Kristy Kelly’s family still searching for answers

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - A new chapter in a death investigation. Five years later a father is trying to get some answers into how his daughter died.

“We’ve never actually gotten answers,” says Kristy Kelley’s father, Todd Scales.

There’s a renewed push for answers in Kelley’s death investigation. Scales’ request to see case records has been denied by the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office.

Now, he is appealing. Kelley was missing for a month before her body was found in her car at the bottom of a Warrick County lake in 2014.

Shortly after the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office declared her death accidental and sealed investigation records. Kelley’s father continues to push, hoping those files will bring closure.

The circumstances surrounding Kelley’s death are nothing short of a mystery to Scales.

“There was no death investigation done for our daughter. We would like to move forward and have this looked into to see what might have actually happened that night,” says Scales.

The 27-year-old was last seen on a night out with friends in August of 2014. One month later she was found inside her car at the bottom of a lake.

Kelley’s body may have been found, but that did not stop the questions from coming.

“It’s difficult. Very, very difficult. We’ll push forward. We’re not stopping. This will not stop until we get answers. Whatever it takes, that’s what we’re going to do,” says Scales.

Scales is pushing back after his request to see investigation files was denied by the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office. If he can get his hands on them, he says, he is taking them to a professional.

“I’ll be honest. I really don’t know. I won’t know until we look at them,” says Scales.

In Scales’ mind, the files could contain the key to finally knowing what happened to his daughter.

“Peace. Justice for Kristy. Yeah,” say Scales and his wife.

Even Judge Elaine Brown says she understands what's at stake.

“I can’t imagine dealing with the murder of a son or daughter, so I have to get past that and look at the law and what it says and what the obligations of the parties are. Sometimes it’s difficult,” says Brown.

This case is the first of its kind in Indiana. Judge Brown tells us that is why it is very important for the future of access to public records requests.

Now, the three judges will deliberate in chambers and try to come to a unanimous decision. They could have a judgement in as soon as 30 days.

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