A safe space for the support of loved ones of St. Croix murder victims was provided Sunday by the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix. The event titled “Healing and Speaking Our Pain: Remembering Our Loved Ones” was held from 4 to 6 p.m.
Participants wore clothing and hats either created to remember their loved ones or the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims colors of red and black. The evening marked the 15th anniversary of the event, which was designated by the U.S. Congress to acknowledge the consequences of homicides on family, friends, and the communities of murder victims.
Thirteen people were murdered in the territory by the middle of July 2022. Only one case has been solved. Those attending the event spoke of family members and friends who had been murdered over 20-plus years, many of whom were police officers.
Approximately 25 people attended the event at the WCSC’s new convention center located next to their Crisis Center in Christiansted.
The Wall of Remembrance provided a display of the names of murder victims since 1974 on St. Croix. The 108 slides took 15 minutes to play, after which was the traditional “Moment of Silence.”