Homicides 2021 538
Jada Hellams, 21: “She wanted better for herself, for her family – to change the narrative”
Growing up in North Philadelphia, Jada Hellams was on a first-name basis with struggle. She’d been there, done that and envisioned a better life for herself. She enrolled in Central Penn College, despite it being in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania, because it was affordable. As the first person in her family to attend college, […]
Shaquille Barbour, 18, enterprising optimist with a radiant smile
Shineka Crawford just knew that her baby boy would be a giant. During her pregnancy, her belly expanded so much that she looked like she was having twins. Swift karate kicks in the womb pummeled her insides. She spent seven months on bedrest. Born on April 8, 2003, Shaquille “Shaq” Barbour (named after basketball legend […]
Police recorded 48 murders in June; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police responded to 48 […]
Cameron Scott-Bey, 19, clever artist and sensitive soul
By the time he turned six years old, Cameron “Cam” Scott-Bey would dump a heap of drawings in various stages of completion all over his bedroom floor in Mount Airy. He then scanned his collection, using a discerning eye to add a bit more motion to Michael Jackson’s spin or outline the exact outfit that […]
Police recorded 55 homicides in May; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police responded to 55 […]
Khaliyl Gilbert, 22, a big dreamer who was accepted to the Police Academy
Khaliyl Gilbert was different. He had high standards not only for himself, but also for those around him, and he challenged people to do better. He had friends in the neighborhood who had trouble finding work because they had records, so he did all he could to help. “He’d go into different businesses and go […]
Police recorded 34 homicides in April; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police responded to 34 […]
Police recorded 38 homicides in March; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia police responded to 38 […]
Jasahn Barnes, 30, whose Florida real estate dreams were cut short
Jasahn Barnes was going to make some big moves in 2022. He and his oldest child’s mother planned to relocate from Philadelphia to Florida and give their relationship another try in a new environment. He wanted to get into real estate and possibly start a demolition and cleaning business. Most of all, he wanted to […]
David Johnson, 40: ‘Being a good person cost him his life’
David Levine Johnson Jr. kept up with friends and family as if it was his job. He was known for making his rounds, popping in to hug and kiss everyone and asking if they were okay. “David was an active person, so you’d see him one minute and he’s gone the next,” said his sister, […]
Police recorded 42 murders in Philadelphia in February; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia police responded to 42 […]
Brian Madera, 22, high-flying truck driver and ‘happy soul’
Brian Madera was living large and proud, sometimes grossing $7,000 a week driving his 18-wheeler, Big Bertha, and blowing nearly half of it in one weekend at the club. He took frequent vacations to the Dominican Republic, where his family was from, and would blare Bachata music when he showed up for work at 2 […]
Police recorded 46 murders in Philadelphia in January; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia police responded to 46 […]
Kyron Howerton, 24, doting father who “fixed everything”
Kyron “Rondo” Howerton was an unabashed “momma’s boy.” He and his mother, Kimberly, hung out at the mall, walked along the Delaware River waterfront, cooked soul food together, and swapped relationship and parenting advice. When Kimberly dropped more than 130 pounds, Kyron cheered her on Instagram: “Ma, you got this! You’re looking like a snack […]
Ninetyfive South Stewart, 30, a vegan who made family his priority
He went by Anthony and Kareem at different points in his life, but by the time he became an adult, Ninetyfive South Stewart had embraced his unusual name. “It brought him a lot of attention, and he loved attention,” his sister Darlene Lee said. Ninetyfive was born at the Dover Toll Plaza in Delaware on […]
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