Mary Bradford and Larry Bradford Sr., parents of 2015 homicide victim Larry Bradford II, said Thursday that they hope a fresh reward will prompt someone to come forward with information in the case. (Lawrence Specker/LSpecker@AL.com)

The state is offering a $5,000 reward in a grisly 2015 homicide involving a victim found decapitated and dismembered in Prichard.

Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich, accompanied by acting Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency chief Stan Stabler, announced the reward at a Thursday press conference. The event was attended by members of the victim's family, who said they're still hoping for closure in the case after almost two years of uncertainty.

The body of 33-year-old Larry James Bradford II was discovered on Velma Street in Prichard in August 2015. Speaking at a press conference held that month, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Wright said that his body was found on the side of the street "decapitated with both legs and both arms cut off."

His family had reported him missing on Aug. 11; his remains were found Aug. 19. Both the Prichard Police Department and the DA's office requested anyone with information on the case to come forward, but it has remained unsolved.

"It was a big news story back then and we are still continuing to work this case," said Rich. "This has been a collaborative effort between the Prichard Police Department, the state bureau of investigation and the Mobile County District Attorney's office."

"We are seeking the public to come forward with any information they have about this case," Rich said. Anyone with information can call state investigators at 334-637-0131, Prichard police at 251-452-2211 or the D.A.'s office at 251-574-8400.

Rich said investigators were hopeful the reward, made official by a proclamation from the governor's office, would prompt a source to "do the right thing." "Because we have a family that's suffering here today," she said. "Their loved one has been killed and they don't have closure and they don't have justice."

Knight said he felt a break in the case would be significant for the Prichard public, due to the horrific nature of the crime. "I think it would be a big deal, because it's kind of scary," he said.

Larry Bradford senior, the father of the victim, said he appreciated the work being done by investigators.

He was overcome by emotion when talking about the family's struggles to deal with its loss. "It's just been hard," he said. "We don't know what's going to make them do it, but they need to come forward."

Mary Bradford, the victim's mother, said the family had also been plagued by the suspicion that the perpetrator was still in the local community.

"It's hard," she said. "You can't judge God. When it's time to go, it's time to go. But the way they took him away from me, it hurts."