Reward in '93 murder upped to $50,000

Norwich – The reward for an unsolved 1993 murder has been increased to the maximum allowed by state law.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s office announced today that a $50,000 reward will be offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction of Bertha M. Reynolds’ killer. The previous reward was $10,000.

Rell notified New London Chief State's Attorney Michael Regan of the reward increase in a letter dated last week.

State officials hope to generate new leads in the 16-year-old, unsolved murder.

Fifteen years ago, the state offered a reward for information leading to the person who killed the 60-year-old woman. A family friend found her, strangled and beaten, at the bottom of the basement steps of her Laurel Hill Avenue home in July 1993.

No arrest has been made and no one has provided information that would qualify for the reward.

Last week, the two-month old Southeastern Connecticut/New London County Cold Case Unit announced they are looking in to the case as one of its first.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide can call the Connecticut Cold Case Unit tip line at (866) 623-8058. All calls will be kept confidential.