An Online Memorial for Victims of Murder

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

We Remember

Only a little more than 60 percent of homicides are cleared according to FBI statistics for 2007 (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2007/offenses/clearances/index.html). That would mean for the 17-thousand murders in the U.S. in 2007, 68-hundred are unsolved, or, at least, there is no arrest. That means that a lot of people are getting away with murder. We propose an on-line memorial for victims of murder. To do this we solicit brief histories of the victims, the crime, a photograph of the victim, and a case contact for the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the case.

[Shirley Emerson]

I think that's a great idea!!

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

Yea, isn't it?!

This is such a great, incredible organization/site, its called Delayed Justice...

Doc•u•men•ta•ry: Murder through the lens

Murder is death unlike any other, the intentional deprivation of life. In telling the story of unsolved and often seemingly cold cases (these cases are NEVER cold to the victims’ families) we are not trying to do the work of law enforcement. That’s not our job. Our job, however, is to tell the story of each victim, of that victim’s life and family, of the investigation into the crime, and the aftermath that’s left when any violent crime remains unsolved. We’re not here to criticize efforts; we’re here to let those closest to the crime tell the story.

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

How we choose which stories to tell

Right now these murders have to be local; my other film work has to fund the inquiries. Aside from that, really there are only two criteria that must be met:

• First, the jurisdictional police agency must be willing to share case details with us. This does not mean that we demand that they open the case files to us, but that they’d take the time to review the files, share selected details and materials.

• Second, someone in the victim’s family must be willing for us to tell the story of the murder. Not all families will welcome refreshing the pain that inevitably accompanies a murder. Often, families are not of a single mind about whether they want us to get involved or not. There is no hard-and-fast rule about how we’ll proceed…with the exception that it will be prayerful.

At this time, we are working on murders in West Michigan. If our enterprise is successful, we may be willing to go further afield and take on cases where we’d have to do more than drive. (Deo volente labor proficit.)

Beyond that, there is no charge to families or law agencies for our services.

[Christy Hotchkiss]

yes This definitely scarey. More than hard for most of us to fathom or believe in todays world with all this technology around us. BUT REAL. The families have to understand what Thi site is about, to see the ide of support not intrusion, not to stir up old or new grief but to assist with it, to relay kindness, care and support. That Unsolved is just UNACCEPTABLE!
We have lost someone, a part of us, we have lostt a part of ourselves, our trust, our faith and our beliefs are challenged, assaulted and turned around and around all because of senseless acts..... It will be a tricky but worthwhile path!

[judy]

yes people get by with murder, some familys will never know the true storys, of what happen to the people they love, to me that is sad, we have to have a end to find peace,

[Cynthia Turner]

Yes this is a great ideal. I want to share my son's unsolved murder. Just tell me when , I can furnish the information asap.

Thanks,
Cynthia