The Murder of David C. Matte

My name is Lori Matte. I am writing about my brother, David, which whom we have been forced to live without since July 20, 2004.
First of all, I must say this: no one is ever prepared for a murder of a family member! Secondly, a murder investigation is not as it is portrayed on television - at least not in our situation. I have yet to be contacted by the detectives investigating my brother's murder! Instead, they contact my eldest brother, who is a LA State Trooper, and expect that he will do the rest of their work by informing the family. I don't agree with theses tactics. I have relieved my brother of this responsibility and have taken control of the situation.
Monday, July 19, 2004, was a regular day for David. Everything went fine at work and, afterwards, he went about his normal business. His neighbors reported that everything appeared normal that evening. Around 8-9 p.m., a dark colored car was seen parked at his home. It was not much of a consideration for the neighbors at the time, for it resembled the small, dark cars driven by both David’s stepson and friend. However, the driver of that vehicle has yet to come forward and, consequently, may be a suspect. Shortly after the vehicle departed, David uncharacteristically left his home around 10 p.m..
The authorities believe the events surrounding the murder occurred between 10p.m.-12a.m., with the time of death at approximately 12 a.m. on July 20, 2004. David was found laying in the grass along an I-10 overpass approximately 1 mile from his home. He was killed by a blunt trauma to the head and left dead or dying along I-10 (mile marker 94, eastbound side). His vehicle apparently continued moving for a few miles after both of his left side tires were somehow punctured. And to our knowledge, nothing else had been taken from David's truck (Dodge Dakota/Dark Blue/Grey).
Authorities are unsure of the exact location of the entire incident, which obviously ended at mile marker 94 on I-10 eastbound, right after the Duson/Mire exit. Fingerprinting allegedly did not reveal any prints. One passer-by has emerged with descriptions of 'persons of interest’ who were seen at the scene. However, we have yet to find these ‘persons’ or ascertain further information.
I Love my brother dearly and I need to know what happened to him. Since that dreadful day, our lives have changed dramatically and this unsettling incident never goes away. Every day we are followed by questions about how, why, who, what, and where. We are daily faced with thoughts of how much we miss David and memories of the wonderful life that was taken in such a brutal way. Who could possibly be capable of such a heartless act? What did David have to endure and what were his last thoughts? Each day I awaken with the same thought - "maybe today we'll find out who did it."
It has been over a year. . .and still nothing. Time has not lessened the pain and sadness that remains throughout every passing day; as the seasons change and the holidays come and go, we keep holding on to hope, faith, and memories. As justice seems so far away, we say a few prayers and look hard for better days.
I know that I can't bring him back, but I ask you out there to please remember my brother (David Matte, October 1958 – July 2004) and say a prayer that we can find who did this so our family can have closure.
I-10 runs across the country and a great deal of traffic moves across this route both day and night. There has to be someone who saw something; someone who can help my brother's case.
Please send this to your friends.