The Kansas City Police Department in Missouri is being closely watched as the unsolved murder case of Elaysha Gilliam, a 26-year-old pregnant mother of four, enters its second month. Gilliam’s body was found on February 19, 2024, in a field near Dunbar Park, Kansas City, Missouri, riddled with multiple bullet wounds. Her family and the local community are pressing for answers and justice.

Clydetta Gilliam, the victim’s stepmother, has voiced her family’s frustration at the seeming lack of progress in the investigation. In a statement to a news outlet, she criticized the authorities for moving too slowly and not providing the family with any updates on the case. This, she said, is amplifying the family’s distress, despite assurances from the Kansas City Police Department that the investigation is ongoing.

Elaysha’s father, Ed Gilliam, spoke of his daughter’s cruel end and the ripple effects of her violent death. “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 said.

Ed Gilliam underscored that his daughter was deeply devoted to her children, who were the center of her life. He expressed the hope for a resolution and justice for his daughter’s case.

Elaysha is remembered by her family for her resilience and love. The mother of four children ranging in age from two to nine, including one with sickle cell anemia and another reliant on a feeding tube, she showed immense dedication to her family. Her mother had moved in with her just days before her death to provide support. On the night of her death, Elaysha had gone out to meet her boyfriend, according to her mother.

Detectives are currently focusing on a person of interest in the case and have announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information that could help solve it. However, the Gilliam family remains in a state of uncertainty, waiting for developments that could bring an end to Elaysha’s tragic tale.

Elaysha’s death illuminates the broader problem of violence and the systemic issues involved in solving such crimes. Kansas City is struggling with a rising trend in homicides, with Black women being disproportionately affected. In 2023, a local news station reported that Missouri was rated the most dangerous state for this demographic group. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed this, indicating that Missouri had the highest homicide rate for Black women and girls in 2020.

In the face of perceived police inaction, Elaysha’s family is taking steps to ensure her memory endures and to demand accountability. “I’m not going to let them sweep this under the rug. I want every single person charged,” Clydetta stated. The family is planning a billboard advertisement and public appeals for information to aid the investigation.

The Kansas City Police Department is encouraging anyone with information about the case to step forward. As the investigation continues, the Gilliam family, along with the wider community, is hoping for justice to be served, in memory of Elaysha and the lives she touched.