The Kansas City Police Department is under scrutiny as the homicide investigation of Elaysha Gilliam, a 26-year-old pregnant mother of four, remains unsolved over five weeks after her body was discovered on February 19, 2024, in a field near Dunbar Park in Kansas City, Missouri. Gilliam suffered multiple gunshot wounds in a case that has left her family and community seeking answers and justice.
The frustration among Gilliam’s family members, particularly Clydetta Gilliam, Elaysha’s stepmother, is palpable. In a statement to a news outlet, Clydetta said that authorities are dragging themselves and not giving the family any updates about the case. Despite the Kansas City Police Department’s claim that the investigation is ongoing, the absence of updates has exacerbated the family’s anguish.
Ed Gilliam, the victim’s father, expressed his grief, stating, “She was undeserving of such a fate. Her generous spirit was precious to countless individuals. We’re doing our best to be resilient for her children’s sake, yet the difficulty is immense given her deep connections and the mystery surrounding her passing.”
He shared that his daughter was fiercely passionate and tirelessly dedicated to her children, who were her world. He hopes for resolution and justice in her case.
Elaysha leaves behind a legacy of resilience and love, as her family recounts. With four children between the ages of 2 and 9, two of whom face significant health challenges—one with sickle cell anemia and another dependent on a feeding tube—her dedication to her family marked her life.
Elaysha’s mother had only days before moved in with her to help her out. She informed Gilliam’s brother that on the night of her death, Elaysha had gone out to meet her boyfriend. Detectives are currently focusing on a person of interest and have announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to a resolution in the case. Yet, the Gilliam family finds themselves in limbo, awaiting developments that might bring closure to Elaysha’s tragic story.
The context of her death casts a sad light on the broader issues of violence and systemic challenges in solving such crimes. Kansas City is grappling with a rising trend in homicides, with Black women particularly affected. In 2023, a local news station reported that Missouri is deemed the riskiest state for this group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s data corroborates this, showing Missouri had the highest homicide rate for Black women and girls in 2020.
In response to the police’s perceived inaction, Elaysha’s family is taking measures to keep her memory alive and press for accountability. “I’m not going to let them sweep this under the rug. I want every single person charged,” Clydetta stated, reflecting a broader determination to seek justice for Elaysha. The family’s efforts include plans for a billboard advertisement and public appeals for information that might aid the investigation.
The Kansas City Police Department urges anyone who knows about the case to come forward. As the investigation continues, the Gilliam family and a concerned community hope that justice will be served, honoring Elaysha’s memory and the lives she touched.
