And although she knows a potential suspect in the death of Brandon D’Annunzio, her 24-year-old son who died in East Lansing 11 years ago, Shawn D’Annunzio will never have justice.

But Tuesday, a change to Michigan law to help other families find closure was moved to the Michigan Senate.

“I do not want to see another family have to go through what my family has gone through these past 11 years,” Shawn D’Annunzio said during a Senate meeting Tuesday.

The amendment, which was inspired by the D’Annunzio’s story, would extend the amount of time manslaughter, attempted murder and kidnapping can be prosecuted in Michigan from 10 years to 20 years.

All four members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to endorse the bill. It will be discussed again on the Senate floor.

“This man lost his life,” said Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, the primary sponsor of the bill, during the meeting Tuesday.

“And we can’t get justice for his parents.”

Brandon D’Annunzio was punched in the face on Oct. 1, 2000 outside Buffalo Wild Wings, at the time called BW-3, and located at 220 M.A.C. Ave.

He fell backward and cracked his skull open on the concrete sidewalk which put him in coma. He died 11 days later.

After The State News published an article last year on the 10th anniversary of Brandon D’Annunzio’s death, a witness came forward and gave East Lansing Police Department a lead on a suspect in the case.

Although there is no limit on when murder can be prosecuted in Michigan, the incident has been deemed manslaughter, which has a 10-year statute of limitations.

A statute of limitation defines the amount of time prosecutors can pursue the case after a crime is committed.

“We got our hopes up,” Shawn D’Annunzio said. “I’d never heard of the statute of limitations, I just knew there was a possibility we’d see some justice.”

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III went to Shawn D’Annunzio’s home in Commerce Township, Mich., to break the news to her.

“It was the longest drive I’ve ever had to make, because I had to tell her we couldn’t prosecute the man who (might have) killed her son,” Dunnings said.

The statute of limitations on manslaughter is a loophole in Michigan law that until now was unknown to multiple legislators, Jones said.

Shawn D’Annunzio voice choked, and tears ran down her face as she begged the senators to help change current legislation.

“I will do everything possible to make sure this bill passes,” Jones said.

After the changes were endorsed, Shawn D’Annunzio said she felt “wonderful,” and her voice broke again with emotion.

“I see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Shawn D’Annunzio said.