A Janesville Veterinarian was killed more than a decade ago, and the case remains unsolved.
Dr. Richard Meinert was found dead at the Thompson Peak Veterinary Clinic off Trinity Way in Janesville, California.
The killing was almost 12 years ago, and since then, no one has been held accountable.
This poster is being displayed throughout Janesville and Susanville.
The family is also launching a new campaign to bring more awareness to help bring justice for the killing.
Lassen County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.
Meinert was 55 years old when he died, leaving behind three children.
Richard Meinert and his three children
"He didn't get to be there for their birthdays," said Meinert's former wife, who did not want her identity revealed because she did not feel comfortable. "He didn't get to be there for the graduations. And my daughter was married. He didn't get to walk her down the aisle. And now he has four grandkids that he'll never get to play with."
Others close to the family fear that those involved with the killing may still be in the community.
Meinert was a long-time Janesville resident and a beloved veterinarian.
"Rich would usually refer to the owners by the dog's names," the former wife said. "And he would say, well, that's Buster's mom, or that's Bozo's dad in the store."
On the evening of June 22, 2014, a suspected burglary happened at the clinic.
According to the case file, the possible motive was stealing drugs kept there.
Meinert owned the clinic.
A family representative says that he would frequently drive around the clinic at night because it had been burglarized in the past.
On that night, the case says he went inside the clinic after it had been broken into and confronted either a suspect or multiple suspects.
Someone shot Meinert in the chest once at close range, and the next morning, deputies found his body.
During the investigation, the toxicology showed that Meinert had no drugs or alcohol in his system when he died.
Evidence photo from Lassen County Sheriff's Office
One of the few pieces of evidence is an Adidas hat with an orange logo.
However, other than that, not much has been shared about the case.
About 15 minutes away from the clinic is the Lassen County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff-Coroner John McGarva was a Sergeant in charge of the investigations unit at the time of the homicide.Â
McGarva was appointed as Sheriff in 2024.Â
However, he says the office is doing whatever it can to solve the case.
"The advantages of some of the years that have gone by as technology has advanced and we're able to go back and reprocess some of those things with newer technology, and we're seeing some positive results," McGarva said.
The sheriff says someone may have given those involved a ride from the scene.
"The business itself is just off of Main Street in Janesville, and it sits between Main Street and 395," he said. "So, it's possible if anyone picked up any hitchhikers or anything that night and they remember that to come forward."
Those who know anything about the case, no matter how big or small, are encouraged to call the Lassen County Crime Stoppers at (530) 502-TIPS or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.
You can remain anonymous by calling either line.
