Filed
6:00 a.m. EDT
09.17.2025
The Marshall Project compiled guidance on grieving, working with law enforcement and more from those who have lost someone to violence.
In St. Louis, almost 2,000 people died by homicide over the last nine years. Half of those cases were never solved.
Marshall Project reporter, Ivy Scott, spoke with families who have lost loved ones to homicide and are still waiting for justice. They shared the advice they wish someone had given them when they were grieving. Some talked about how hard it was to understand the police investigation. Others said small things the police did made a big difference.
This guide is made from their words and wisdom. It includes help from families and trusted people in the community. Each section is designed to help people who have lost someone to violence — in St. Louis and beyond.
You can download the PDF here.
Would you like a printable version of this resource to share with your community? Please email us at stlouis@themarshallproject.org and we’ll send you a link with instructions.
Credits
REPORTING
Ivy Scott
This guide was adapted by ChatGPT4 to be accessible to people at a range of reading levels.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Olivia Kim and Lucid Clairvoyant
ART DIRECTION
Marci Suela
BOOKLET DESIGN
Mara Corbett
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
St. Louis Public Radio
WITH A SPECIAL THANKS TO
Sabrina Elam, Erica Jones, Atif Mahr, Maria Miller, Monthane Miller-Jones and Ronda Williams