BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The homicide case involving a southwest Bakersfield man has gone cold, and a year later his family is hitting the streets in hopes to find his killer.

Norberto Gutierrez, or better known as Beto, was known for being a mamma's boy and a loving person who had no enemies. That's why it is so hard for his family to come to terms with why somebody would want to kill him.

"It hurts so much. They have no idea what they have done to our lives. He was my only son and I miss him so much," said Beto's mom, Vera Garay.

What hurts even more, is that his killer is still on the loose.

Beto's dad and sister, Melissa Jensen, found him dead on his bathroom floor March 14, 2009.

Jensen said this was such an unthinkable crime, especially since Beto was physically impaired due to a traumatic brain injury he suffered while at work.

"We didn't think that somebody would do this to a person who had brain surgery," said Jensen.

Witnesses reported seeing a 6-foot-tall white woman with blond hair and a black male companion near Beto's apartment that morning. They also described a teal four door hatchback parked in front of his door.

But Beto's family believes somebody out there knows more and isn't coming forward.

"People like this will always get away with stuff like this because their crime is being covered up. Somebody has to see something. These people were somebody's neighbors," said Garay.

Since Beto's slaying, his family has returned to the neighborhood only a few times. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, they will be back out in the neighborhood with fliers urging people with information to speak up.

"Please don't keep it to yourself, please talk about it. Please talk to the detective, call the secret witness, don't let this crime go unsolved," said Garay.

The Secret Witness Program is offering a $5,000 reward to anybody who has information leading to an arrest and conviction in Beto's case.

If you have any information you are being urged to contact Detective Kevin Findley at 326-3919 or the secret witness tip line at 322-4040. The phone line is open 24 hours a day and you can remain anonymous.