Justice for Rhys Pocan: Help Solve Her Murder
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Help solve the murder of my mother Rhys Pocan and bring justice to my family.
On the night of Thursday, August 10th 1989, my mother Rhys Pocan, a 35 year old Native American woman, was tragically taken from my family and community. While walking along National Ave in Milwaukee around midnight, she was abducted in an act of unimaginable violence.
Her life was stolen, and her body was desecrated. Months later, hunters discovered her remains scattered across public hunting grounds in Wisconsin. Her head and hands were found in Vernon marsh, Waukesha county, and her torso in Nichols Creek, Sheboygan county. Decades later, her case remains unsolved leaving my family and community without the justice we deserve.
I am launching this GoFundMe campaign to honor Rhys’ memory and to seek justice. The funds raised will be used to:
- Assist law enforcement with advanced investigative techniques such as DNA testing, forensic analysis, and any other technologies that were not available at the time of her murder.
- Establish a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Rhys’ killer.
- Support awareness efforts to keep her case in the public eye and encourage community tips that may lead to a breakthrough.
- Charitable initiatives in the victim’s honor to establish scholarships, funds, or other charitable initiatives in Rhys’ name creating a lasting legacy. Supporting organizations working to prevent violence or provide victim advocacy.
- Support for the victim’s family to offer grief counseling and mental health support for the family and the resources we need to continue our fight for justice.
Rhys was more than a victim. She was a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and was very involved in Native American efforts. My family has spent the last 35 years living with this pain of not knowing who, or why they did this. This campaign is not just about solving a crime but ensuring her story is not forgotten.
We ask for your support to help bring her justice for me and my family. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to achieving that goal. If you cannot donate please share this campaign to help spread her story. Together, we can honor Rhys’ memory and work toward answers that are long overdue. From every fiber of my being I appreciate you reading about my mother and supporting any way you can. ❤️
I keep this picture of my mom and I with the postcard next to my bed. It’s a reminder in her own words that she loves and misses me.
Organizer
Charlee Russ
Organizer
Sheboygan, WI