Family hosts fundraiser as murder anniversary approaches

MADISON, Wis. — It’s been nearly a year since a young mother was gunned down on Madison’s east side.

Police said two intruders broke into Julia Majette’s North Thompson Drive home on June 12, 2013, and shot and killed her. They also shot her husband, but Daunte Vance survived. At least two of the couple’s three children saw the shooting.

Majette’s family is hosting a fundraiser Saturday to raise money and try to get answers about a case that’s still unsolved. There are no new leads or suspects.

“The more we talk, the more I connect with her,” said Karen Andro, who befriended Majette’s mother.

Andro is helping the family pass out fliers advertising the fish fry dinner event that runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s being held at the Lussier Community Center on Gammon Road.

“It’s hard to heal when there’s an unsolved murder and there’s a part of the healing process, I would imagine, that would be halted and makes it harder to move forward,” Andro said.

Anyone unable to attend Saturday’s event can also donate to a fund that benefits Crimestoppers at the JP Morgan Chase Bank on Milwaukee Street.