The pain of not knowing
Left: Rodney Graham, was a teenager when his cousin, Nicole “Niki” Haynes was brutally murdered in 1995. He is still searching for answers.
Below: Sonya Allen and her
granddaughter, Kamiya. Over 50 people showed up for a peaceful candlelight vigil on June 29, 2012. Her son, Brandon was murdered in 2007, he never got to meet his
daughter, Kamiya.
TNCP photos
LANSING, MI — Nicole “Niki” Haynes’ murder is still unsolved. On February 15, 1995, 17-year-old Haynes was murdered at her residence. According to the autopsy report she died of a massive head injury. She was found around 11:45 a.m. the next day at 642 S. Francis St. in the living room. Snow covered the ground as freezing rain drizzled onto the street as family members and friends gathered at the scene of the crime.
At the time of the investigation, there were no signs of forced entry and no descriptions of suspects, weapons or vehicles. The case has continued to baffle her family and friends.
No matter the efforts of law enforcement, some crimes do go unsolved. It is possible for “cold cases” to be solved by citizens who may hold a critical piece of information useful in solving a case.
Haynes’ mother, Elizabeth Wing, passed away brokenhearted. She was always advocating on behalf of her daughter.
Rodney Graham, Haynes’ cousin lamented, “What did she do to deserve this? Someone knows what happened to Niki and I am just hoping that enough time has passed that someone would be willing to speak up.”
Graham said that after her death, he had a difficult time with it. Trouble ensued for him in the years that followed. He stated that for many years he was angry and had to make the decision to move forward.
He added, “I realized that this was my life and hit rock bottom. I would let little things bother me. I feel like my whole family has been victimized by this murder.”
Now, more than 18 years later, Graham is doing very well and Niki’s murder still remains unsolved.
Graham said, “I hope this article will bring us some new information. I also hope that the case is still open because we have not found any justice for Niki. We need to bring some sense of knowing to her family and friends, who have their own families and did not get to see her start one. We still miss her and the pain of not knowing is overwhelming for those who love her.”
Over 20 years later on June 30, 2007, 17-year old, Brandon Williams, was gunned down outside of his apartment. During an interview at that time with WLIX Channel 10 News, his mother Sonya Allen said that everybody loved Brandon and that he was a fighter who was not given a chance. Every year since the murder, the family gathers at 3900 block of Burneway Drive where he shot and killed. Witnesses of the shooting told Allen that the shooter was not a familiar face in the neighborhood.
It has been almost 6 years and his family still gathers for a candlelight vigil every year. The trauma and pain of his death is still evident. Allen states that her life will forever be changed and she is hoping that the murderer of her son will be found. Williams’ case is still unsolved.
This was printed in the March 24, 2013 – April 6, 2013 Edition
CORRECTION MADE TO THE DATE OF DEATH March 25, 2013
