National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Family members gathered at the Clinton Library Sunday afternoon to remember their murdered loved ones.

September 25th is National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims. While the ceremony itself is short, the pain felt by the loved ones left to mourn the loss of their loved ones lasts a lifetime. That's why those who attended the remembrance ceremony say it's important to come together and support one another.

Melinda Crowder is a victim advocate and also the mother of Casey Crowder, who died 5 years ago. "We are all here for the same reason. It may be for our mother, it may be for our father, it may be for our husband, maybe for our son or daughter, or maybe a cousin, niece or nephew, but we're all here for the same reason. We're here to memorialize them."

Sunday afternoon's ceremony is a chance for the survivors to honor the victims, and remember and celebrate their lives. Family members say this shouldn't be a sad day, but a special day to reflect on the happy times.

Norma Cagle is the mother of Sandra Williams, who was murdered 23 years ago. "Someone chose to take the life of my child. She was 20-years-old and certainly no angel, but she didn't deserve what she got. We still don't know who did it and we still don't know why."

Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay spoke to the survivors. "When you lose a loved one, there is no way you can ever have closure."

Sheriff Holladay says it's law enforcement's responsibility to hold those accountable for the crimes they've committed so the ones left to grieve can have some peace. "The role of law enforcement is to ensure the family has some kind of satisfaction."

For the survivors, they say the questions of who and why are the only answers they have left.

The remembrance ceremony was emotional for all those who attended who are dealing with their loss every single day. But they say having the support of each other helps deal with the grief.