Remembering Janaya Thompson
One year ago, the gruesome discovery of 5-year-old Janaya Thompson’s body in an abandoned Gulfport trailer home rattled the Gulf Coast community.
Today, neighbors still can’t believe it’s been one year and reflect on that tragic day.
This time last year, Carol Cohen laid down stuffed animals at the sight of a makeshift memorial remembering 5-year-old Janaya Thompson, whose body was found hanging inside an abandoned trailer near her home. Three hundred and sixty days later, Cohen can’t believe a year has gone by. “No, it doesn’t seem like it. It really is still very sad.”
Neighbors vividly remember what seemed like hundreds of people lining the streets offering support to a family who received the worst news they could ever imagine. Residents reflect on that time last summer, saying the nightmare thrust into their neighborhood forged a bond as familiar and unfamiliar faces provided each other comfort. Neighbor Steve Cohen said, “It was nice to see the community come together because you don’t see that very often.”
In the wake of what happened to Janaya, the community called for the trailer to be removed. However, the property owner has rented it to someone else, something that does not sit well with neighbors. “Why would you want to keep something like that? This poor little innocent girl was murdered in. I mean, that’s terrible,” Carol Cohen said.
This afternoon News 25 spoke with the man who lives there now after moving from Louisiana and he says he and his family were unaware of what happened to Janaya until they were signing their papers. He was not willing to go on camera, but the man says he can still feel Janaya’s presence in his home.
Meanwhile, the community remembers the lively spirit of the innocent 5-year-old, as they wait for the man who stole her life to be brought to justice. Until then, the community remembers the little girl with the bright smile.
Janaya’s murder case has not yet seen trial. Prosecutors are still awaiting the return of evidence from the FBI. They hope the case will be seen in front of a grand jury in the near future.
Today, neighbors still can’t believe it’s been one year and reflect on that tragic day.
This time last year, Carol Cohen laid down stuffed animals at the sight of a makeshift memorial remembering 5-year-old Janaya Thompson, whose body was found hanging inside an abandoned trailer near her home. Three hundred and sixty days later, Cohen can’t believe a year has gone by. “No, it doesn’t seem like it. It really is still very sad.”
Neighbors vividly remember what seemed like hundreds of people lining the streets offering support to a family who received the worst news they could ever imagine. Residents reflect on that time last summer, saying the nightmare thrust into their neighborhood forged a bond as familiar and unfamiliar faces provided each other comfort. Neighbor Steve Cohen said, “It was nice to see the community come together because you don’t see that very often.”
In the wake of what happened to Janaya, the community called for the trailer to be removed. However, the property owner has rented it to someone else, something that does not sit well with neighbors. “Why would you want to keep something like that? This poor little innocent girl was murdered in. I mean, that’s terrible,” Carol Cohen said.
This afternoon News 25 spoke with the man who lives there now after moving from Louisiana and he says he and his family were unaware of what happened to Janaya until they were signing their papers. He was not willing to go on camera, but the man says he can still feel Janaya’s presence in his home.
Meanwhile, the community remembers the lively spirit of the innocent 5-year-old, as they wait for the man who stole her life to be brought to justice. Until then, the community remembers the little girl with the bright smile.
Janaya’s murder case has not yet seen trial. Prosecutors are still awaiting the return of evidence from the FBI. They hope the case will be seen in front of a grand jury in the near future.
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