It has been a week since the police discovered 35-year-old Jonathan Rodgers with bodily trauma and rushed him to the hospital, where he tragically passed away. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is currently investigating his death as a homicide.
Zelpha Rodgers, his mother, mentioned that she had seen him earlier in the day. She was planning to pick him up for dinner along with his two youngest children.
“I arrived at around 5:15,” Rodgers recalled. “He approached the van and casually threw his backpack through the window. He assured me he would return shortly after a quick trip to the ATM. I patiently waited for an hour, but he never showed up again.”
Jonathan and his wife found themselves without a home, but they had the option to stay with his mom on occasion. According to Rodgers, her grandchildren were going hungry, so she instructed her daughter-in-law to have Jonathan reach out to her when he was prepared. It was well past midnight when her phone finally rang.
Rodgers recalled receiving a distressing call from Jonathan’s wife, who was in tears and explained that there had been a serious altercation. She informed him that Jonathan had sustained significant injuries and was being taken away in an ambulance.
“I gently caressed his head and cheek,” shared Rodgers remorsefully. “I expressed my heartfelt apologies for my absence, for not being there to protect him. It is a mother’s duty to shield her children, and I failed in that aspect. I departed a mere 20 minutes too early.”
She voiced her frustration with the way the Kansas City Police Department is handling the investigation.
“They’re not telling me anything,” Rodgers expressed frustration. “They haven’t even spoken to his wife. They were searching the streets initially, but that’s about it. Whenever I try to call or text, they don’t respond. I’m not getting any information. No answers. I need to know what happened to my son.”
On Friday, Rodgers ventured to the intersection of 6th and Monroe, the site of the reported altercation. Despite her efforts to engage with the individuals present, she encountered resistance as everyone, including Jonathan’s wife, seemed apprehensive to speak up.
Rodgers mentioned that many homeless individuals are hesitant to speak up due to having warrants for their arrest.
Rodgers is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and share what they know. She emphasizes that if they cooperate with the police, they have been assured that a background check will not be conducted.
“He wasn’t just a stranger without anyone,” Rodgers expressed. “He had a family. His two daughters won’t have their father to accompany them down the aisle. His son doesn’t have anyone to take him fishing.
We had plans for last Sunday – I had already purchased the tickets – to visit a pumpkin patch. I didn’t disclose what had happened to them; I simply informed them that their father was unwell and had gone to heaven. On our way to the pumpkin patch, they kept mentioning how their dad was supposed to be with us. His 4-year-old even asked if I could call heaven so that we could bring their dad along.”
According to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), there are currently no new developments in the investigation. However, they want to assure the public that every case is treated with utmost importance and thoroughly investigated. KCPD empathizes with the victims and their families, and their dedicated detectives always give their full commitment and effort to solving these cases.
The statement emphasized the importance of witnesses coming forward with any information related to a crime in the city. It emphasized that getting justice for the victims relied on the cooperation of the community.
The police department acknowledged that not everyone may feel comfortable speaking publicly with the police, which is why they encouraged the use of the anonymous TIPS hotline. However, they emphasized that it was crucial for people to report anything they see in order to solve and reduce crime. They highlighted the need for everyone to work together to make Kansas City a better and safer place for all.