Murder Vicitm's Burial Fund

Hi, my name is Dee Hollins and I come to you with pain in my heart and soul on behalf of my cousin Dana Roberts, who lost her son Brandon Roberts in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 21, 2017. Brandon was murdered, gunned down by the act of a selfish evil unknown assailant after ending a funfilled night out with his friends.

http://www.twincities.com/2017/10/22/police-investigating-st-paul-homicide-2nd-in-24-hours/

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/10/23/st-paul-homicide-victims/

Brandon was a devoted, loving, involved, fun and hardworking provider and father of two young sons and a daughter, working up to 2-3 jobs to support his family. He was an amazing, super cool, loyal, compassionate, outgoing, friendly, loving, son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, fiance', and friend. Everyone loves Brandon and he will he will be missed immensely. 

Brandon was born and raised in New Orleans, as a child, his mother moved to Minnesota believing it would save her two sons from the streets of New Orleans, which makes his tragic death hurt more.  If there was another level to grief this would be it for his mother, Dana, who has to travel from New Orleans to plan services for her son.  Dana moved back after her sons started their own families and careers.

Brandon was still in grade school when they moved. He loved Saint Paul, unlike the rest of the family, who always held New Orleans close in our hearts, it was home, but not for Brandon, home was St.Paul, MN and with a broken heart, Dana has no choice, but to honor how he felt about the city and will have his funeral in St.Paul, MN and will bring him back to New Orleans ; the reason for this GoFund Me 
 
Dana would like to thank all of you for your love, prayers, food donations and financial support. 

You all helped to provide a beautiful celebration of life service for Brandon.

At this time we have not met the goal anticipated, but it all came together with ease. Brooks Funeral Home removed some of the financial burden related to Brandon's funeral cost, as well as donated flower arrangements. River of God Church blessed Dana with the use of their church and all of its entirety with no cost, not even clean up. It all came together, because Dana stood out on faith, knowing that God would not allow her to stress over things such as these while she is grief stricken. He never gives us no more than we can bare and He removed that burden from her. 

During planning Dana chose to have Brandon cremated, because of cost. As we all know its thousands of dollars less. She was informed by the police that Brandon could not be cremated until his murder is adjudicated, which will take time. Like a Catch-22 one would think this would only add to a mother's pain; if she buries him, there's a possibility of him being resumed and there's no option for cremation until the killer is caught..... Brandon will remain at Brooks Funeral Home until then.

Dana looked at this situation as a chance to save and raise money to lay Brandon to rest in New Orleans. The plot there was donated, the only task left is to raise $5000 +taxes to have his body shipped to New Orleans. 

If you can please donate to this cause, it doesn't have to be much, but if we all put in a few dollars we can allow Dana to go home to grieve, instead of running back to work and looking for a second job.

I'm asking you to help her do this, she knows it's her responsibility, but I believe she is deserving of help. She did have a policy up until he was 25yrs old which he did not take over, nor purchase a policy on his own and I understand if one has their personal views on this topic. If anything Brandon's murder has shown his generation that they must planned for emergencies and have life insurance. You would be surprised to know how many are uninsured. I ask for your compassion and understanding. 

Brandon's family/children as a whole will need support and not only financially, but emotionally, spiritually and etc, this is a devasting, life-altering and life-changing event. It will not be easy and the support from deep within one's soul is what needed. Brandon's life was taken in a matter of seconds and it will take more than the rest of our lifetime to heal from.  

As our family grieves, we ask for your continued prayers and support. Dana sends her love and thanks all those who have called, sent Facebook and text messages.

If you have any information on Brandon's murder please contact St.Paul Police at [phone redacted].

Dana Roberts will solely be responsible for all monies allocated to this Go Fund Me Account

Thank you for your time.
Dee