MALTBY — Before and after June 29, 2001.
That’s how Becky Von Rotz measures her life.
“My life will always be before that date and after that date,” the Monroe mom said.
Her son Kyle, 22, was gunned down that day. The shooter has not been caught.
Kyle Von Rotz is featured on the two of hearts in the state’s first cold-case playing cards. Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives are hoping the cards will generate new tips about unsolved homicides and missing persons cases dating back to the 1970s.
The decks have been given to jail and prison inmates with promise of a reward for information that helps investigators make an arrest.
Von Rotz was shot multiple times. His body was found next to his 1986 Chrysler in the 22200 block of 119th Avenue SE. Before his death, he was seen playing pool at two Woodinville taverns. He later was seen at a friend’s house, not far from where he was slain.
A Taurus revolver was discovered at the homicide scene.
Detectives traced the gun to a person who sold it several years earlier. Investigators would like to talk to anyone who may have had the gun stolen from them or anyone who bought or sold the gun between 1995 and 2000 in Monroe, Puyallup or Centralia.
The person who pulled the trigger splintered her family, Becky Von Rotz said.
“It really has changed everything. It’s hard enough to lose a kid,” she said. “If someone murders them, it adds a whole other horrible aspect no one should go through.”
Her husband Allen Von Rotz died of a heart attack three years after their son’s death. His wife believes the grief was too much. Her husband’s heart was broken.
“As time goes on it’s supposed to get easier. In some ways it does. In other ways it’s harder,” Becky Von Rotz said. “He’s missed so much, and he’s always missing.”
Her son would have turned 30 today.
Becky Von Rotz wonders what kind of man he would have become. It’s hard to imagine sometimes, since he really was just a kid when he was taken from her.
“There was no reason this should have happened,” she said. “There is no reason my son should be gone.”
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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