On December 20 2008, only days before Christmas, 85-year-old Laura Orso's friend was worried when she wasn't answering. Laura's friend made her way over to Laura's apartment and when she went inside she found the elderly woman in the kitchen, on the floor, covered in blood.

Investigators said the friend immediately called 911. Capt. Mike Ponzillo from the Waterbury Police told Callahan Walsh when he arrived this was, "One of the worst scenes of my career, Mrs. Orso was stabbed nearly 30 times... 37 times was the final number."

Based on items taken from the apartment, mainly money from Christmas cards, detectives were able to determine the killer knew Laura.

The traces of other blood left behind indiciated the suspect may have been cut during the incident and it was likely the suspect's. It was sent to the lab for processing. As investigators went door-to-door looking for information, they went downstairs and knocked on the door of the Mecollari family.

The family said their son Ervis was staying with them and he was acting "erratic" and had taken money from them, likely due to his drug use. Ervis Mecollari's mother was so concerned, according to police, she even left their family apartment and went to a friend's house.

Detectives were able to get a search warrant for their apartment and took toothbrushes which made a match to Mecollari, authorities said.

Rocco Orso, Laura's aunt, sat down with Host of "In Pursuit with John Walsh," Callahan Walsh. Rocco said his aunt was the most loving, kind and intelligent person he's ever met. Although Laura wasn't able to have children, Rocco said all of her nieces and nephews were like her kids. "She was small in stature, but big in heart," Rocco added.

He also said his aunt wanted to help the Albanian immigrants in her community and her door was always open to the families in her building. This was likely how she had some sort of relationship with Mecollari.

Jonathan Shugharts has been covering the case from the beginning for the Republican American. In his reporting on this case over the years, Shugharts learned Mecollari may have allegedly had a major drug problem and was acting out of desperation on a number of levels. Shugarts also added Mecollari was known to be obsessive compulsive, and would often make his own mother wash her hands repeatedly. This ties into the hand washing found at Laura's apartment, DNA was left behind in the bathroom, cops said.

Lt. Mike Slavin with the Waterbury Police has also been on the case from the very beginning. He said they found out December 20, on the day of the murder, Mecollari purchased a bus ticket to St. Petersburg, FL. Slavin and another detective jumped on a plane and flew directly to Florida to track him down. Slavin said were able to locate the bus, but Mecollari never made it to Florida, he got off in New York City.

Slavin also learned Mecollari told a friend he stabbed two people in Albania. Flying out of the country was not a problem for Lt. Slavin. He and his team got on a plane and flew to Albania to find out more about Mecollari. Investigators there also have him added to their top most wanted list for attempted murder.

Ervis Mecollari may have had nose surgery because of excessive drug use, cops said. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children helped to create an age-enhancement of what Mecollari may look like today. If you know where Ervis Mecollari is hiding out, please call or text our hotline. Host John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

HEIGHT: 5 feet 10 inches

WEIGHT: 175 pounds

HAIR: Black, could have grey or losing hair

EYES: Brown

SEX: Male

DOB: July 2, 1987

LOCATION OF CRIME: Waterbury, CT

DATE OF CRIME: December 18, 2008

CONNECTION TO: Florida, Connecticut, Albania, New York

CHARACTERISTICS: History of alleged drug use, may have weight fluctuation, could have a scar on his nose from surgery due to alleged excessive heroin use. Has obsessive compulsive tendencies, including hand washing.