In 2005, Rougemont was a quiet community. That peace was shattered by the murder of Rosa Lee Crabtree, the first in that area in 40 years.

It’s still a sleepy area, and the pain of Crabtree’s family is still present. 

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No arrests have been made in the case, an investigation that WRAL has followed the investigation for nearly 20 years. 

Crabtree was 68 when she was stabbed to death in her home after coming home from church in November of 2005. 

Her niece, Tonya Miller, remembers getting her mother’s phone call about Crabtree’s death. 

"It's kind of hard. Are we looking right at that person? Do we know that person?" Miller questioned. "I know she was smart and didn't just open the door for anybody. Was somebody in there? I don't know." 

Crabtree was found by her son the morning after her murder. 

Two TVs, a DVD player and some jewelry were stolen.

To Miller and other family members, Crabtree’s death feels senseless. 

“Our family has grieved deeply about this, wondered about this for so long. The kids have grown up,” Miller said.  

Crabtree was a grandmother figure to many; her husband died the year before she did. 

"She loved kids. She was involved in church, Wednesday night, Sunday night. Sunday morning. She took the kids in the neighborhood to bible school,” Miller said. 

The Durham County Sheriff’s Office tells WRAL they are now re-examining the murder.

“At the time of her death, Sheriff’s Office detectives conducted a thorough investigation, however with the advancement of technology and forensic science there may be new ways to look at this case,”  said Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead.  “Detectives are looking at all the collected evidence and reports from the time of the incident with fresh eyes as well as reviewing previous interviews. Our hope is to find some new piece of evidence that will lead to an arrest and bring closure to Mrs. Crabtree’s loved ones who continue to mourn her loss.” 

According to Miller, all of Crabtree's four siblings passed away without knowing who killed her. 

Now, she's leading the charge to close this chapter. 

“I'm hoping with all these new tools, and the DNA that maybe we could get some closure and find some stuff now that they didn't have back then,” Miller said. 

The Sheriff is asking anyone with information, whether new, or previously provided, to contact Detective L. Hamlett with the Criminal Investigation Division at 919-560-0880.