Friday, May 23, 2008 --- 3:50 p.m.

The letter below was written by Amanda Miller, fiancee of Joel Marino who was tragically murdered on January 28th. This letter was provided to the Madison Police Department who was asked to share it with the community.

"Joel Marino was the love of my life. We had been happily dating and planning our lives together until he was taken from me on January 28, 2008. Joel was a compassionate, attentive, and sincere person who possessed a contagious enthusiasm for life. Joel was my first introduction to the city of Madison. I was a nursing student living in Dubuque, Iowa, when we began dating. Each time I made a trip to Madison, Joel became my personal tour guide. He loved that Madison was a city in which so many cultures, artists, musicians and academics were embraced. After graduation, I was easily persuaded to move to Madison and I have been proud to call this city my home ever since.

It is through our conversations about work that I know Joel had a great deal of respect and admiration for the medical community within Madison. Joel was an EMT in college, and then later continued his passion for the medical profession, as he worked with patients needing pacemakers and ICDs. Joel had the opportunity to work with physicians in all of the hospitals in Madison. I know that Joel recognized the importance of each facility and how it helped to serve the community.

As an E.R. nurse working in Madison, I am intimately aware of the procedures and protocols that exist to save lives in an emergency. I would like to thank those that cared for Joel during his last hours. I can't say enough about the brave citizens who called 911. The 911 dispatcher was professional and efficient in guiding those that called to assist Joel. I want to thank the EMS team and first responders that transported Joel and began working to save his life. Working as an E.R. nurse in Madison, I am confident that Joel was taken to the only facility that would have been able to effectively care for him due to the trauma his body had suffered. The UW Hospital Trauma Center did everything they could for Joel and he was treated by an outstanding medical team. There should be no doubt that Joel was given the best possible care and that each decision made in the process to save his life was done appropriately.

I believe that through the tragic loss of Joel, Brittany Zimmerman and Kelly Nolan our community needs to work together to find answers. I believe that by placing blame we distract from finding the answers we need to bring justice for Joel, Brittany and Kelly. I'm hoping that for the sake of those that loved Joel, the media will not play or sensationalize the 911 call made by the brave citizens who found him. Out of respect for those lost and their families, I hope that as a community, we can move beyond incidental details that do nothing to progress the ongoing investigations. I'm asking my fellow citizens to assist by simply being conscientious and to watch out for the safety of their neighbors, friends and family. I'm confident that as a community we can find answers that will help us put these murders to rest and regain the sense of security we lost.

I never thought I would have to imagine a life in Madison without Joel. But, I am committed to this community, as Joel was in his lifetime. Joel was an amazing man who left behind a powerful example for all of us on how to live our lives. This tragedy not only affects those that knew and loved Joel, but resonates with an entire community. For that reason, I'm asking anyone who has information on Joel's murder or any of these murders, to please contact the Madison Police Department or Crime Stoppers.

Thank you,

Amanda Miller"

The Madison Police Department remains committed to the solving of this homicide. A reward fund of more than $45,000 has been established for those with information leading to the arrest and conviction of th e person or persons responsible for the death of Joel Marino. Callers may contact Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008 --- 3:45 p.m.

TRIBUTE TO JOEL MARINO

"The killer of Joel Marino should know about the life he stole from so many people. Joel's ashes have been laid to rest near his mother, who died from cancer at 40 years of age, with him his talents and caring that would have given so much to so many.

The City of Madison has lost one of its young citizens who loved the city. Joel was working so hard to protect the quality of the waters of Monona Bay and the home he loved so dearly on the Bay. This project is still going on.

He cared medically for so many patients suffering from heart problems and was working with doctors to bring hope and a new love with them. His coworkers found him a joy to work with as he traveled to many hospitals from Wausau to Lacrosse, Oshkosh to Madison, and as far south as Dubuque.

It is ironic that Joel would be stabbed through the heart to cause his death, which was the special part of his work to save lives.

The great love of his life was his music, and he was more than willing to provide his piano or his guitar for family get-togethers, nights by the fireside at Eagle River, weddings for friends or just playing background music while everyone talked about life and its meaning.

His family loved him deeply, and has been devastated by this murder, and will never recover from this senseless act of evil.

As his grandmother, I have watched him grow into this beautiful young man. He called me on my 75th birthday to wish me a happy day, and as we were talking he said, "Grandma I have to go now, but I'll call you right back! In a short time after he said, "I love you," he was found in the alley just barely alive.

Where does a person filled with such hate to do such a thing come from? If you have any information on this person please contact the police who are investigating this crime. Don't let Joel die in vain or let someone be free to destroy another special person like Joel.

I only wish I could have Joel call me and say, "Hi Grandma, I'm calling you back."

Betty J. Parman
Joel Marino's grandmother

The Madison Police Department is committed to finding Joel's killer, and anyone with information about his death is urged to call Madison Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014. Callers can remain anonymous.

he Madison Police Department would like to remind citizens of the more than $45,000 reward being offered to anyone who can help identify the person responsible for the murder of 31-year-old Joel Marino.

Joel was stabbed inside his West Shore Drive home on January 28, 2008. He was found in an alley between his house and Park Street around 1:20 p.m. The loss of Joel has been profound. His grandmother, Betty Parman, wrote the following: