The family a North Carolina mother found slain near her suburban home says the culprit should speak up if the person has "a shred of decency."
     
Garry Rentz said Friday the only way for the family's pain to end would be for the killer to acknowledge their role in the death of his daughter, Nancy Cooper.
     
Authorities in the Raleigh suburb of Cary have not named a suspect in Cooper's death. But her parents and sister persuaded a court to grant them custody of her two young daughters. They had been staying with Cooper's husband Bradley.
     
A private memorial service is set for later Friday. Cooper's family plans to return to their home in Canada with the children this weekend, before returning to North Carolina for a Friday custody hearing.

A Memorial service for Nancy Cooper has been set for Saturday at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.  A second service will be held in Edmenton next Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

A memorial fund is expected to be set up in honor of Nancy Cooper. 

Gary and Donna Rentz, Nancy’s parents, and Nancy’s sister Krista Lister filed and emergency custody suit Thursday claiming Cooper’s husband, Brad Cooper, was cheating on Nancy and emotionally abused her and the children.

During Thursday's briefing, Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore said the daughters of Brad and Nancy Cooper were transferred to Nancy's family. The children had previously been staying with Brad at a friend's home. Bazemore said the custody transfer is a private civil matter between the family.

Read: Entire Emergency Custody Order Filed By Rentz and Lister [ pdf ]
Previous Articles: Husband's Statement: 'Devastated' At Loss, Meanwhile Search Warrants Released (07/16/08)
Previous Articles: Body Found Monday Night Was Missing Cary Jogger (07/15/08)

Court documents show that Nancy's parents, Gary and Donna Rentz as well as Nancy's twin sister, Krista Lister, filed an emergency custody order against Brad Cooper. In the order, the family says Brad "never reported his wife as missing and never contacted the Rentz to inform them of her disappearance".

Also, the court order states that Brad attempted suicide twice in the past, the last incident occurring "in the winter of 2008", and has a history of emotional instability.

The Rentz family argue in the court order that due to the ongoing murder investigation, "their is a substantial risk of bodily injury to the children while in the Defendant's custody and that the children may be abducted or removed from North Carolina".

Nancy's family claims in the petition filed in Wake County that during the months prior to her murder, Brad engaged in pattern of emotional abuse towards Nancy and the children and frequently yelled at her and "belittled her in the presence of the children".

They continue to claim that Brad withheld funds from Nancy, resulting in her asking for financial help from her parents and sister to buy food and other necessities for her and her children.

They also argue that prior to Nancy's death, Brad was "unfaithful during his marriage" and "carried on a sexual relationship with a woman other than Nancy Cooper".

Attorneys for Brad and police say he continues to be cooperative in the investigation. Attorneys released a statement on Brad's behalf on Wednesday. To read the statement, click on the links above.

During Thursday morning's press conference, Bazemore asked to community for helping in taking down the missing person posters around town. She is also asking the community to tie white ribbons on trees and on their homes in memory of Nancy.

Police said that they still do not have a suspect and the investigation continues.

The body of Nancy Cooper was found Monday evening. She was reported missing by a friend after she didn't show up for a planned meeting. Brad said Nancy had gone for a morning jog Saturday, but never returned. Gary and Donna Rentz and Krista Lister said in the filing that based upon information that they have received, they do not believe Nancy went jogging.

Related Links

1. Web Extra: Watch Entire News Conference With Nancy Cooper's Family On Friday