As October 6 approaches, Amber Fazio increasingly feels the emotional weight of an unwelcome anniversary.
This Saturday, the date will mark four years since her mother Kristi Richardson vanished without a trace from her east Casper home.
“I feel like this year is back to day one,” said Fazio, recollecting the strain on Richardson’s family.
“It’s been really hard for me these last couple of weeks…I didn’t think we’d be four years into it and still not knowing what happened to her,” said Fazio. “It’s hard to think about what could’ve happened or where she is.”
Richardson was never found and no suspect has been arrested.
The case made news often in the beginning, but the family was concerned that Richardson’s case may be slipping from Casper’s memory. A vigil and other events were discussed before they hit upon a new idea.
Kristi and her late husband Ron were rabid Wyoming fans, so why not a tailgate party on the eve of UW’s game in Hawaii to honor her memory and bring the case back into the public eye?
The Kris Richardson Remembrance Tailgate Party will start at 5:00 p.m. this Saturday at David Street Station. The event features food trucks, beverages, activities and a balloon launch at 6:30.
Kickoff is at 10:00 p.m. so fans are encouraged to head to a nearby downtown establishment to watch the game after the party, said Downtown Development Authority’s Jackie Landess.
“It’s something that can honor her so people can remember her,” said Fazio.
The State Division of Criminal Investigation took over Richardson’s case last summer, and another year has passed without any new information for the family. The family is also offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to finding Richardson.
“(DCI) is pretty quite about the case, but I think it’s still a very active case,” said Fazio. “We don’t know a lot, that’s for sure.”
“We’re just looking for closure.”
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