Syretta's Legacy: A future for her sons 9 & 3 .

My heart breaks over and over again as I try to write this story about my friend of two decades, Syretta Brown.

November 17th is when I received the call that my dear friend’s life was snatched from her in such a cruel way. The case is under investigation the Tacoma News Tribune article that was released on Thanksgiving Day is below. 

Since getting that call, our friend circle has been working hard to let her young sons know where their mother's life ended is not where it began.

Syretta came from a loving two-family home, her parents married for over 35 years and are now retired. She has 1 surviving sibling and two of kind, loving, and smart sons. 

In high school Syretta and a handful of our friends competed competitively for educational scholarships and opportunities like Costco Jr. College. On our long bus rides from Lakewood, WA to Issaquah, WA we would be dreaming out loud about our futures. 

While other young adults were too busy to volunteer, we always found time as we wanted our voices to be heard from our perspective. 

One of Syretta’s goals was to protect and serve our country. Like a true goal-getter, she turned her dream into a reality. She later was honorably discharged.

A cold reality is that life happens and sometimes we get off course, especially when you battle a mental health disorder like Syretta. The resource scarcity to quality affordable mental health care treatment programs in our communities are almost nonexistent and many turn to drugs to self-medicate and often end up homeless. 

The good, the bad and the human side of Syretta's journey will continue to be a living nightmare for her family. Her untold story needs to be heard, the person who committed this murder, is unknown and still walking freely among our community. (Refer to the News Tribune Article listed below.)

A little more about Syretta's Legacy: Her sons are her living legacies!

Jonas is 9, I asked him what does he do when he thinks of his mom? He said he likes to draw? Let's draw something that reminds you of your mom. He drew a teddy bear.  He said that's what his mother reminded him of. Soft, loving, and beautiful. His father is also deceased.

Jonas, wants to be a film director when he grows up.

Edward is 3, his megawatt smile is warm and reminiscent of his mother. He loves paw-patrol and to dance. He truly has his mother's charismatic spirit.




As we gathered around the Thanksgiving table at Syretta’s parents' home sharing a lot of laughs and even more tears. Syretta's mother shared that she had no idea last thanksgiving would be the last she shared with her only daughter. Tears spill down her face as she chuckled softly remembering how Syretta was rushing her to finish cooking last year she was hungry and could wait to dive into her mother's cooking.

Our family and friends have come together to try and take the ease off of Syretta’s grieving parents and brother. 

Syretta’s Legacy Fund is being created to help support her two sons and family. 

• Resources are needed such as family grief counseling.

• Holiday support to try and normalize the season for Syretta’s children.

• Transportation for a now increased family size.

• Education funds, childcare, learning experience, gym membership, college fund, mentorship, etc.

• Real experiences that children should experience v.s. The real-life unsolved tragic of murder of their mother.

This campaign was written by: Denise Nicole' Johnson on behalf of Syretta Brown's family. #justice4syrettabrown 


Article from the News Tribune: 

The decomposing body of a woman who’d suffered a broken jaw and stab wound to her face was found on Tacoma’s Eastside earlier this month, her family and friends say.

The woman’s mother, Debora Underwood, wants justice for the death of her 35-year-old daughter, Syretta Brown. She also wants to know how her body went undiscovered for so long. By the time it was found, Brown’s remains had been decomposing for four to six weeks, Underwood told The News Tribune.

 

“Someone should have seen something and heard something,” said Underwood, 58. “They claim that she was alone, so no one heard anything. My main objective is to make sure that whoever did this be caught.”

 

Underwood said her daughter is survived by two children, ages 3 and 9.

 

Brown’s body was found Nov. 13 behind a Tacoma Fire Department station near the intersection of East McKinley Avenue and East 38th Street, according to Underwood, who has spoken to police and officials from the Pierce and King County medical examiner offices about her daughter’s death. 

 

Tacoma Police Department confirmed it is investigating Brown’s death, but a representative for the department could not confirm if police are investigating it as a homicide. Patrol officer Gary Wurges said police have not yet determined how the investigation will proceed. 

An investigator told Underwood that police showed photos of Brown to people at a homeless encampment near where her body was found. People there recognized Brown but didn’t know much about her. 

A Pierce County chaplain called Underwood about Brown’s death Nov. 16. She said officials were able to identify Brown using dental work and fingerprints taken from the remains.

 

Brown’s body was taken to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine a cause of death, Underwood said. James Apa, spokesperson for Seattle and King County Public Health, confirmed Brown’s body was there awaiting a forensic anthropology consultation. 

 

Underwood said it had been a while since she spoke with her daughter. The last address where she knew Brown was staying was a boarding house near South Yakima Avenue and South 37th Street. Brown was kicked out due to behavioral issues. 

 

Underwood said her daughter struggled with mental health issues and drug use.

 

News Tribune: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/crime/article256109247.html