native Archives

Vigil Held for Carencro Native Slain in Lafayette, Calls for End to Gun Violence

Carencro, Louisiana – A somber vigil was held in remembrance of Elzy Cyprian, a 29-year-old Carencro native who tragically became Lafayette’s fourth murder victim of the year. Family and friends gathered at Carencro Park on Wednesday, March 27, to honor his memory with a balloon release. Cyprian lost his life as a result of a violent altercation that escalated into a fatal shooting along Harrison Drive in Lafayette over the weekend. The community came together …

Cape Cod Native Remembered for Humor and Zest for Life After Tragic Miami Murder-Suicide

Miami, Florida – The community mourns the loss of Meghan Moore, a young woman from Cape Cod tragically killed in a murder-suicide in Miami earlier this month. Described as someone with a vibrant sense of humor and a passion for life, Moore’s untimely death has left many heartbroken. According to Miami-Dade police, Moore, along with her roommate Sidney Capolino, was shot and killed on March 16 in their Miami condo by Luis Napoles, who then …

Highland Park Native and Wife Donate $1 Million for Permanent Memorial for Mass Shooting Victims

Highland Park, Illinois – A Highland Park native and his wife have made a generous donation of $1 million towards the construction of a permanent memorial honoring the seven victims of a tragic mass shooting that occurred in Highland Park. Jon Gray, who hails from Highland Park, and his wife Mindy Gray’s donation marks the first private contribution to the city’s initiative to create a lasting place of remembrance for those impacted by the July …

Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder for Torturing and Killing Alaska Native Woman

Anchorage, Alaska – A man from South Africa has been convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of two Native women in Alaska. Brian Steven Smith, 52, was found guilty on 14 counts, including sexual assault, misconduct with a corpse, and two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Kathleen Henry and Veronica Abouchuk. Smith was arrested after a woman stole his cellphone and discovered disturbing videos and images on the device. The jury …

South African Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder of Alaska Native Women

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A South African man has been convicted of first-degree murder for killing an Alaska Native woman and another Native woman. The jury in Anchorage returned a unanimous verdict against 52-year-old Brian Steven Smith, who showed no reaction in court as the judge read the jury’s verdict. He was arrested after a woman stole his cellphone from his truck and discovered gruesome footage from 2019. The woman, a sex worker who became a …

Barrie Native Gabe Batstone Continues Fight for Child Protection After Ex-Wife’s Death

Barrie, Ontario – Nine years after Lisa Batstone killed her daughter, Teagan, she has died while serving a life sentence in a British Columbia prison. The cause of death and further details have not been released, but the incident is currently under investigation. Teagan Batstone was smothered by her mother as she slept on December 10, 2014. Lisa was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for …