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Speak Up! Memphis

Fairley High School Student Found Dead

Donald Miller, Jr. Memphis, TN - The body of a young man found in the Westwood area is believed to be a missing Fairley High Student.  It's a shock for the teenager's family.  The family says the body found was that of Donald Miller Jr.  He had been reported missing since February 1st.

The body was found in the 4100 block of Warbonnet just before 5:30p.m., February 9th.  Police say two kids found his body while playing in a heavily wooded area behind a home. 

The last time anyone saw or talked with Miller was last Friday, February 1, 2008.  His aunt tells Eyewitness News Everywhere, "he went to school, he did his work, he wouldn't leave without telling someone where he's going.  If he was gone home for longer than an hour, he would call and say I'm over so and so's house, but that night, he never called."  And that raised a red flag for family members who spent the last eight days asking questions, combing through the neighborhood, hoping to find their loved one alive.

Family members say Donald Miller had no enemies and often kept to himself.  Investigators and those close to the 17 year-old are trying to piece together what happened.  Jacquelyn Young wants to know "why, that's the question, why...we're just looking for answers."

The Eyewitness News Everywhere Neighborhood Crime Tracker takes a closer look at crime in that area.  In the last thirty days, there have been 11 aggravated assaults within a one-mile radius of where the body was found, 12 cars have been stolen, 25 home burglaries were reported and 4 businesses were burglarized.

It's your turn to Speak Up! Memphis.

Published Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:02 AM by smyers

Comments

 

MMiranda said:

I did not know the young man that pass. But I do know his father side of the family my man is kin to him his first cusion and the family is takeing it hard very hard. you all need to stop. Ya killing ya own.you all get mad and get to talking when a white man kill's a Black. But what about when a Black kills a black it's not good that boy had his whole life a hed of him he has a lil brother and big brother that was close to him and his mother and father that will never be able to say good bye to him or give him his last kiss. who ever killed him I pray that you have the lord on your side and i pray that the police find you be for the family do. open your eye's Memphis ya need to wake up mothers spend time with you kid's. Show your kid's love be for the hood show them be for you. and young black man stop killing over red and  blue. that is all I  have to say.        
February 10, 2008 12:28 PM
 

MrsWhitey said:

Number1.I think the person who killed this young man don't have the Lord on his side and he probably doesn't care about the Lord anyway.
Number2.You make it sound like it's better for blacks to kill whites instead of killing other blacks.Me personally, I think killing is bad period.
Number3. I think alot of these kids need a mama and daddy to love them.
Number4. Please learn to spell , or get someone to proof read your comments before you write on a public blog.
February 10, 2008 4:02 PM
 

East Memphis said:

It is a well know fact that it is OK - racially approved to kill whites.  Killing blacks - always bad - always.

As long as the "red" and "blue" limit their killing to each other - I see it is as a problem solving itself! Let;s wall up south and north Memphis and give everyone a pint of whiskey, quart  of gasoline and a gun.  Let nature take its course.  Folk / People / Crip / Blood - they are all cowardly fatherless punks.

They live by their anonymity and are terrified if the odds are anywhere near even.  Just have a séance with this kid - he will tell you.
February 11, 2008 12:29 AM
 

Mrwhitey said:

WTH ! Mrs.Whitey ?
February 11, 2008 7:50 AM
 

Static said:

Growing up in this area, this is shocking to read about.  As a kid this wooded area was a popular place to shoot air rifles  and there is a small pond for fishing, just sad....
February 11, 2008 9:33 AM
 

Dover said:

The innocent, hard working, law abiding citizens do not have a chance in Memphis. The Aunt is asking WHY? According to this article: In the last thirty days, there have been 11 aggravated assaults within a one-mile radius of where the body was found, 12 cars have been stolen, 25 home burglaries were reported and 4 businesses were burglarized. Now there is 1 teen murder to add to those statistics in the last 30 days.   With all of the crime in Memphis,  it’s far more sensible to ask  why not?  
February 11, 2008 10:02 AM
 

East Memphis said:

"  Dover said:
The innocent, hard working, law abiding citizens do not have a chance in Memphis. The Aunt is asking WHY? According to this article: In the last thirty days, there have been 11 aggravated assaults within a one-mile radius of where the body was found, 12 cars have been stolen, 25 home burglaries were reported and 4 businesses were burglarized. Now there is 1 teen murder to add to those statistics in the last 30 days.   With all of the crime in Memphis,  it’s far more sensible to ask  why not?  
February 11, 2008 10:02 AM"
________________________________________

It is plain and simple - in Memphis crime does pay.
February 11, 2008 10:24 AM
 

Catgirl said:

I feel for the family, deeply and truly. They seem like they WERE involved both before and after this child was killed. By involved I mean doing the right thing. Making sure he went to school, making sure he made good grades, making sure they knew where he was- being a good family.

After he disappeared, they called police, and put up flyers, and looked for him themselves.

The aunt is not being loud, rude, crass, or accusatory. She just wants help and answers.

For this family all I can do is pray and hope that they get closure soon. May they also know that people are sad for their loss.
February 11, 2008 10:35 AM
 

mnshadow53 said:

Seems like good kids don't stand a chance in Memphis.  This kid seems to have come from a caring family; one that was involved in his life in a positive way.  I hope they find his killer.  
February 11, 2008 10:45 AM
 

Dover said:

mnshadow and catgirl - It is heartbreaking that this child did seem to have a family that cared. The problem is, the caring, loving families are outnumbered and the innocent  do not have a chance.
February 11, 2008 11:20 AM
 

Static said:

   
Dover

This is beyond terrible....

This is several homes from the home I grew up in..  Someone knows something around there my goodness.
February 11, 2008 11:41 AM
 

MONICA said:

I JUST WANT TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. I KNOW THE YOUNG MAN'S MOTHER AND YOUNGER BROTHER WHO OFTENS SPEND TIME WITH MY NEPHEWS. I AM DEEPLY SADDENED BY THIS. BLACK MEN IN MEMPHIS VALUE EACH OTHER LIVES AS MUCH AS THEY VALUE THE LIFE OF A COCKROACH. I AM CONFUSED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE YOUNG MEN THESE DAYS. A PERSON IS NOT BORN A KILLER. HOW DID THESE KIDS GET THE MIND FRAME OF A KILLER AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE? WHAT ARE THE PARENTS THINKING WHEN THEIR CHILD IS ACCUSED OF MURDER? WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD THAT MAKES YOUR CHILD HARBOR ALL OF THAT ANGER? THESE ARE JUST A FEW QUESTIONS I HAVE EACH AND EVERYDAY. CHILDREN ARE NOT BORN TO HATE. THEY ARE TAUGHT. TV PANELS FOR DISCUSSIONS ON FAMILY ISSUES NEED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN MEMPHIS EACH WEEK ON TELEVISON TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
February 11, 2008 11:54 AM
 

Mrwhitey said:

By what all I've read, this was a good clean straight A  kid.I don't think he found trouble, but trouble found him.Monica, its going to take alot more than TV discussions. On the knee prayer would be an excellent place to start then some discipline in the home.
February 11, 2008 4:10 PM
 

jwood37 said:

Memphis is like a war zone, you don't know when or where you will be shot.
I hate having to carry a gun where ever I go. (I do have a HCP) 40 years ago
I had to carry an M-16 to survive today I have to carry a glock to survive.
Where is the parental control of their children? Where is the respect for life?
I respect life, and as God is my witness I will take yours if you try to take mine.

Read below...

On Saturday, Feb 2, in a nice, suburban mall in Tinsley Park, IL, six
women were herded into the back room of a Lane Bryant clothing store,
lined up on the floor and shot in the head. Five of the six women,
aged 22 to 42, died. The sixth, gravely wounded, feigned death and
survived to tell police what happened and describe the lone suspect.
The suspect had robbed the store of a small amount of cash, and in
cold blood executed all these women just to eliminate witnesses. The
same week, on the parking lot of a suburban grocery store in Houston,
TX, an armed suspect tried to car-jack a man at gunpoint. The man had
a Texas CHL and a pistol, and shot the armed robber to death.

These two incidents from the same week illustrate the huge difference
between sheep and sheep dogs. Both occurred in public places, while
normal people were simply going about their business and shopping.
Whether at the mall, the grocery store or anywhere else, violence can
happen ANY TIME and you must be prepared to deal with it. Out of
seven intended victims, the only one unhurt is the one who was armed.
February 11, 2008 5:25 PM
 

Static said:

jwood37

As a veteran i don't get what you are saying at all....

These two incidents from the same week illustrate the huge difference
between sheep and sheep dogs.

That comment  is irrelevant, you can carry what you want but this kid didn't have a chance because he was targeted.

I lived in that area across the street from that wooded area, me and my friends played there, road our bikes through there, went through the woods to go fishing there this is beyond senseless.

I have always felt someone could die by downing in the pond not being murder in the woods there, I am in total shock words can not explain my feelings most days I would play there as a kid in the mid 70's never fearing for my safety not once.

Coach Adams At Chickasaw Jr. high would have the football team run the hill for exercise.  So I just can't believe this would happen there.  

Every time I return to Memphis I would walk to the edge of the woods and reminisce of being a kid catching turtles or snakes there never thinking something like this would or could happen.

So keep your ignorant statement a family is in morning and a neighborhood is in shock because whom ever did this is among those that live there.
February 12, 2008 7:00 AM
 

Mrwhitey said:

Static
 Of course you dont get what jwood is saying, It makes too much sense for your drug infested mind to understand.What jwood says stands for right and everything you say stands for wrong,darkness and death. YOU FREAK !
February 12, 2008 9:29 AM
 

Static said:

"yawn" smack smack

scratch......
February 12, 2008 11:03 AM
 

Static said:

My prayers to the family, may you have solace that this murderer will be caught soon.
February 12, 2008 11:04 AM
 

Mrwhitey said:

Static prays to the pig god OINK OINK
February 12, 2008 11:09 AM
 

mnshadow53 said:

This is the link for one of the most interesting speaches I have ever read.  It's Bill Cosby speaking at the 50th anniversary of Brown Vs. The Board of Education.  He sure makes valid points.  Too bad the people who need to listen aren't!

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/billcosbypoundcakespeech.htm
February 13, 2008 2:44 PM
 

Static said:

When a criminal comments a crime he should be held accountable for his crime period.
February 14, 2008 6:51 AM
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