While Leah Hickman's body is finally resting in peace, many people in Huntington are living in fear. With no arrests, no suspects and no leads in this murder case, an uneasy feeling is setting in.
With no motive and no explanation, it's hard to relax.
A killer is on the loose. Who can relax knowing that? Police are working very hard and they're still working this case around the clock, but they're coming up empty and that's leaving many full of worries.

Despite the sunny, clear day, an uneasy, eerie cloud still hovers over the neighborhood where Leah mysteriously disappeared. Her body--found one week later in the basement of her apartment building.
Young women who must walk through here, travel in groups and with hurried steps.

“It makes me real nervous. My sister lives on 5th St. and my dad on 1st St. I walk this alley constantly,” said Courtney Otts.

Because Courtney often has no choice but to walk alone, she packs her companion.

“My dad bought it for me a week ago to be on the safe side.
Does a knife make you feel safer? Yeah, because I know how to use it. I was in the military. I'm good with a knife,” said Courtney.

“I used to go to work and about my day and didn't care if anyone knew where I was. Now, I call my parents when I leave for work and when I return from work. I don't go out at night and if I do someone always knows where I am at all times,” said Stacy Haverland.

Stacy lives all the way across town from where Leah disappeared. But, because she's a Marshall University student in the same age range as Leah, she's worried.

“I’m actually very nervous and I’m surprised the person is still out there,” said Stacy.

“Do you have any reason to believe he or she will strike again? No, not at this time,” said Lt. Rocky Johnson.

Lt. Johnson has worked the case around the clock. He says he wishes he could put people's minds at ease, but the truth is--there are still too many unknowns.

“It could be a random act--not sure. We're not looking at that right now, but it could be and we want to caution people to be aware--don't be scared or paranoid,” said Lt. Johnson.

Comments continue to pour into our webchannel at wsaz.com--many about this fear factor.
Beth, the parent of a Marshall student, wrote, "as a parent, it is a terrifying thought to send my child back with a killer out there".
However, not everyone is so worried. Another person wrote, "also, as a Marshall student, I am not afraid to go back. I practice common sense safety and know how to protect myself".