Homicides 2021 536
Steven Williams, 24, ‘Woke’ Rapper Who ‘Gave Superhero Love’
Steven Williams’ rapper name was FMG (family, money, grinding) Smurff, and his songs involved teaching young kids how not to follow in his footsteps. After dropping out of high school and having his first child at age 18, Steven understood the importance of earning his GED and setting a better example for his family. “His […]
Charles Campbell Jr., 31, father of five who bent over backwards for his kids
Charles Campbell Jr. lavished attention on his four daughters and baby son. Even though some of his children had different mothers, he made sure to gather them together as one family, booking hotel rooms multiple times a year so that they could order room service, go swimming, and pick out toys at Five Below. After […]
Jeremy Pizzichil, 35, fixated on success while dodging demons
On the outside, Jeremy Pizzichil was an insatiable entrepreneur and a born salesman, a mix of Batman and Jordan Belfort from “The Wolf of Wall Street” with a chiseled jaw, dazzling hazel eyes, crisp suits, and a propensity for living on the edge. “FAST CARS, FAST BOATS, FAST GIRLS, FAST LIFE,” he proclaimed on his […]
Craig Hatchett Jr., 37, incognito poet and devoted caregiver
“F.E.A.R. has two meanings…face everything and run, or face everything and rise.” “Fake friends are like four (4) quarters, they change for a dollar.” “Death is most likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent, [it] clears out the old to make way for the new!” These were some of Craig […]
Kamaj Rudd, 19, ‘Big Kid’ Excited About Upcoming Graduation, Move to Florida
Katrina Juanita Crump knew that her fourth child would be her last, so she gave him her initials “KJ.” Born on March 9, 2002 in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, Kamaj Juanir Rudd was his mother’s sweetheart and a little gentleman. Whenever he saw her truck returning from work, he asked her about her day […]
Police recorded 41 homicides in September 2022; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police recorded 41 homicides […]
Jose Aces, 23: ‘He just always wanted to be the one to take care of everything and everybody’
Savannah Stein met her first boyfriend at a cousin’s party when she was 14 years old and living in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. Jose Aces, one year older and a full foot taller, was the yin to Savannah’s yang. His father had been deported to Cuba when Jose was only about seven years […]
Police recorded 47 homicides in August 2022; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police recorded 47 homicides […]
Michael Mines, 21, ‘Mr. Congeniality’ Who Outwitted Boxing and Chess Opponents
When the teacher made the kindergarten class line up by height, Michael “Mike Mike” Mines was always at the front. Small but speedy, Michael became everybody’s favorite class clown, mocking his friends for their jacked-up haircuts and burping loudly in class. One time, while waiting for his punishment in the principal’s office at W.C. Longstreth […]
Tyrell Beatty, 34, proud father who owned his choices and defied the odds
As a boy growing up in North Philadelphia, Tyrell Beatty was obsessed with professional wrestling and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He watched his human idols on television with his grandmother, Cleo Bagwell. She rooted for The Undertaker and he cheered for The Ultimate Warrior, fidgeting as if he were tag teaming with the WWE […]
Police recorded 60 murders in July; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police recorded 60 homicides […]
Jada Hellams, 21: “She wanted better for herself, for her family – to change the narrative”
Growing up in North Philadelphia, Jada Hellams was on a first-name basis with struggle. She’d been there, done that and envisioned a better life for herself. She enrolled in Central Penn College, despite it being in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania, because it was affordable. As the first person in her family to attend college, […]
Shaquille Barbour, 18, enterprising optimist with a radiant smile
Shineka Crawford just knew that her baby boy would be a giant. During her pregnancy, her belly expanded so much that she looked like she was having twins. Swift karate kicks in the womb pummeled her insides. She spent seven months on bedrest. Born on April 8, 2003, Shaquille “Shaq” Barbour (named after basketball legend […]
Police recorded 48 murders in June; here are the victims’ names
At the Philadelphia Obituary Project, we treat homicide victims as individuals rather than statistics. But we are in crisis. The number of people murdered continues to rise, even during the pandemic. And so every month, we will share this data along with the names of each person in one post. Philadelphia Police responded to 48 […]
Cameron Scott-Bey, 19, clever artist and sensitive soul
By the time he turned six years old, Cameron “Cam” Scott-Bey would dump a heap of drawings in various stages of completion all over his bedroom floor in Mount Airy. He then scanned his collection, using a discerning eye to add a bit more motion to Michael Jackson’s spin or outline the exact outfit that […]
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