Buffalo family remembers cold case victim on her birthday
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The family of a Buffalo woman who was murdered in 2018 remembered their loved one on Sunday on what would've been her 40th birthday. Our cameras caught up with them as they continue to call for justice for Joshlyn Bishop.
Bishop's family gathered together at her grave to remember Bishop, who was shot and killed in the doorway of her South Buffalo home just two days after Christmas in 2018.
"I just want my family to have the justice that we deserve like any other family," said Amara Perryman, Bishop's younger sister.
There are so many things you wish you could still do but can't do following the loss of someone you love. For Amara, that's giving her sister one last hug.
"Sometimes you just don't get that extra hug that you want," Amara said. "I was out of town when my sister was murdered, and I didn't have that moment that I wanted to get with my sister."
It's through that awful tragedy that Amara has found hope -- hope that the family will one day find the person responsible for Bishop's murder. And hope that she can help other families as well.
"I have created like a picture that you would put together with your loved one," Amara said. "Just loving them, giving them their final hug. And I have made several for different recording artists that have put me on their platform."
Since Bishop's tragic passing, the case has grown cold.
As they continue to remain hopeful that one day justice will prevail, family members like Bishop's niece, Na'la Perryman, think about the times they could've had but now will never have.
"It would've been good to have her watch me walk across the stage," Na'la said. "Now that she's not here, it's just not going to be the same anymore."
Bishop's nephew, Noah Nicholas, agreed, telling us what it means for the family to have celebrated her birthday at her grave.
"It's sad because she can't be here right now with us," Nicholas said. "We all have to be at the cemetery today to celebrate her birthday today. We would've went out to eat somewhere with her favorite food, Pepsi and chicken wings."
Moving forward, the family is calling on the City of Buffalo to continue to investigate, vowing to never give up until justice is served for Joshlyn.
"I just want the City of Buffalo to keep working and keep doing what they have to do, and I know God has already done what he has to do as well," Amara said. "I just want them to continue so we can get justice for my sister."
WIVB News 4 reached out to the City of Buffalo, who will be providing us with the latest information on the case next week. In the meantime, anyone with any information on Joshlyn Bishop's murder is asked to call the Buffalo Police Department at 716-851-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here.