DETROIT – A solemn memorial occurred at The Spirit of Detroit, with Crime Stoppers sending a message to families that their loved ones will not be forgotten.
A powerful message was on full display Friday (June 21) from the families who’ve lost someone to a violent crime.
Local 4 connected with one mother who said she would not give up on finding her daughter. We learned that she had since moved out of state but returned for the event.
On display were homicide cold cases of people who had never been found.
“We want to bring justice to your families, and we will not forget,” said Detroit police Homicide Captain Donna McCord.
McCord stated that she has heard those prayers and feels the family’s pain.
“Don’t give up because we are not going to give up,” McCord said. “The chief is very passionate about our cold case unit. He has added new members to it just to make sure that we have enough manpower and resources that we need to work these cases.”
“You have been on this journey since day one,” said Tamela Wells’s mother, Donna Davis.
Davis is 1,000 miles away, but she attended the Detroit Police Never Forgotten Memorial through Facetime.
We were there with Davis 12 years ago when her daughter vanished. The mother of two has never been found.
“This is the journey I have been on,” Davis said. “Not just the fight for Tamela, but the fight for loved ones and the loss of loved ones, just everyday life just like everybody else. I can’t give up, can’t stop. This is getting to the weakest part of me now.”
McCord said she was familiar with Wells’ case and that the department had been trying to find her for several years. She said they’re still passionate and working on the case as diligently as they can, and they won’t give up.
“I was that mother that was full of tears and emotion but still standing strong in what I believe in,” Davis said. “It will be 12 years in August. That’s a long time.”
McCord said that although the years have passed, technology has become more advanced, and she is confident that many cold cases will be solved sooner rather than later.
Anyone with information should contact your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.
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--> Activists try to raise awareness for unsolved cold cases in Detroit