On Monday, December 15th, my sister Shelby Lukes was the victim of a horrific and intentional act in Gretna Unincorporated—she was set on fire. The details surrounding what happened are still unclear, and our family is struggling to get answers. The police are not telling us anything, and we have been left in the dark about what truly happened to Shelby. We know she suffered severe burns from her waist up, and the injuries were so extensive that doctors had to drill into her leg to start an IV directly into her bone. We believe someone put a plastic trash bag over her head and held her down, and that an accelerant was used to set her on fire for several minutes.

We are devastated and desperate for the truth. The police have said it’s an open-and-shut case, but we know there is more to this story. We managed to recover her clothes from the trash after EMS cut them off, and we want to send them to a separate lab for forensic testing since the police left them at the scene. The funds raised will go toward a private autopsy, private forensic analysis, hiring a private investigator, and possibly an attorney to help us sue the city of Jefferson Parish. We are determined to continue fighting for answers and justice for Shelby, even when the authorities are not helping us.

Please, if anyone can find it in their heart to donate to this cause, I would be forever grateful. Your support will help us get the answers Shelby deserves and pursue justice for her. I am her oldest sister, Christie Lukes, and I will not stop fighting for Shelby.