Christmas has never been the same for Caleb Lusket’s family since the fantasy day of 2016. At a time when many families gather to celebrate, their loved ones were forced to plan his funeral.
Caleb’s mother, Jennifer Schwartz, and her aunt, Nancy Bird, are CNAs who work hard to provide for their families. And that year was no exception. They worked 16-hour shifts and, to earn extra money for the holidays, they worked on Christmas Day. His family planned to celebrate the weekend together. But he never got the chance.
“Every year we have a heart attack again,” Nancy told Dateline. “My nephew lived very long in front of him. And it was all taken away from him in an instant. ”
Caleb Laskat, who lives in Evansville, Indiana, was shot and killed on Christmas Day at Sunburst Boulevard on the Parkside Terrace, now known as Woodland Park Apartments, when he was 18 years old.
Nancy told Dateline that her nephew came to visit friends at the complex that weekend, as her mother would be working. The day before Christmas, Caleb and his mother talked on the phone, discussing their holiday plans over the weekend. That was the last time he would talk to his son.
“She’s completely broken … she’s never been the same since that day,” Nancy said with tears in her eyes. “We both feel very guilty about working that day. But we are not rich. We struggle every day. So we hope the money will give our families that worthy Christmas. ”
Nancy told Dateline that both her families had been struggling financially for years. Every high school kid hoped to be the one who went to college, got a good job and helped lift their families out of poverty. Caleb was one of them.
“He initially finished high school and planned to go to college,” Nancy said. “He had his struggles and issues, but he knew he wanted to make life better for himself. And for his family. ”
But the day after Christmas, a calamity befell Caleb’s family that shattered his life forever.
“Her mom got a call from a friend who lives there,” Nancy told Dateline. “One of the bodies was found in one of the vacant apartments. And this friend believes it could be Caleb. ”
Caleb’s mother rushed to the scene where she eventually identified the body of her 18-year-old son by her tattoos.
Detective Kyle Campbell with the Evansville Police Department told Dateline that Caleb was shot and killed inside a vacant apartment apartment on Dec. 25. The next day his body was found by a maintenance worker.
“My nephew slept there and went out alone for hours,” Nancy said with tears in her eyes. “We don’t know why he was there or who lured him there, but he doesn’t deserve to die like him.”
Detective Campbell told Dateline that he did not know if Calab was in the empty apartment apartment and did not know if Calab knew his killer (s).
Autopsy confirmed by Wonderburg County on Ronner Office Fees that Kal died of a single gunshot wound to the head and that his death was a massacre.
Over the years, investigators have adopted numerous tips and leads, but nothing has come to the attention of the person pulling the trigger.
The detective who responded to the scene, and became chief investigator into Caleb’s case, has since retired. The case was then briefly transferred to another detective about two and a half years ago before finally being handed back to Detective Campbell. He hopes they can solve Caleb’s case and close his family.
“I’ve talked to Caleb’s family members and I’ve seen the pain in their hearts that they all keep with him to this day.” Campbell told Dateline. “Christmas is a difficult time for them. Every year during this time, people will contact the family with information or the latest rumors they have heard about Caleb’s death. Often it’s nothing new, but the same old stories are told over and over again. These people mean good, and seem to be helping, but it doesn’t really show how it hurts the family and prolongs their grief. “
Detective Campbell told Dateline that he was pursuing a new lead in the case, but would not give details about the details as the investigation was open and active. But he added that if anyone is forced to share information about Caleb’s death, he asks if they share it with law enforcement.
“My heart goes out to Caleb’s family and friends,” Det. Said Campbell. “I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like for them and what they have to do. I hope to catch Caleb’s killer, but I recognize that it’s not something I can do alone. I need the help of the community. Someone knows the truth about what happened that Christmas. We just need to talk. ”
The club’s family stays in touch with the date. Campbell and hope that a fresh look at the case will eventually stop them.
Nancy created a judge for Justice Lab Lusket, a Facebook group that shares memories and photos of Caleb, while requesting tips and information that could help bring the weekend deadline together.
“It’s been four years since Christmas,” Nancy, Caleb’s aunt, told Dateline. “His mother died after he died. I was there for her in every fleeting and cranny, but all I can do is empathize. I couldn’t really feel his pain. It’s not like that. ”
Nancy told Dateline that every Christmas has been heartbreaking for her family, but, little by little, they are starting the healing process. And for the first time in years, Caleb’s mother has planted a Christmas tree.
“I know the pain is still fresh for her,” Nancy said. “But we are doing our best. We hope that by sharing my nephew’s story, someone will come forward. We need peace for our families and peace for Caleb. ”
Anyone with information about Caleb’s case should call the Evansville Police Tip Line (812) 435-6194. All calls are anonymous.
