Precious Lives

Stories about kids, guns and how to stop the violence. Precious Lives, created by 371 Productions, is a 2-year, 100-part weekly radio series about gun violence and young people in the Milwaukee area. The series applies a public health lens to each story to help listeners understand the full scope of the problem: who are the victims and the shooters; how are the weapons obtained; and what can we change about the environment that contributes to violence in Milwaukee?

#009 Precious Lives: Getting a House Back to a Home

WUWM 89.7 FM

Published March 10, 2015 at 11:07 AM CDT

If Jonoshia Alexander were alive today, she'd be 21-years-old. Her room is exactly how she left it four years ago - filled with her things, but not her voice.

Latoshia Stewart, on the anniversary of her daughter Jonoshia Alexander's death, styles her hair for the first time since Jonoshia passed.

In December 2010, 18-year-old Markus Evans took 17-year-old Jonoshia's life on her way home from school.

On a whim, he walked her into an alley and shot her in the back of the head. For Jonoshia's family, it's a fine line between feeling tormented by the void and grateful for the memories.

Latoshia Stewart shares how she and her family have tried to feel whole again after her daughter's murder.

If you or somebody you know is dealing with the pain of losing a loved one to violence, Mental Health America of Wisconsin can help. They have a comprehensive guide that can connect you with support groups, AODA [Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse] counselors and psychiatrists. More information is available at PreciousLivesProject.org.

Corresponding Content:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Bay View student's shooting death produces shock, grief

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Evans sentenced to life in prison for slaying