Estates Woman Likely Knew Her Killer, Detectives Say

CCSO Note: This is the first in a series of cold case profiles. For more information on this and other unsolved cases visit our CCSO Cold Case Page on Facebook.

Barbara Bisram probably knew her killer.

She probably was killed over money.

And someone has information that could help detectives make an arrest.

“This case is solvable,” said Detective Ray Wilkinson, a 40-year law enforcement veteran and the lead investigator in the case.

Deputies found Bisram’s body inside her residence at 5181 Everglades Boulevard N. around 12:30 p.m. on June 6, 2007. Deputies responded to the home after a family member who was trying to contact Bisram was unable to reach her.

The Collier County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide.

Family members and friends told detectives that the 62-year-old widow was a sweet churchgoing woman who was willing to help anybody. Neighbors on her rural Golden Gate Estates street said she often shared the fruit from the trees on her property and let them fish for bass in her backyard pond.

Recently widowed, Bisram was lonely and didn’t like living by herself. She was undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had planned on returning to Vermont, where family members lived. She had even purchased a plane ticket.

Wilkinson believes Bisram knew her killer and was not a victim of a random crime. He noted there wasn’t any evidence of forced entry into the home or of a struggle between Bisram and her killer.

“Because of the condition of the scene and how she was killed . . . we believe she knew the person,” Wilkinson said.

Details about how Bisram was killed are not being released because of the active criminal investigation.

Over the course of the investigation detectives have developed a person of interest in the case, Wilkinson said.

“We believe there is someone out there who might have information about this person and we would like them to come forward,” Wilkinson said.

Detectives also believe they have a possible motive: Money.

Wilkinson said detectives knew there was likely money in the house, however, when they searched the house no money was found.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-252-9300, or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).