Corey’s Network celebrates 10 years of helping KC-area families impacted by homicide

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - For 10 years, Corey’s Network has helped the families of homicide victims in Kansas City. Homicides catch families by surprise, and Corey’s Network has helped pay for hundreds of funerals across Kansas City in the last decade.

“The work they are doing, it doesn’t go publicized enough,” said Kevin Boehm, the former coordinator for the Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline.

Corey’s Network was founded by Michelle Norris after her son, Corey Laykovich, was murdered in 2013. His homicide went unsolved for 3.5 years. Norris wanted to help other families in her shoes, so she co-founded Corey’s Network in 2014.

“Over the last 10 years, we have helped pay for over 450 funerals at this point,” said Norris. “We’ve also identified 741 unsolved homicides since 1970.”

In addition to paying for funerals, the organization is an advocacy program for surviving victims of homicide – helping families find counselors and navigate the court and investigative process. Boehm, who met Norris a decade ago after her son was killed, says the work Corey’s Network does is invaluable to Kansas City.

“It’s super important. Obviously, a situation like that, most of these families feel like they are on an island. They don’t know what to do,” Boehm said. “Corey’s Network is able to help not only with the funeral component but a lot of the other things that will help these families get through this traumatic situation.”

So far, there have been 139 homicides in Kansas City this year, compared to 172 at this point a year ago. Norris is happy to see the homicide numbers go down, but she wants to see that trend continue.

“I think the fact that we have less homicides this year than we have had in the last couple of years is a promising sign. Until it’s gone on for two years or more, I can’t really say that this is a pattern,” Norris said. “One time is a situation. Two times is a pattern I want to see that over several years.”

As part of the 10-year anniversary, Corey’s Network opened its first office. It’s located at 31 W. 31st Street, KCMO, 64108. You can find out more about the organization here: Homepage – Corey’s Network.

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