PHARSALIA – Ten years have now passed since the unsolved murder of a Town of Pharsalia man, but his family and investigators are still optimistic that one day the culprit will be found.

At around 5 p.m. on July 7, 1999, the body of 38-year-old Thomas L. Francisco was found dead in his trailer on One Eye Road by his nephews. He had several small-caliber gunshot wounds to his head and neck.

“As a result, an autopsy was conducted at Lourdes Hospital and the cause of death was ruled ‘homicide.’ On the same evening the body was discovered, a multi-agency task force was established consisting of primarily members of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. As the investigation continued, members of the Broome, Cortland and Madison County Sheriff’s Offices also assisted in the investigation,” said Sheriff’s Lt. James E. Lloyd, who has worked on the case since the beginning.

The victim’s eldest brother, Gerald ‘Gerry’ Francisco, said his family continues to mourn the loss of the youngest of four siblings and maintains hope that his killer will be brought to justice.

“We want to get a hold of the media and get it talked about again. For all we know, this guy could be bragging to others about it by now. You never know, people are stupid and they get themselves caught,” said Gerry.