Slay victim kin’s grief multiplies Aunt buried with nephew

Slay victim kin’s grief multiplies
Aunt buried with nephew

By Laura Crimaldi | Tuesday, October 12, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage

Photo by Angela Rowlings

A Roslindale mother said goodbye to her son and sister at a joint funeral yesterday for the fourth Mattapan massacre victim and his aunt. Family said Sadie Diane Washum died of a grief-induced heart attack days after her nephew, Levaughn Washum-Garrison, was shot to death.

Patricia Washum-Bennett called her son a “butterfly” and described her sister as “wonderful” at a memorial service at the Jubilee Christian Church.

“I love you so much and I will see you again,” Washum-Bennett said to her son, Washum-Garrison, 22.

Washum-Garrison died on Sept. 28 on Woolson Street alongside Simba Martin, 21, Eyanna Flonory, 21, and her son, Amanihoteph Smith, 2, who were buried last week. A fifth person, Marcus A. Hurd, 32, remains hospitalized. Washum, 45, of Atlanta, died on Oct. 3. She was buried with her nephew at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Roslindale.

“Two have died that didn’t have to be dead,” said Bishop G.A. Thompson Sr. “I understand a brother was shot. I understand that his aunt, at the shock of hearing about the nephew, had a heart attack and died. I understand that. But to understand all of what went on and the reason why, it’s hard to wrap the mind around it. It’s a tragic event.”

City Councilor Charles Yancey asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

“Those of you who have information, don’t just sit on it,” Yancey said. “As long as those individuals are out there, all families are at risk.”

Kimani Washington, 34, of Dorchester, was arrested on Oct. 1 in Manchester, N.H., in connection to the shootings and is due to be arraigned tomorrow in Dorchester District Court. He faces firearms and other charges, but is not charged with murder.

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