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The In Memoriam Page is the complete listing.
NCAVP mourns the deaths of Shanta Myers, Jeremiah Myers, Shanise Myers, and Brandi Mells who were found dead on December 26, 2017. According to media reports, Shanta Myers, 36, and her two children, as well as her partner, Brandi, were bound before being killed. There are no suspects yet in their murders. Isaiah Myers, 15, Shanta’s oldest son, was out of town at the time and is the only surviving member of the family.
We mourn the loss of Shanta Myers, her children, 11-year-old Jeremiah and 5-year-old Shanise, and her partner, 22-year-old Brandi Mells, and we send love and care to their friends and loved ones, especially Isaiah, Shanta’s eldest son. The Myers-Mells family were remembered by many as loving, sweet, and good-natured.
NCAVP member In Our Own Voices, an LGBTQ people of color organization located in Albany, New York, released a statement about the tragic murders:
“In Our Own Voices is deeply saddened by the tragic news out of Lansingburgh, New York (Troy), this week. Violence impacting any community is devastating and difficult to comprehend. Violence involving children and community members can be even harder to understand and/or navigate. As an LGBT people of color organization, the Staff and Board of In Our Own Voices would like to extend our sincerest condolences to all those impacted by this senseless and horrific act, and offer $1,000 REWARD for any information on who may have taken the lives of Shanta Myers, 36, her partner Brandi Mells, 22, and their two children- Shanise Myers, 5, and Jeremiah “JJ” Myers, 11 years old. Please forward the information to the Troy Police Department at (518) 270-4411. We look forward to the exhaustive and just resolution of this crime for the Myers’ family and our community. Finally, we are here If you or anyone maybe experiencing difficulty in the aftermath of this event, please contact IOOV’s Capital Region Anti-Violence Project at 518.432.4188.
To donate to the Funeral & Memorial services for Myers Family, please go to: https://www.gofundme.com/peaceforthemyersfamily. The fundraiser will help alleviate the cost of funeral and burial services. Additional money will be used to provide Mental Health services to the kids, families and the community as well as setting up a scholarship and living money for the surviving child, Isaiah, 16. Every dollar helps. Please donate today.”
In memory of Shanta Myers, Jeremiah Myers, Shanise Myers, and Brandi Mells.
We know it can be hard to read these reports of violence against our communities. If you need support in these difficult times, you can always reach out to your local NCAVP member. Read the full list here.
NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.