Relatives Honor Murdered Loved Ones at Annual Day of Remembrance

HOUSTON, TX -- The City of Houston hosted its annual "Day of Remembrance" event at City Hall on Sunday night, paying respect to those murdered in Harris County.

The images of more than 300 murder victims killed over the last year were displayed, and their names were read aloud during the observance.

Whether the loss experienced by these families was new, or several years past, the wounds of these losses were still raw.

"At night is when I feel that he is missed the most," Calandrian Simpson Kemp told KRIV through tear filled eyes, as she recalled her son George, killed three years ago, "because it's hard as a mother to go in your house, and you want your child to be safe, to close and lock your door and know you still have to pass by an empty room."

Families who have lost loved ones to homicide are reminded to reach out to the Mayor's office of Crime Victims Assistance, which provides a variety of support.

Families brought pictures of their lost loved ones, shared stories and wept as city and county officials spoke on the importance of seeking justice.

"To the parents, or to the family members of murdered children, thank you for continuing to make a difference," Interim Chief Martha Montalvo, with the Houston Police Department, said.

Meanwhile, some of these cases have been solved while others remain open.

In March, Peter Mielke, 19, was gunned down by 26-year old Kiara Taylor, who came in to rob Regillini’s Pizza in Bellaire as it was closing, and shot Mielke several times because he could not open the cash register.

Taylor was arrested and is facing capital murder charges.

However, the killer of 19-year old Darrion Dixon remains at large.

Dixon was shot and killed in May, while walking along a street with his 13-year old brother-in-law.

"I want to know why would you take my son's life? At 19 years old, what did he do? I don't understand it," Darrion’s mother, Kimberly Dixon told KPRC.

The desire for victim’s families to find solace in the justice system has made the loss even tougher for families still waiting to have their cases solved.

Community leaders spoke about the significance of unity in the wake of these tragedies, and how important it is for them to share their stories.

"It's hard and it's unfair and at the end of the day everything happens for a reason and we're all united for whatever brought us together," said La'Voshea Hendry, from No More Victims, Inc, an advocacy organization for children of incarcerated parents.

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