MIAMI -- A year after powerboat racing champion Don Aronow was gunned down on Miami's Gasoline Alley, police still have no motive and no suspects in the murder and a $100,000 reward offered by his widow still is unclaimed.
'It's a real stumper,' said Metro-Dade Police Detective Mike Decora. 'Basically we've no good, solid evidence to go on.'
Last Feb. 3, Aronow was shot to death in his Mercedes-Benz. The driver of a dark blue Lincoln Town Car pulled alongside him, then opened fire.
While Aronow, 59, lay bleeding to death on Gasoline Alley, the name boat-lovers gave to the street lined with powerboat companies Aronow founded, a thief took his gold Rolex watch.
A composite drawing of the suspected gunman has prompted dozens of tips, but the identity of the killer remains a mystery. The killer's car has never been found, and detectives are still contacting the owners of the 2,500 dark colored Town Cars sold in south Florida in recent years.
Also missing is the imposter who entered Aronow's USA Racing Team offices shortly before the murder. The man told Aronow he was interested in buying a boat and gave his name as 'Jerry Jacobi.'
Aronow told the man he knew the real Jerry Jacobi, a powerboat racer, and asked him what he wanted. The imposter left. Police are still not sure if he was the killer.
'I don't know any more today than I knew a year ago,' said Aronow's longtime racing partner Norris 'Nocky' House.
Said son Michael Aronow, 'I don't understand it. We don't know why. We just don't know why.'
Aronow, who sold high-speed boats to clients ranging from Vice President George Bush to Baby Doc Duvalier, gave no hint his life might be in danger and police are not aware of any death threats.
Aronow spent the morning of his death supervising the workmen remodeling his new waterfornt house in Miami Beach, where he and his second wife, Lillian, planned to live with their two young children.
There has been speculation drugs played a role in the murder. Aronow's most famous design, the Cigarette, was a favorite with drug smugglers, but he also helped design Blue Thunder, used by customs agents to chase smugglers.
Police have no evidence he was involved in any illegal activity, and federal authorities said he never worked as an informant.
Police continue to explore a possible link between Aronow's murder and the August arrest of marina owner Ben Kramer on drug smuggling charges.