Woman who lost son to violence launches grief support group

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An unfortunate bond between everyone who has lost a love one to violence. 

They clutch photos with hope in their hearts like Kathie Marshall who's 40-year-old son Reginald has been missing since last July.

“We don't know whether he's hopefully he is alive somewhere but we just need answers,” Marshall said.

Crime Stoppers opens their arms every other month hosting a support group for grieving families.

It's Kathie's first time.

“I'm looking for help in any way that it can come to me,” she said.  

Crime Stoppers held a meeting in Southfield Wednesday led by therapist Mia Reid, her son was killed and another family member in a 2011 double homicide, which is still unsolved. 

“I went through a really rough journey, through depression and trauma and Crime Stoppers group was a great tool for me,” Reid said.

She turned to Crime Stoppers for comfort back then, she says it gave her the strength to go back to school and now open her own therapy practice to help families like these. 

Reid says it’s now her purpose to help others get where she’s at. 

“When I started every meeting I left out crying I couldn't take it but now since I been coming every other month I have built up a lot of strength a lot of confidence,” Angela Williams said. 

The Crime Stoppers support group is where Angela Williams turned five years ago when her son was murdered.

“He was shot in the head and his body was set on fire in the car,” she said. 

Ryan Fomby would be 26 this month, another birthday missed and his killer is still out there. 

“I just want some closure and I just want to be able to sleep at night,” she said. 

Williams says she is proof seeking out help to deal with grief works. 

“Don't let it get you to the point of being depressed the way I have been join a support group such as Crime Stoppers and attend as often as you can,” she said. 

There are about 30 families that participate in the support group but there is room for more. 

Their next meeting is in May on Detroit's east side. For more information, click here

Full schedule below. 

Crime Stoppers Family Meeting:

May 15
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Open Arms, St. John Provide Comm. Health 
4777 E. Outer Drive 
Detroit 

July 17
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Crime Stoppers of Michigan Offices
18000 W. Nine Mile 
Southfield 

September 18
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Open Arms, St. John Provide Comm. Health 
4777 E. Outer Drive 
Detroit 

November 20 
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Crime Stoppers of Michigan Offices
18000 W. Nine Mile 
Southfield