We seek justice for Tami Sunell

It’s been two years since Tami Sunell’s life ended abruptly on the night of Oct. 18, 2016. Somebody with their hands tightly clenched around her throat choked the life out of her. Tami’s heart of gold was slowly extinguished by this person. Why? Only that perpetrator knows.

Here laid Tami. Alone. Trying valiantly to fight off her attacker. Depleted of oxygen, eyes bulging, and tears expelled from fright and panic knowing this would be the end of her life. Her order of protection, meaningless.

In Libby, we are known for cover-ups and we get to add a new title. We have now been publicly given the title of leading the state with a staggering 33 percent of all intimate partner murders in Montana since 2000. We have the lowest county population and highest rate of intimate partner/family member murder — does this mean our system is turning a blind eye and ignoring the orders of protection established to the protect its vulnerable victims? The staggering numbers clearly show the reality of the outcome when the laws they are sworn to uphold are ignored. What is the reluctance and fear of protecting the victims in these cases?

Tami was a believer in the good of others and when she moved to our community she defined a path to help herself by helping others. She displayed an inner strength, despite her insecurities, to excel in every endeavor she pursued. Initially she gave up her own education to support her family who was always forefront in her endeavors. She was just seeking a job. When others saw her potential, Tami was directed to the FVCC to study for her GED. She accomplished that task and the process began for her! There was nothing too difficult for her to overcome.

She made the decision to become a nurse and enrolled in FVCC nursing program. She had to first achieve her AA in general studies. She studied night and day for two years, sacrificing any personal agendas for the betterment of her family. She made the dean’s list the first year. Can you imagine the pride she had for realizing what she was capable of? She would study along with her young son Floyd, who was the light of her life, showing him what hard work and determination could do for a person. Her goal was to obtain an RN license in an occupation helping others while providing a better life for her family.

How many unsolved murders do we have? One is too many. We are speaking of one that happened two years ago, on Oct. 18, 2016. Two years have now passed, without even one suspect being named. We make contact and are told that law enforcement is working on it, but no efforts transpire. Our requests for information are ignored by LCS, calls are not returned, and Tami is still dead and we still have a killer in our midst.

When does Tami’s death become important? She was our friend. She was a mother. She was a wife. She was a mentor. She was a strong contribution to our community showing the way of how a person can make a difference in achieving their dreams. Tami is missed by many but not represented by the ones responsible for bringing her murder to justice.

We are and will continue to stand strong as the unrelenting voice of Tami Sunell, now publicly addressing this very real and very tragic reality. Law enforcement needs to step up and make an arrest. This isn’t a petty crime; this is murder of the worst degree. Please do your job.

—Chris Erickson,

Kari Martell,

and friends of Tami Sunell