A year later, family of slain Juan Aguon still seeks justice and closure

"Thanksgiving is coming and every holiday that comes there is an emptiness in our hearts, I just want justice for my son," said a teary-eyed Sonja Aguon. Another holiday without her son and without any answers, Aguon mourns the loss of her son and uses her voice to fight for justice.

Juan Aguon was shot to his death outside his Mangilao residence in December of last year, and the search for his killer continues. "Please help," his mother pleaded, "because we need all the help we can get - we have tried everything, we have prayed our hearts out and we are still praying to this day. And we are trusting in God to bring the light in. We want the truth to come out. We want justice for the voice that cannot speak, and that voice is my son's."

Also speaking up for Aguon is his sister Nadine Valino, who says she called Guam Police Department detectives assigned to the case two weeks ago. "About two weeks ago I finally got a hold of detective Santos and like you said they are still actively looking but right now there is nothing they can give me any further leads or anything," she detailed.

"And, you know, my mom, she cries everyday because it bothers her to see there is nobody. We feel like nobody is doing anything. And we constantly pray that somebody will do. The way I feel, and I am just going to be very blunt that there is incompetent detectives there in that Criminal Investigation Unit. Because for one, nobody reaches out to the family, nobody to give us any updates and there is not updates but at least to reassure us that we are actively looking.

"We have to be the ones to initiate that call."

Expressing frustrations with law enforcement and pleading for closure.

"And for us as a family, it's very hard because it's like everyday there is someone roaming around this island free and it's not right. We want just for my brother but also closure to make sure whoever done this to him they are put in jail."

KUAM reached out to GPD for a response to the Aguon family and for any further updates on the case. As of news time, we have yet to receive a response.

Sonja shares this message to the detectives: "The head of the police department probably says that he will be doing everything in his power to help us solve the case, so I am pleading to him and all of the detectives. I know there is something out there and I don't know why it's not being revealed, but I just want you to help us bring justice to one because he didn't deserve to die the way he did."

"Please, Guam Police Department and all of the detectives that are working on my son's case, please help us."

Trusting in faith, placing it in God's hands Sonja reminds everyone this Thanksgiving season to give thanks for the loved ones you have. "It's not the same, that's why I am saying to everybody you have your family members be thankful. Hug them every night be thankful you still have them because you never know what's going to happen. Tomorrow is not ours. It's never promised. But we have to love our family members, cherish every single one of them. That's what Thanksgiving is, be thankful for what you have."

If you have any information on this case, call GPD dispatch at 472-8911 or leave a tip at guam.crimestoppersweb.com.

GPD issued a response, stating, "This case is still active as our investigators continue to look into the case. We continue to ask the community for their assistance by submitting any Information that aid the case."