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Family of slain man reeling after another shocking loss

MUNHALL, Pa. — Codi Joyce died in Munhall more than three years ago, and his family believes he was brutally beaten and strangled at a party.

There have been no arrests and no suspects; however, the family continues to fight for justice.

But on New Year’s Day, they received another devastating blow.

“It’s almost deja vu all over again,” said Steve Wisniewski, Codi’s uncle. “In the morning, I’m getting a call from a detective.

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This time, the call was about Codi's mother, Paulette Joyce, who was found unresponsive inside her Munhall home with her fiance.

Allegheny County Police believe it was a possible overdose.

Wisniewski says his sister visited Codi's grave hours before her death.

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“Once I was told that she was found unresponsive and had passed, my first thoughts were my nephew and niece,” he said.

He says Paulette was supposed to meet with someone about Codi's case on Wednesday, and believes the lack of movement in the investigation took a toll on her.

"A hard tragedy that this … it just destroyed her," he said. "It drains your soul because you know justice should've already been served."

Even though the family is struggling to find money for funeral expenses, they are still working hard to bring Codi justice.

“There’s a new detective with the case,” Wisniewski said. “We had independent investigators come in. Based on their findings, they’re surprised nobody has been prosecuted.”

The family even filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

“We need that chapter closed so we can at least put that away, but unfortunately we lost Paulette before that chapter is closed,” he said.

The family has started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses

 

Cox Media Group

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