Losing our loved one Don Owens through homicide is one of the most traumatic experiences that an individual or family can face.

It is an event for which no one can adequately prepare, but which leaves in its wake tremendous emotional pain and upheaval.

On Dec. 17, the death of Don Owens has affected our family in many ways. Some family members are feeling isolation, helplessness, fear and vulnerability, guilty or self-blame, nightmares and a desire for revenge.

Some describe their reactions this way: “I was empty, hollow, and you don’t think … you can’t concentrate, and you can’t see what’s in front of your eyes.”

We miss him so much until we sit around and reminisce about all the things we did with him as individuals and as a family. This is the type of effect his death has on our lives.

Parents may have believed in the natural order of life, the older generation should die first. As a mother and father we don’t expect to bury our kids, our kids are supposed to bury us. But God has the last word on life or death.

Don was a loving person. Whoever came into contact with him was not a stranger. He was a great father to his kids, great son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He was loved in the community, always looking out for others.

Don loved his family and to this day we love him, only if it is just memories.

Mayor, sheriff, police chief and officers: if this type of death comes knocking at your door, you will do any and every thing to find the person who did it (the same as Rebecca Owens is doing. She doesn’t want her son’s death to be in vein).

What would you do?

Please don’t tell me, “Let the police handle it.” Thirteen or 14 homicides have taken place in Natchez.

How many have been solved? Our family wants closure and justice. We are not going to stop until we get it. The day of this letter Don has been dead more than three months. No one has been arrested.

Lisa Washington,

Vidalia resident