32 years after Sherry Lewis' murder, family says fight for justice continues

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — It's been 32 years since Decatur Realtor Sherry Lewis was found murdered inside a vacant Decatur home.

Her family said the pain has never faded, and neither has their determination to see someone held accountable. For Sherry's identical twin sister, Terry Lewis-Foor, the anniversary of her sister's death is not confined to one day each August.

"The anniversary is every day because just Sherry's presence is missed every day, not just at the anniversary ... every day," Terry told WAND News.

Lewis was 30 years old when she was found beaten and strangled to death in the kitchen of a vacant Decatur home listed for sale, on Aug. 5, 1994. Despite decades of investigation, the case remains one of Macon County's most well-known unsolved homicides. Over the years, investigators have repeatedly revisited the evidence while advances in forensic science have renewed hope that the case could eventually be solved.

For Terry, the last 32 years have felt like living through a nightmare that never ends.

"It was the worst feeling any family could ever go through. It's a nightmare. It really is," she said.

She has spent more years fighting for justice than her twin sister has been alive. As Sherry's identical twin, Terry said the loss has affected every aspect of her life.

"Sherry wasn't the only one found dead on that kitchen floor. That was both of us. That's why I've been so persistent," she said. "Especially not having justice and having to keep doing this every year."

The Macon County Sheriff's Office released a statement emphasizing that investigators have continued working the case since 1994:

"The Macon County Sheriff's Office has never stopped working this case. Since 1994, every detective ever assigned to the Investigations Bureau has looked and relooked at all the facts and evidence available. We have enlisted the help of additional resources to further review the investigation. These resources include independent investigators, the Illinois State Police and other state and federal agencies. Even now, the case is currently being reviewed by a cold case task force. The Sherry Lewis homicide will remain a priority for the Sheriff's Office, and we will continue to work the case until the family gets justice."

The Macon County State's Attorney's Office also sent the following statement to WAND News:

"This investigation is of great importance to the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office. We want nothing more than to get justice for Sherry Lewis and her family. We have enlisted the help of additional law enforcement and prosecutorial resources. As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment on any details of the case or of the investigation. When the investigation concludes, we will release information to the public."

Both statements come as Terry continues to press for movement in the investigation. She told WAND she remains in regular contact with investigators and has spent years advocating for progress.

"I reach out to them several times a year ... these last few years there's been a lot because I've been trying to get this pushed through," she said.

During the interview, Terry also shared her personal belief that authorities know who is responsible for her sister's death and said she has been waiting years for the case to move forward.

"The information sits with the sheriff's department and the State's Attorney's office since May of 2018. They have overwhelming evidence."

While the investigation has stretched across more than three decades, Terry wants people to remember the woman behind the case. She described Sherry as someone who loved making people laugh and found purpose in her work as a Realtor.

"Sherry was a lot of fun to be around. She liked to tell jokes. She just liked to have fun. She loved selling real estate. She enjoyed helping people find their first homes ... She just enjoyed life," Terry said. "But she didn't have much of a life. At 30, that's so young."

She said every morning still begins with thoughts of her sister. Despite the years that have passed, Terry said seeing arrests made in other decades-old homicide investigations, like the Caleb Witty murder, gives her hope that justice can still come.

Her message over the years has remained simple: don't forget Sherry. As another anniversary passes, Terry said she will continue pushing for answers until the day someone is finally held responsible.

"We know who you are, and we will get you. One way or another, we will get you. And hopefully it's coming soon," she said.