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Metro Detroit mother turns pain into purpose after son’s murder

The murder, coupled with a cemetery losing his remains, forced the family to focus on faith

A mother from Metro Detroit is making it her mission to turn pain into purpose.

Patrice Wilson-Graham lost her son, Martinus Wilson, to an act of senseless gun violence in 2016.

Since his murder, she’s been focusing on faith and making sure her son’s legacy of service to others continues.

“He was a go-getter,” Wilson-Graham said as she smiled.

Martinus loved helping others and died doing just that. The 20-year-old was driving a couple of his friends home after a work shift when a gunman ambushed his car.

“The car was shot up,” Wilson-Graham said. “Him and another co-worker passed, and one survived.”

Her son’s murder, coupled with a local cemetery losing his remains, forced the family to focus on faith.

A mother from Metro Detroit is making it her mission to turn pain into purpose. (Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.)

Now, Wilson-Graham calls herself a mom on a mission. She’s working to ensure her son’s service legacy continues.

She recently launched The Martinus Way Foundation. Through the nonprofit, Wilson-Graham and her partners are committed to giving back.

They’re inspiring community members, especially moms, to realize their potential.

Wilson-Graham said,” You may be stuck in some way, and you just don’t know the key to get to that next level. Well, we are going to help you go get it. We are going to help you do it, Martinus Way. We’re going to help you push through whatever that hurdle is and to make a better outcome.”

Click here to learn more about The Martinus Way Foundation.


About the Author
Demond Fernandez headshot

Demond Fernandez joined the Local 4 News team in 2023, anchoring our 5:30 p.m. newscast and reporting on important stories impacting our community. He joined WDIV from WFAA in Dallas where he was a senior reporter focusing southern Dallas communities.

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