ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - The families of two missing girls are hoping to get answers about their loved ones disappearances nearly 40 years ago.
Angela Rader and Tammy Akers' cold case is one of the oldest in Roanoke city dating back to 1977. Walter Rader was 24 years old when his little sister Angela disappeared.
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"My siblings and I wonder if we're gonna find out before we pass on," says Rader.
At the time family, friends, and police believed Angela and Tammy ran away and would come back in a few weeks. Few leads and the passing of decades made this disappearance even harder to solve.
The investigation led authorities to a man named Earl Bramblett as a possible suspect. He was executed in 2003 for the brutal murder of the Hodges family in Vinton.
Police say they can still solve this case if people come forward. Organization Help Save the Next Girl is now looking back at some of our missing person's cases to create awareness.
"That's what we're gonna do," says Kenny Jarels with the organization. "We're gonna continue to do it. It's a lot of work, but it's very rewarding. We're bringing families together and they can share their stories."
Even though some family members believe the girls were killed there is hope maybe they're still with us here safe.
Walter Rader says his parents died not knowing what happened to their daughter and he's hoping police at least find the answers during his lifetime.