The mother of homicide victim Anthony Hamlin, whose body was found in a Ledyard field on Jan. 28, 2006, said she would quietly note the 10-year anniversary of her son's death this week, perhaps calling his siblings to talk about him for a while.

Darlene Hamlin said she would never give up until her son's killers are held accountable. She is convinced there are people who could help police with their investigation.

"I won't give up until it's solved," Hamlin said in a phone interview Tuesday. "This mother is never going to go away. I ask for prayers and for anyone with information to please come forward."

Hamlin's body was discovered in a field adjacent to 448 Shewville Road in Ledyard. He died from blunt trauma to the head, and his killer or killers had left him face down and naked in a former horse pasture.

A 40-year-old father of five from Groton, Hamlin was last seen near Union Station in downtown New London on Jan. 27, 2006.

His family said Hamlin talked to his sister, Casandra Rookwood, on the phone that evening, telling her he was going to pick up a sandwich at Subway before catching the 11 p.m. train.

A member of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, Hamlin was upset his tribe had not received federal recognition — and the financial opportunities that would come with it — as expected the previous fall, Hamlin's family said.

He decided to leave the area and had taken a job as a surveyor's assistant in the Hampton, Va., area.

Hamlin also may have been looking to flee the area because somebody wanted to harm him, according to his mother, who said she has her own suspicions but no proof.

Darlene Hamlin "strongly suspects" that two or more people were involved in her son's death and that they are affiliated closely with the American Indian community.

"I truly believe that, within the community, there is a cover-up for those individuals involved in the crime," she said.

The Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad is investigating with assistance from the Southeastern Connecticut Cold Case Unit.

Anyone with information is asked to call the major crime squad at (860) 886-6603 or the New London County State's Attorney's office at (860) 443-2835.

Tips can be texted to CRIMES (236748), and should include the words TIP711 plus the message.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN