April 15, 2024 | By: Nadeen Kahok, PCC Intern

Ronli Ratliff, her first name is conjoined from her father, “Ronald” as well as her father’s best friend, who passed away from a car wreck, “Warren Lee.” Ronli is also the name of a girl who was taken on April 15, 2004, when she was only 24 years old.

The family’s firsts. Ronli was the first daughter, first niece, and first grandchild.

“She was just one of those special kinds of people that you just want to protect,” said her Aunt Kimberly Sink.

Ronli was the kind of person you would want to be around. She had a heart of gold and would always find a way to compliment someone she was having a conversation with.

A caring young lady who wanted nothing but the best for others. “She was a bubbly, happy little kid.” Ronli had an inner strength that not a lot of people knew of.

Ronli had a difficult childhood and was forced to grow up fast.

“It was so hard to watch her go through everything,” Kimberly says.

She was always daddy’s little girl. Ronli made her father a CD full of songs that he played over and over again. So much so, it no longer plays. Gospel music and John Mellencamp were what she liked to listen to.

Her Aunt Kimberly remembers taking Ronli camping, helping her get ready for prom, and assisting with her science project. She was so dear to her Aunt Kimberly.

“If she needed me, she knew to come to me.”

If you upset Ronli, she would let you know, but now her voice will never be heard again.

Ronli grew up in Mooresville, Indiana. One day she decided to visit her mother’s house just south of town. Ronli wanted time for herself, however someone took that from her.

On the day of her homicide, Kimberly received a call and was told Ronli was gone. “Well, where’d she go?” Kimberly asked. “No, she’s gone, she’s dead” was the reply.

On that Thursday morning, Ronli was found in her mother’s home, lying next to the sofa. The manner of her death was never released; however, reports indicate Ronli’s death was a homicide and that a fire was set to cover up the murder.

“There are certain things that us parents do not want to know about what our adult kids do. I wish I had wanted to be nosier for her, I could’ve saved her.” said Kimberly.

Ronli’s family was devastated.

“My heart died, there’s a piece of me that will never mend,” Kimberly said.

Ronli had a huge impact on those she loved and that loved her. A conversation would not go by without Ronli being brought up by her Aunt Kimberly.

“Ronli wanted to have people around her that she could trust,” her Aunt Kimberly stated, also sharing that, unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case.

Kimberly promised Ronli that she would get the respect and justice she deserves.

In remembrance and awareness of Ronli Ratliff, her aunt tries to beat the silence of Mooresville by; managing a justice page on Facebook, distributing handwriting notes about Ronli on the back of photographs, and keeping her grave decorated.

“I like to make sure Ronli has fresh flowers to keep her pretty. People know that Ronli is loved and thought of,” Kimberly stated.

After 20 years, Ronli is still alive, her story is not over, and her family will continue to say her name.

“This is not going to be the end,”  Kimberly said.

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Anyone with information concerning Ronli Ratliff’s murder is asked to call the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office at (765) 342-1080. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477.

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