The Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office issued a statement Monday following the recent jury conviction of Steven Koon, who was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 1989 death of Linda Meteer. The Sheriff's Office commended the numerous parties involved who helped achieve justice for Meteer and closure for her family almost four decades after her murder.

Meteer went missing near Chums Corner in 1989 and was later found dead in Hoosier Valley. Her death remained unsolved until a cold case team and DNA testing led investigators to Koon. The Sheriff's Office thanked the students and staff of the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program for providing "valuable assistance in the investigation." The Sheriff's Office also thanked the forensic scientists on the case and the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory "for their expertise and professionalism," as well as the "witnesses who came forward and shared information that helped establish the truth."

The Sheriff's Office also recognized "the dedication of the current prosecutor" - Noelle Moeggenberg - "whose commitment to pursuing justice and presenting this complex case to a jury was instrumental in achieving this outcome. Successfully prosecuting a homicide nearly four decades after it occurred required extensive preparation, attention to detail, and an unwavering belief that victims and their families deserve answers regardless of the passage of time." 

The guilty verdict would not have been possible without "the efforts of both current and former detectives and deputies who remained committed to seeking justice for Linda Meteer over the decades," the statement read. Throughout the trial, Meteer's voice "was heard through the testimony, evidence, and memories shared by those who knew her. Her life mattered, and her story was never forgotten," the statement continued.

While no verdict can "undo the loss suffered by Linda's family and loved ones, this conviction represents an important step toward justice," the Sheriff's Office said. Her family now "knows who was responsible for her death and can begin to find some measure of resolution after nearly four decades of unanswered questions." The statement concluded: "This conviction demonstrates that through collaboration, persistence, and dedication, justice can still be achieved - even after 37 years."