The family of Elaysha Gilliam, a 26-year-old pregnant woman found dead at a park in Kansas City, is seeking answers from the police as the investigation into her death continues.
Gilliam, who was expecting her fifth child, was discovered on Feb. 19 in a field near Dunbar Park with multiple gunshot wounds, according to NBC News.
However, since the grim discovery, the investigation appears to have made little progress, leaving Gilliam’s family frustrated with the lack of information provided by authorities.
Clydetta Gilliam, Elaysha’s stepmother, expressed her frustration, stating that the police seem to be “dragging their feet” in uncovering the truth about her stepdaughter’s death.
“I want closure, we need answers,” Clydetta Gilliam said, adding, “The police are dragging their feet, but I need to go out here and solve the case myself. They aren’t giving us anything.”
She also raised questions about the investigation, asking whether there were any fingerprints from shell casings, what was found around Elaysha’s body, and whether she was clothed when she was discovered.
Elaysha Gilliam’s death has left her family devastated, particularly her four young children, all under the age of 9. Her biological mother had moved in with her just days before the tragic incident, as Elaysha was working towards improving her life and that of her family.
According to her birth mother, Elaysha was on her way to see her boyfriend on the night of her death.
The case is particularly concerning amid Kansas City’s rising homicide rate, especially for Black women. Reports from 2023 revealed that the city is considered the most dangerous in Missouri for this demographic.
Data from the CDC also showed that Missouri had the highest rate of homicide for Black women and girls in 2020.
As of now, Kansas City police have made no arrests in connection with Elaysha Gilliam’s death but continue to investigate it as a homicide. Detectives have offered a $25,000 reward for any information leading to the resolution of the case.
