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Print This StoryCommunity Mourns For Shakira Johnson
Leaders Work To Prevent This From Happening Again
UPDATED: 6:17 am EDT October 21,
2003
CLEVELAND --
Emotions were running high today on Cleveland's east side, where a community is mourning Shakira Johnson.
The Cuyahoga County Coroner confirmed Monday that the body found last week is that of Shakira Johnson, the 11-year-old missing for a month.The coroner's office said it used DNA taken from Shakira's toothbrush to match it with the DNA from the body.There has been no ruling yet on the time or cause of death. An announcement is expected be made on Tuesday concerning the cause of death.Police said they have several leads and investigating all of them.The memorial at E. 71st Street and Aetna, where the body was found, continued to grow Monday as people came to mourn and comfort one another.The residents of the community are also calling for a meeting with city officials to discuss how to prevent such a thing from ever happening again. The meeting will most likely take place Thursday or Friday evening at South High School, and City Council members are to be invited.Concerned parents have discussed the cancellation of Halloween due to safety issues for children.Community leaders also announced the formation of a task force for community mobilization. The task force hopes to find some answers about the prevalence of sex offenders living in the area.
MemorialThe Cuyahoga County Coroner confirmed Monday that the body found last week is that of Shakira Johnson, the 11-year-old missing for a month.The coroner's office said it used DNA taken from Shakira's toothbrush to match it with the DNA from the body.There has been no ruling yet on the time or cause of death. An announcement is expected be made on Tuesday concerning the cause of death.Police said they have several leads and investigating all of them.The memorial at E. 71st Street and Aetna, where the body was found, continued to grow Monday as people came to mourn and comfort one another.The residents of the community are also calling for a meeting with city officials to discuss how to prevent such a thing from ever happening again. The meeting will most likely take place Thursday or Friday evening at South High School, and City Council members are to be invited.Concerned parents have discussed the cancellation of Halloween due to safety issues for children.Community leaders also announced the formation of a task force for community mobilization. The task force hopes to find some answers about the prevalence of sex offenders living in the area. Previous Stories:
- October 20, 2003: Coroner Positively Identifies Body As Shakira
- October 19, 2003: Share Thoughts, Prayers With Shakira's Family
- October 17, 2003: Friends, Strangers Offer Prayers For Shakira And Family
- October 17, 2003: Tipster Likely Left DNA On Pay Phone
- October 17, 2003: Coroner Says Body Appears To Be Shakira
- October 15, 2003: Small, Decomposed Body Found On Cleveland's East Side
- October 6, 2003: Police: Missing Girl Not At Laundromat
- September 30, 2003: Van Could Be Key To Shakira's Disappearance
- September 29, 2003: When Should Amber Alert Be Issued?
- September 26, 2003: Police Search Whiskey Island For Clues To Missing Girl
- September 25, 2003: Missing-Girl Investigators Search Homes, Tow Man's Car
- September 22, 2003: 20 Officers, 20 FBI Agents Search For Missing Girl
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