Families ask for solidarity at National Murder Victims Memorial Day event | News

SPOKANE, Wash. – In honor of National Homicide Victims Remembrance Day, the Spokane County District Attorney's Office hosted an event Wednesday to honor the victims and their families.

“One person's life has been changed forever, as have the lives of the people who loved the victim,” Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said at the event.

One of the families at the event was that of Justin Daniel. Daniel was murdered in April in his home in Mead. He was stabbed 48 times and shot three times.

Daniel's ex-girlfriend Cynthia Khaleel was accused of murder, However, the investigation is still ongoing.

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“It was a silver lining in this unimaginable tragedy and we are grateful to the sheriff's office, victim advocates and everyone,” said Daniel's sister Jessica Shuck.

For Daniel's family, September 25 is more than just National Murder Victims Remembrance Day.

“Today happens to be his 41st birthday,” Shuck said.

Shuck said the day was more therapeutic for her than she imagined.

“It's really special that we're here on his birthday,” she said. “It's encouraging to know that there are so many people behind the scenes who have our backs and care about us.”

One of the main messages of the event was support for families. Speakers said that in a justice system where it seems the process is broken, they want to tell the families of victims that they will do everything they can to get justice for their loved ones.

“It breaks my heart that we have people who have lost a loved one,” said Sheriff Nowels. “We will continue to fight every day to ensure justice is served to those who choose to take another's life.”

Shuck's family has not yet received the justice they want for Daniel, but she says it has been encouraging to honor him and hear from others who have been in her situation.

“My brother Justin was so kind and always selfless. He gave everything he had to others, whether it was his daughters or his family,” Shuck said. “He was the one you could call in the middle of the night and he would come for you.”

Speakers at the event said they did not want the victims to be remembered only on Wednesday, but every day.

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