Delaware mother offers reward in the hopes of solving son’s murder

SMYRNA, Del. – About four years ago, along a quiet road in Smyrna, Delaware, a man named Jimmy Leager was found beaten in his pickup truck, clinging onto life. He died a few weeks later. Leager’s family is now offering a reward, in the hopes of finding whoever killed him.

Marie Leager, Jimmy Leager’s mother said, “Before I die, I’m going to find out who did it.”

Jimmy Leager is described by his loved ones as a family man. His mother Marie says Jimmy was the family jokester and a hard worker who stayed out of trouble.

“He was my go getter. If I needed anything, he was here. He could do anything,” she said.

Leager was brutally attacked in April of 2016. Police say he had dinner at a friends house on Blackbird-Greenspring road, then the next morning he was found in his pickup truck in the same area suffering from injuries caused by blunt force trauma. Ever since the attack, his mother Marie’s world has been turned upside down.

Marie Leager said, “There are days when I can go pretty good, and then all the sudden I’ll think of something and that does it for me.”

That’s why she’s now offering $2500 to help her find the person who murdered her son.

“He was my first born,” she said.

Police say although they’re worried about receiving false tips from people who are only interested in money, they’re in support of the reward.

Detective Daniel Grassi with Delaware State Police said, “If it generates interest in the case and gets tips to come in, I’m absolutely fine with that.”

After all, tips in this case are crucial since the details surrounding Jimmy Leager’s death are such a mystery.

Marie Leager said, “I don’t know one person, except whoever did this, that had anything bad to say against him, not one person.”

Despite all the questions, one thing remains clear. Jimmy Leager’s family isn’t going to stop until they find the person who did this.

Marie Leager says the reward money will only be given out once someone has been convicted.

Anyone who may know anything about Leager’s death is asked to call Detective Grassi with Delaware State Police at 302-365-8441

This is not the first time 47ABC has covered Leager’s case. For previous coverage, you can click here.