Some Bethesda Avenue Reward Fund Donors Can Request Funds Be Returned

Individuals or businesses who donated more than $1,000 to the Bethesda Avenue Reward Fund may ask for those funds back or request that they be donated to Crime Solvers of Montgomery County now that the reward will not be paid out, according to a police spokeswoman.

The fund was developed in the wake of the March 11 murder of Jayna Murray, 30, at the Lululemon store in downtown Bethesda. Based on information given to police by her co-worker Brittany Norwood, 28, it was initially believed the two women were attacked and sexually assaulted by two masked men. Murray, Norwood said, was killed in the attack.

The Bethesda community rallied to collect the reward funds, which spiked to over $150,000, intended for anyone who could provide information that would lead to an arrest in the case. But late last week, police announced that they had . Norwood, they said, killed Murray and then to make it appear as though an attack had taken place.

Since Norwood was developed as a suspect based on the police investigation and not a tip to Crime Solvers, the group that would have administered the reward, it won’t be paid out, according to police spokeswoman Lucille Baur.

Businesses including Lululemon and Federal Realty had donated to the fund.

For those who donated less than $1,000, the money will remain with Crime Solvers as a donation. “When they agreed to give that donation they were told ‘This is our policy,’ and they agreed,” Baur said.

Murray’s family has created a foundation in her honor  -- the Jayna Troxel Murray Foundation – which is currently accepting donations. The foundation is described as "a non-profit entity that will be dedicated to promoting those interests that were most important to Jayna: academics, athletics, travel, and fine arts."

More information is available on Murray's memorial Facebook page.

Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 9492, The Woodlands, Texas, 77387.