Virginia "Ginger" Daily seemed to have everything going for her. The petite blond accountant, 32, had a good job, lots of friends and a loving family.
That's why it was especially shocking to co-workers, friends, family members and even sheriff's investigators when she was murdered. Her body was found the morning of Aug. 11, 1980, by passers-by at North Camino Verde near West Ina Road. She was nude, and her hands and feet were bound. She had been strangled, and her purse and clothing were scattered nearby.
Daily, who worked for the city of Tucson, was a dark-eyed beauty who enjoyed cooking and craft projects, music and literature. She chose books over television and was considered by co-workers to be conscientious and friendly, but cautious. She was born and raised in Tucson and earned her degree from the University of Arizona.
STATUS
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In the months after her homicide, detectives interviewed hundreds of people and developed several suspects, including a spurned ex-boyfriend who left town soon after, but no arrests were made.
Daily's case is open but dormant, said Deputy Jason Ogan, spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff's Department. It was last reviewed in 2007.
Though extensive DNA work was done, it "could not exclude the victim as the donor. The only DNA isolated in the case is female," Ogan said.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Within a couple of years of Daily's homicide, both of her parents, William and Kit Daily, died, said Freddy Hershberger. She and her husband were longtime neighbors and friends of the Dailys. She described Ginger as bright, no-nonsense and very independent.
"She loved cooking and, in fact, I've inherited some of her cookbooks," Hershberger said. And, "she was very fond of her brother. They got along very well."
Daily's brother could not be reached for comment.
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