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Family, Friends Hold Vigil For Fruit Vendor Murdered One Year Ago In South Philadelphia

By Steve Patterson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A vigil was held Friday night for a fruit vendor found stabbed to death outside his home one year ago today and a $25,000 reward is being offered in the case.

"Every day you have nothing to go for but hope."

The pain of a single day, a beloved father and husband murdered, turned to a year of agony after 365 days without justice.

"Just pray and hope," says Ly's son, Hoanh Ly. "Too long to not know who murdered my father."

Exactly one year ago, 68-year-old Don Ly was preparing his fruit salad cart for business early that Thursday morning (See Previous Story).

Don Ly Vigil
(credit: Steve Patterson/CBS3)

It's when police say he was stabbed seven times just feet away from his own home by a man who was never identified and never caught.

Don's son Hoanh watched helpless as his father bled to death in his arms.

"My mom she cries every day...she still misses him a lot," he said.

READ: Son Of Fruit Vendor Murdered Outside Philadelphia Home Calls Father A 'Peaceful Family Man'

A year of detectives working the case, of a $25,000 reward released to the public, of surveillance video aired dozens of times showing the suspect moments after the crime and no credible leads.

Police nothing was taken from Ly and no motive ever established.

"They just say that they're not going to give up until they find the murderer who killed my father," Hoanh says.

The same plea, the same hope, the same prayer for 365 days with no answer.

"Please help us. We need it. We need your help."

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