ago and her family is still looking for her killer.

Her family hands out free coats on Dec. 10 every year on Rutter Street. They say they will never stop searching for justice to keep Jobson’s memory alive.

Her family does what they say she would want them to do and take care of the people who live in Rochester. There were piles of free coats, hats, shoes, and more for anyone who wanted one.

“She would want us to take care of the people who live in downtrodden life,” family member Keisha Washington said. “They’re still people. They’re still someone’s mother, father, sister, brother.”

Keisha Washington and her family spend Dec. 10 of every year handing out free clothing to the community. This is one of the last memories Washington has with Jobson, who is her mom. She does this coat drive for her.

“We’ll never let it go,” Washington said. “We will never forget her. We’ll always hope for answers.”

Jobson was last seen on Oct. 11, 1992. Her body was found two months later in a vacant lot on Rutter Street. Police say she was stabbed to death.

Her murder was one in a string of violent attacks on women at the time. Washington says the coat drive serves a dual purpose. It’s a symbol of hope for her family, and a kind gesture for the community.

“We can only hope that someone sees this event happening and can recall something from that night,” family member Nicole Bartell said. “Maybe they know something or anything at all. Any lead helps 30 years later.”

For this event, Washington and her family spent nearly four months in advance collecting clothes. Police still encourage anyone with any information to reach out.