Memorial Service For Barbara Hamburg Sunday At 5 p.m.

The friends and family of Barbara Hamburg plan to gather on Sunday, March 3 to remember her and to press for justice. The event is open to everyone, said Conway Beach, Hamburg's big sister.

Hamburg was beaten and stabbed to death March 3, 2011 outside of the home she rented at 44 Middle Beach Road West, which is adjacent to the Madison Country Club golf course. Her death was ruled a homicide.

The Facebook event page for the memorial service says: 

Barbie has been gone for 3 years and there has been no arrest for her murder. Please come to remember Barb and let the authorities know we want justice for her.

The candle light vigil will be at 5 p.m. on the town green, near the steps of the First Congregational Church, said Beach. The event was originally planned for 4 p.m., but was changed so that it will take place around sunset, which is at 5:43 p.m. on Sunday. 

Police say they are making some headway, and waiting for results in some areas of investigation

Police Chief Jack Drumm said Friday he has been in touch with family members and knows they are frustrated. 

"It's been a very intensive investigation. Unfortunately, it's taking a lot of time. We are making headway in some areas and waiting results in other areas of the investigation," he said. "No one wants to move forward on this more than myself, on behalf of the family." 

Madison Hamburg, Barbara Hamburg's son, was in Madison Friday with two friends from school, the Savannah College of Art and Design. Madison Hamburg is making a documentary on his mother, along with those friends, they said. Hamburg was talking with Madison police Friday while his friends waited for him in the parking lot adjacent to the police station at town campus. 

" ... until we have complete closure"

Robert Giovanelli, who is from Long Island, and Gage Hanlon, who is from Ohio, said they have been to Virginia, Baltimore, Branford, West Haven, and Hamden to collect information and film the documentary, talking with friends and family members. 

Hanlon said the group plans to have a cut of the film ready for class in about two weeks, but that "there's a lot more to this than just the class." He said he was particularly struck by how many close friends Barbara Hamburg had, and how easily she made friends. He said they have been trying, to no avail, to get specific information from the police department on the status of the case. "It would be nice to talk with someone, even if they can't tell us that much," Hanlon said.

He added he hoped Madison Hamburg would be successful during his meeting Friday with police in gaining some understanding of the status of the case and when there might be closure. Giovanielli said "as long as Barbara's case goes on, so does our documentary, until we have complete closure."