Friday marks six months since the death of Mariah Kletz, a 16-year-old Bloomington girl who died in a mobile home on Canada Lane in southwest Bloomington.
First responders initially were called to the home for a reported cardiac arrest, though two weeks later Bloomington Police said it was a homicide. Authorities on Thursday revealed for the first time that Kletz died from injuries suffered in an altercation, including subdural hematoma [brain bleed] and multiple blunt injuries of the head and neck.
Theresa Nelson is Kletz’s grandmother, or her nana.
“I’m just seeking so that everybody knows Mariah’s name to know why we’re going six months after her death and nobody’s been arrested,” she told WGLT.
Hailey Nelson, Kletz’s aunt, said they have been communicating with police but not much has happened. She said police have told the family they've zeroed in on suspects who were closely acquainted with Kletz. WGLT is declining to identify those purported suspects as they've not been charged with a crime.
"But still, six months later, there’s not been any arrest or any justice brought for Mariah, and her story deserves to be told,” she said.
Her story, according to family who spoke to WGLT in February, is an outdoorsy, loving and uplifting girl whose death caused them a lot of grief. Mariah was a student at Normal West "with a bright future and big dreams. She often spoke of her goal to one day become a CEO and approached life with determination, hope, and ambition," according to her obituary.
After living in Florida with relatives, Kletz moved to Bloomington in spring 2025 and was staying with her grandmother and aunts here. Her father, Michael Kletz, also lives in the area. (Kletz's mother, Rachael Wessells, died in 2021.)
Searching for answers
With the circumstances of Mariah Kletz’s death unclear, her family is still searching for answers. One of the only places to turn is to police, but Theresa Nelson said communication is waning.
“I was calling [Bloomington Police] like every other day, and then I’m down to probably twice a week now to talk to detective Ryan [Strebing] to say, ‘When is there going to be an arrest?’” Theresa said.
Theresa said the answer is that an arrest is coming soon, but that moment has yet to arrive.
“When Mariah doesn’t get to wake up every morning like we do, and she doesn’t get to take a breath in the morning, why are these people walking free?” she said. "And why isn’t anybody held responsible?”
Theresa Nelson said she does not know why any arrests have not been made, but police have repeatedly said there is "no current threat to public safety."
Nelson said she believes detectives are doing a good job, but she wants answers.
“This is my granddaughter, and she deserves justice, and I just want everybody to hear her name, Mariah, Mariah, Mariah. I don’t want her to be a cold case,” said Theresa.
Authorities say Kletz died within minutes of sustaining her injuries. In addition to the head and neck injuries, authorities said Thursday that "contributing factors" in her death were "amphetamine, Sertraline [an SSRI commonly known as Zoloft], and Fluoxetine [Prozac] intoxication."
Kletz's loved ones who spoke to WGLT encouraged anyone with information about her death to come forward — even others in the family. They "need to do what's right," said Stacy Wyatt, whose daughter is father Michael Kletz's girlfriend.
“What we’re basically told is they’re still gathering evidence and compiling it, and when it’s ready, there’ll be an arrest, but nothing is being done about it,” Wyatt said. “We’re living in torture; this has been a nightmare. This has gone on way too long.”
Bloomington Police spokesperson Bryce Janssen says Kletz's death is still an active investigation, and the department will not be releasing additional information. The department asks anyone with information to contact Detective Strebing at (309) 434-2537 or rstrebing@cityblm.org.
Why Kletz was in Bloomington
Theresa Nelson's mother had died last year, and Kletz was in Florida at the time, living with another of her aunts. The month after, in March, Kletz moved to Bloomington to be with Theresa, according to her.
Instead of moving back to Florida, Theresa said her granddaughter asked her if she could stay in Bloomington.
“And Mariah asked me, ‘Nana, I want to stay to get to know my dad again … can I stay?’” she said. "And I made the worst probably decision of my life [saying yes].”
Hailey said Kletz was "very depressed, very sad" in the last few months of her life.
Theresa said Kletz was supposed to move back to Florida the week after she died and go back to living with her aunt.
Let her name be known
With answers not certain to come in the near future, Theresa Nelson said the goal now of her and her family is to make sure Kletz’s name is heard and her story is told.
“She loved animals,” she said. “She was the sweetest little girl that you could ever meet.”
“She was a fighter; she was fierce,” said Wyatt.
“She had the most contagious laugh; she cared about everybody around her so deeply,” said Hailey.
Theresa Nelson said she does want the memory of Kletz to be forgotten or be swept away with time. That is why she and her family chose to speak out.
“I just want justice for Mariah is the main thing, and I want … whoever … to help me get it, and to let everybody know that, hey, this little girl’s life was taken Feb. 7, and we want answers, and I want justice,” said Theresa. “Her voice is gone, and I’m going to be her voice, and I’m never going to shut up till somebody is held accountable for taking her life.”
She said her granddaughter had affirmations and goals for her life. The family will celebrate her potential and what could have been.
Theresa said they plan to celebrate her with a birthday party Aug. 31.
