The 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:

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.