Marina
In Kansas City, Missouri, the family of Jonathan Rodgers, a 35-year-old man tragically killed six months ago, continues to hold a vigil and demand justice.
On the night of his death, Rodgers was killed near the intersection of E. 6th Street and Monroe Avenue in northeast Kansas City.
Despite months passing, his mother, Zelpha Rodgers, has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation and is calling on the Kansas City Police Department to do more.
The Grief of Zelpha Rodgers
Zelpha Rodgers, Jonathan’s mother, has been vocal about her grief and frustration. She described the emotional toll the loss has taken on her and her family, especially on Jonathan’s three children, aged 5, 6, and 17.
“I’m grieving, but I’m not,” Zelpha said, revealing how difficult it has been for her to fully mourn her son’s death. “I cannot fully mourn, at times, I will start to break. And I just stop, take a deep breath, cause I can’t.”
Zelpha shared that her son’s primary focus in life was his children, and the pain of losing him is compounded by how hard it has been for his kids to come to terms with the tragedy.
She recalled how his young children expressed their sorrow, saying, “This is the worst Thanksgiving ever, this is the worst Christmas ever. We want daddy!”
Lack of Progress in the Investigation
Since Jonathan’s death, Zelpha has been critical of the Kansas City Police Department for not making more progress in the investigation. She stated that despite being told the case is still open, there have been no arrests, no suspects identified, and no questioning of potential witnesses.
Zelpha emphasized that she had even brought new information to the detectives, but nothing has been done. “There’s been no progress.
The only thing I’m being told is, ‘oh, calm down, it’s still an open case,’” she said. “Why aren’t they doing something? If it were their child, they would have someone in custody.”
She expressed the pain of feeling neglected by the authorities, stating, “If it were their child, they would have someone in custody. Why aren’t they doing more?”
Jonathan’s Plans and the Community’s Pain
Zelpha vividly recalled that, on the night of his death, Jonathan had called her, expressing his intent to turn his life around.
He was planning to live with her full-time, had secured a job he was set to start the following Monday, and had made arrangements to enter an inpatient rehab facility. Zelpha highlighted how her son was actively working on improving his life when the tragedy struck.
“He was ready to get everything under control,” Zelpha said, defending Jonathan’s character and reminding the public that despite his struggles, he was more than just a statistic.
Community Support and Calls for Justice
Zelpha believes that people know what happened to Jonathan on that fateful night, and she is pleading with anyone who has information to come forward.
“Please, before it happens to you or someone you love, call in, do something, please,” she urged the public, hoping that someone with information will break the silence.
She expressed the deep emotional burden that her family continues to carry, particularly Jonathan’s children, who are still processing their loss.
A Breakdown of the Case and Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Jonathan Rodgers (35 years old) |
| Date of Death | Six months ago, near E. 6th Street & Monroe Avenue, Kansas City |
| Family Members | Three children, aged 5, 6, and 17 |
| Primary Concern | Lack of progress in the investigation |
| Police Response | No arrests or suspects; the case remains open |
| Key Action | Family holding vigil, urging community and police action |
The family of Jonathan Rodgers continues to hold a vigil and push for justice months after his tragic death. Despite their pleas, the Kansas City Police Department has made little progress in the investigation, leaving the family in emotional distress.
Zelpha Rodgers, Jonathan’s mother, has made a heartfelt appeal for justice, urging the community to come forward with any information.
As the investigation continues, the pain of the Rodgers family highlights the deep emotional and social impacts of unsolved crimes in the community.