By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

It’s been nearly a month since John and Carolyn Tarwacki were slain in their Niles home, and there are still no suspects nor a motive in a case. But that doesn’t mean investigators haven’t been working hard.

A Cass County Task Force of investigators, which was mobilized for the case, continues to send out five to 10 officers to investigate and conduct interviews each day.

Lt. John Slenk, who heads up the task force, said it is comprised of investigators from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan State Police and the Niles city police.

“We draw from the White Pigeon, Niles, Bridgman, South Haven and even Paw Paw Michigan State Police posts,” Slenk said. “We’re trying to run between five and 10 investigators each day.”

Slenk said the force is no closer to solving the case, although more than 200 tips have come in since the murder. The force received several more this past week.

“If you don’t solve a case in the first 48 to 72 hours, you’re in it for the long haul,” Slenk said. “We have tons and tons of stuff to do. We’ve done tons of interviews. We’ll be patient and work until we solve it.”

Slenk said they are still trying to determine a motive for the slayings, which he believes would point them to the killer.

The Tarwackis were found dead in their home on Carberry Road on Feb. 5, and the murderer is believed to have known the couple.

Police are still urging citizens with information to call the Michigan State Police Niles Post at (269) 683-4411.