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America's Most Wanted Aims To Solve Marissa Karp Killing Fri. Night

BROWARD COUNTY (CBSMiami) — Just over 10 years ago a fisherman found the battered body of missing South Florida teenager, Marissa Karp, stuffed into plastic bags and dumped in a canal.

Now, her father is hoping new tips will come in leading to her killer, with the help of a national television program.

Friday night, America's Most Wanted will feature her story and host John Walsh is expected to make a personal plea for information at the end of the show to finally bring her family justice.

AMW airs Friday nights at 9 PM on the Lifetime Network.

Lifetime can be viewed on the following channels in South Florida:

  • Comcast Xfinity Ch. 61
  • Dish Network Ch. 108
  • AT&T U-Verse Ch. 360
  • Direct TV Ch. 252
  • Advanced Cable Ch. 51

A lot has happened in Gary Karp's life over the last 10 years. He has a wife and kids and a new job.

But when he wakes up every morning for the last decade, he still has the same thought- finding the person or people who murdered his teenage daughter, Marissa Karp.

"Every day and every night when I put my head on the pillow," he told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

Karp has long believed he knows who killed her and dumped her body in the Everglades. He says she met the wrong group of people.

"She had a big mouth and that got her thrown out of where she was visiting and those people reacted in a way that's not typical. They beat her up and they shot her, and the rest is history," said Karp.

But he says he's never been closer to tasting justice. Billboards around South Florida bring new attention to the case and tonight America's Most Wanted will focus on Karp's murder.

"We're real close to where we need to be, we just need that one more phone call. And I think over time people have consciences."

Though his mission has never wavered, Karp's life has moved forward. He now works as victims advocate for the Broward Sheriff's Office- a job he never thought he would be qualified for.

"I never expected to be a victim but you know the saying when life gives you an orange you learn to make orange juice."

He believes soon he will see his daughter's attackers behind bars.

"I think justice is about to be served, albeit late, but it will be served."

Anyone with information regarding Marissa Karp's murder is encouraged to call AMW at 800.CRIME.TV (274-6388). You may also anonymously call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954.493.TIPS (8477).

There's a $10,000 reward in it for you if your information leads to the murderer.

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