Dena's Family Seeks Justice 10 Years Later

A west Tulsa teenager was murdered 10 years ago on Friday.  And, the case remains unsolved.  Each year, Dena Dean's family gets together on the anniversary to remember her and keep the fight alive to find her killer.  The News On 6's crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports Dena was reported missing in 1998.  Her body was found days later.

During the past decade, Dena's family has suffered.  They have also remained resolved to make sure justice is served.

The flowers that line the driveway, the candle that burns nearby and the photo album of a little girl whose life was cut short, are all part of a yearly event at the Dean home.

"I get to sitting and thinking I never got to help her get ready for college, for proms, to get married and have her own children.  Things I should've been allowed to do with her," said Dena's mother, Diana Dean.

The case remains unsolved, despite investigators questioning some 200 people, a multi-county grand jury and a special task force.

Dena was at work on June 6th, 1998, and called her mother to say a boy she knew wanted to meet her and talk.  Her mother agreed.

"Be careful.  Be home at 10:30. I love you. She said, 'I love you, too.' That was the last conversation I had with her. I knew who she was going to meet and when and she never came home from that meeting. I know in my heart who murdered my daughter," said Dena's mother, Diana Dean.

Diana recently came across a video of Dena one month before her murder.  She was in English class, doing a debate on the death penalty.  Dena was taking the pro side and said something then; about a child's murderer running free that gives her mother chills, now.

"How would you feel about your child's killer running free?" asked Dena in the debate.

Dena's family doesn't it like it one bit and they promise to never give up, trying to get Dena's killer arrested, prosecuted and punished. It's just something parents cannot let go.

"As long as I have breath in me, I will fight to bring this to justice," said Dena's mother, Diana Dean.

Anyone with information about the case, even if it is a small tip, is urged to call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.