Portsmouth Police still searching for Meghan's killer

Portsmouth police, who've been especially tight-lipped about the details of the slaying of a 16-year-old girl in the Simonsdale neighborhood almost five months ago, have renewed their appeal to the public for help solving the crime.

Meghan Landowski, a popular Woodrow Wilson High School sophomore, was found dead in her home April 10. Since then, police officials say they've talked to more than 100 people and collected several hundred pieces of evidence. And, as The Pilot's Matthew Bowers reported last week, they've served seven search warrants, including for records of her online and phone activity.

What the Police Department hasn't done is release the cause of death or other details. Officials have told the media and citizens that the department is closely guarding information that only the killer would know.

It's not uncommon for police to withhold details in murder probes, of course. But the scarcity of information in this case has helped feed worries in the community that the investigation has stalled.

Jan Westerbeck, a police spokeswoman and former homicide investigator, said detectives are actively working on the case. But she told The Pilot that e-mails from residents inquiring about the status of the case are among the reasons the department is again asking for the public's help.

Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from Meghan's friends, who may have information about her final days and months that they don't realize is relevant to determining who killed her.

People who think they may be able to help should call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887) to pass along tips. Crime Line is offering a reward of up to $1,000, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is offering up to $3,000.

The Police Department's renewed appeal is welcome and, let's hope, will generate useful new leads.

As the investigation continues, however, police officials should continually re-evaluate whether releasing more details about the case could possibly jog the memories of friends, family members or neighbors about something they didn't recognize as important - and still preserve the strength of the case against Meghan's killer.