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SALISBURY — Investigators in Rowan County are hoping to spark new leads in several cold cases.
 
Deputies say one of those cases is the brutal murder of a Salisbury man more than a decade ago. Now authorities are offering a cash reward for new information and the victim's family hopes it is the beginning of finally getting closure.
 
"It's been agonizing, and a lot of tears, a lot of tears," said Andrea Polk.

Polk's 33-year-old son, Marlon Ellis, was found shot to death on February 7, 2001. But with no leads in over 10 years, his killer is still unknown.
 
"We can see this case has sat dormant for a long time and decided to try and generate some information by going public with it," said Chief Deputy at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office David Ramsey.
 
Officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Ramsey said Ellis was last seen alive at a former night club on Long Ferry Road, and his body was found hidden not far from there in a wooded area on Five Row Road in Salisbury.
 
"This was a pretty brutal crime. There are people, I'm certain, that are still in this community that have information about it," said Ramsey.
 
Deputies said the father of two lived and worked in several places in the months leading up to his murder including a homeless shelter. Although the case is still a mystery, Ramsey said he is confident it can be solved.
 
"There is some forensic evidence that was collected that could lead, if we develop strong suspects in the case," said Ramsey.
 
Ellis’ children are now 19-years-old and 27-years-old. Polk said she has kept in touch with authorities over the years to stay on top of the case, hoping to find closure.
 
"[Closure for] not just me but my family; but me as a mother, it's agonizing," said Polk.
 
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Criminal Investigative Division at the Rowan County Sheriff's Office at 704-216-8687.