SPD announces 'Who killed me?' campaign to solve cold cases
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SEATTLE -- Seattle police unveiled a new campaign Tuesday aimed at finding the killers in 17 murders that have gone unsolved in the city since January 2010.
The "Who Killed Me? Don't Stay Silent" campaign depicts photos of Seattle victims on space-donated Clear Channel Outdoor billboards and digital network located throughout the Seattle and surrounding areas.
King County Transit buses are also part of the campaign to further increase awareness.
"Looking at those faces, Desmond's looks so sad how can you not want to do something?" wondered Marlo Williams. Her son Desmond Jackson died in February -- shot while standing by his car in the SoDo neighborhood. Desmond was 22, never in trouble -- not so much as a parking ticket.
"Desmond's murder has caused a huge impact on our family, not just the hurt and the pain we suffer but I have an eight year old son who walks in fear each and every day," Marlo Williams said.
The second face is that of Nicole Westbrook. She came to Seattle to go to school. Her life ended in Pioneer Square.
"Let everybody know, speak up, everything is anonymous," said Marcia Westbrook, Nicole's sister. "We need closure. Our families need closure."
The third face is Danny Vega. He was beaten to death by teens, possibly because he was openly gay.
"We pray to God that even if not all the murders will be solved, at least some of them will be," said Valentina Vega, Danny's sister.
In the crowd Tuesday announcing the program were others dealing with unsolved murders. They have the same hope that billboards will work.
"Murder is not OK," said Stephen Wood. "Be human enough to bring that information forward."
Those with information are asked to text "SPD" with their tip to 274637, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
You can find a list of the murder victims and information about the crimes on the Seattle Police Website
The "Who Killed Me? Don't Stay Silent" campaign depicts photos of Seattle victims on space-donated Clear Channel Outdoor billboards and digital network located throughout the Seattle and surrounding areas.
King County Transit buses are also part of the campaign to further increase awareness.
"Looking at those faces, Desmond's looks so sad how can you not want to do something?" wondered Marlo Williams. Her son Desmond Jackson died in February -- shot while standing by his car in the SoDo neighborhood. Desmond was 22, never in trouble -- not so much as a parking ticket.
"Desmond's murder has caused a huge impact on our family, not just the hurt and the pain we suffer but I have an eight year old son who walks in fear each and every day," Marlo Williams said.
The second face is that of Nicole Westbrook. She came to Seattle to go to school. Her life ended in Pioneer Square.
"Let everybody know, speak up, everything is anonymous," said Marcia Westbrook, Nicole's sister. "We need closure. Our families need closure."
The third face is Danny Vega. He was beaten to death by teens, possibly because he was openly gay.
"We pray to God that even if not all the murders will be solved, at least some of them will be," said Valentina Vega, Danny's sister.
In the crowd Tuesday announcing the program were others dealing with unsolved murders. They have the same hope that billboards will work.
"Murder is not OK," said Stephen Wood. "Be human enough to bring that information forward."
Those with information are asked to text "SPD" with their tip to 274637, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
You can find a list of the murder victims and information about the crimes on the Seattle Police Website
So this is a cool idea. Don't know how many cold cases they are talking here, but it's usually a combination of low numbers of available personnel as well as the lack of true clues. Here in my town, we have one detective for cold cases. Any request from another department somewhere takes time away from that person, and possibly other assets. This takes neither one. Cool idea.
Why are they only targeting cold cases since 2010, I am sure family members of everyone who lost someone would like to have some closure. I believe we need to include every unsolved murder in Seattle and the surrounding area.
p.s. you don't need to hold the bike up, that's what the kickstand is doing.
Getting the killers apprehended is one thing.
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Actually putting their murdering necks in the noose for the justice they deserve is another.
"I sure love watching the leaves turn from green to orange in autumn." "Yea, me too. It's really beautiful."
Add Yancy! might be a good place to put a picture of the silver bmw too. also, I was giving his case some thought this weekend. Unless his murderer has a 5' long right arm, shouldn't we be looking for this particular BMW with burns on the front or rear passenger seat and or floor mats? The shell casings come out very hot, hot enough to put some burns in thin leather or carpet. Of course if shooter had a revolver this wouldn't be the case, but slicked back hair BMW dude with $ would seem more like a glock owner to me. Also, why don't the police tell us what kind of gun was used? Since they have the bullets from yancy's body they should know not only the caliber, but can probably also determine the type of gun used by the rifling marks on the spent bullets. Usually people with guns have at least one friend who has seen that gun, and if we can single out the owner of the particular gun who also has this rare silver BMW seems like it should be easy to find them. So police, give the public more info please so we can help solve this case before it goes cold.
Why couldn't they have named it Cold Case Files instead?
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"Who killed me?"....really?
Sends a great message to tourists...lol