2 vigils for Eastern Michigan University student whose 2012 bathtub drowning ruled a homicide

Julia Niswender's parents, Jim Niswender,left, and Kim Turnquist, right, sit with their daughters Madison and Jennifer Niswender holdiing a portrait of Julia at their home in Monroe, Mich.

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The father of a 23-year-old Eastern Michigan University student who was drowned in her bathtub one year ago says the family hopes and prays every day that there will be a break in the case.

The family of Julia Niswender held a vigil Monday night at the lake house on the school’s Ypsilanti campus, with a walk to the vicinity of her near-campus apartment.

The vigil also is dedicated to others slain in the last year in Ypsilanti, including Eastern Michigan football player Demarius Reed.

A second vigil is Tuesday evening in Niswender’s hometown of Monroe.

Jim Turnquist told WDIV-TV before the vigil that the family is confident someone will come forward with evidence to solve his daughter’s killing.

The undergraduate’s body was found Dec. 11, 2012.