An interview with Suzanne Jovin's father

The Yale Herald: Has the New Haven Police Department (NHPD) kept you informed about the status of the investigation? What information have they shared with you? What are your thoughts on the latest piece of evidence (reported to be a car owners' manual) found at the crime scene by the Nutmeg Treasure Hunters, a group that works with metal detectors?

Thomas Jovin: Captain Brian Sullivan of the Investigative Services Unit and other members of the New Haven Police Department have kept the family very well-informed about the course of the investigation through frequent phone calls and face-to-face meetings. We have also had intensive contact with the Yale Administration and faculty, as well as with the offices of the State Attorney and State Commissioner. We cannot comment on the nature or significance of
any evidence.

YH: I realize that this is a difficult question, but does your family harbor any suspicions as to who might have committed this vicious act? In your wife's letter to campus publications and to local papers, she suggested that a man was probably the killer. Police also believe that Suzanne knew her killer. Can you even give us a vague idea of what your suspicions are? Is there any particular reason that the letter was addressed to the mother of Suzanne's killer rather than the community at large?

TJ: The family cannot and will not make comments about possible suspects. That the killer is a man can be surmised from the nature of the crime. The person has not confessed. He presumably gets up every morning, has breakfast, brushes his teeth, and goes to work. In issuing her statement last week, my wife assumed that the mother of such a depraved and calculating individual can best see through the prevarications and urge him to display some degree of remorse and humanity.

YH: Do you have any idea why she would have been by herself at nighttime, 1.5 miles away from campus? Do you know what kinds of things she was occupied with the week before her tragic murder?

TJ: We know nothing about the circumstances that led Suzanne to the site of the crime. During the week of December 4 she was very concerned about the progress and evaluation of her senior thesis, dealt with applications to graduate school and interviews for postgraduate employment, and was heavily involved in her Best Buddies activities. She was looking forward to her future, of which she was cruelly denied by the brutal murderer.

YH: Do you feel that Yale or the NHPD needs to step up its efforts? If so, what else would you like to see them undertake in the investigation? Have you been involved with the investigation?

TJ: The degree of commitment at the personal and technical level has been extremely impressive. The case is admittedly difficult, as is apparent from the lack of an arrest after 5 months. The analysis of forensic evidence is being conducted with the best resources available in the state and country; unfortunately, this takes time. We find it counterproductive that details about the investigation have been leaked to the press on so many occasions. We have tried to be helpful to the police and the Yale Administration.

YH: Are you confident that this crime will be solved soon?

TJ: We wish we could be.

YH: Do you have any message you would like to send to the Yale community? Could you tell us a little bit about the events Yale will hold to honor your daughter's memory?

TJ: The support we have received from all segments of the Yale and New Haven community has been overwhelming. We hope that the tragedy leads to mechanisms for better insuring the safety of all students at Yale University.

On May 6, during the course of the annual Elm-Ivy ceremony, our daughter Suzanne's extracurricular activities benefitting the Yale and New Haven communities will be honored. The recipients of the Suzanne Jovin Memorial Fund will be announced and family members (two sisters and I, the father) will be visiting those organizations during the day. We hope that Yale will also find a way to honor Suzanne's academic excellence.

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