The main suspect in the disappearance of a Clearwater woman has passed away.
Pinellas County Sheriff's investigators said Jerry Gaston passed away last week of health related issues. Gaston and Roberta Rene Cable were roommates.
On Dec. 14, 2013, Cable disappeared. On that day, she was supposed to start a new job. She never showed up and she was never seen again.
"I can't even begin to tell you the pain, you know, that I deal with on a daily basis," Heather Obenland said.
Obenland is Cable's foster sister. She said this has been difficult on her family because they do not know what happened to Cable.
"There's been times where I'm scared if we find her because then there's no hope that she's alive," Obenland said.
Authorities said their prime suspect was Cable's roommate, Gaston, They said he changed his statements and then stopped talking to authorities when he was questioned. Then laast year, detectives found evidence at the home along Owen Drive in Clearwater, but they would not disclose what they found. Authorities said his white Ford F150 may be connected to Cable's disappearance.
Obenland said the toughest part is thinking Gaston may be the only person who knows the truth about Cable's disappearance. Authorities said he passed away last week from health issues.
"I just felt like I really failed my sister. I promised her justice and this is not justice and I feel like we'll never get that chance to look into his eyes and tell him how he's destroyed our family," Obenland said.
Authorities said they hope someone will come forward with information about the case, since their prime suspect passed away.
"Maybe somebody would be able to feel more comfortable bringing information forward or maybe seeing the story one again will jog someone's memory about this case," authorities said.
Obenland hopes so too.
"I mean we are begging you as a family -a sister who knows how much her son is hurting," Obenland said.
Gaston was never charged in relation to this case. Authorities continue to search for Cable and investigate this case. If anyone has any information, they need to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
