Event to remember murder victims
The families of murder victims will be given an opportunity to memorialize their loved ones as the first Season of Remembrance program will be held here Friday, Dec. 7.
‘We want the families of the victims of homicide to know they are not forgotten,’ said District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis, who is coordinating the inaugural event. ‘This is a way for the loved ones of victims to gather together to support one another and remember the people who were the victims of crime.’
The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the Circuit Courtroom at Warren County Courthouse. Zavogiannis said there will be a guest speaker and a ceremony to honor the homicide victims.
‘This will include victims of all homicides, whether it be murder or vehicular homicide,’ Zavogiannis said. ‘Any crime where a loved one was lost.’
Zavogiannis said she has modeled the local observance after a program created by the governor’s office, which has a similar observance in Nashville each year.
‘When I attended the memorial at the governor’s office, it touched me and I thought right then we need to do something like that here,’ Zavogiannis said.
With the inaugural event, Zavogiannis said her office is asking loved ones of homicide victims to contact her office at 473-9572 if they would like to attend and remember a victim.
‘We can’t do this without the loved ones of homicide victims coming forward because we don’t want to leave out anyone who is interested in participating,’ said Zavogiannis, noting the event will be for the entire 31st District including Warren and Van Buren counties. ‘We have already made some calls but there are cases we may not remember or know about.’
Zavogiannis said there is no limit on how long ago the homicide occurred, noting those interested need to contact her office at the earliest possible time so arrangements can be made.
‘This time of year is truly the time for remembrance,’ Zavogiannis said.