Kansas City mother asks police, public for help solving her son’s murder
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - It’s been 6 months since Jonathan Rodgers Sr. was attacked near 6th and Monroe in Kansas City. He was found by police with ‘bodily trauma’ and rushed to an area hospital, where he died. His mom, Zelpha Rodgers, says they are nowhere closer to any answers.
“I’m agitated, upset,” said Zelpha. “Nothing has been done. Still not really mourning or anything.”
She says his three children continue to question what happened to their father.
“They are having a really hard time coping and dealing with this,” said Zelpha. “They had a rough time during the holidays. They wish their daddy was here.”
She claims police aren’t doing enough to solve her son’s murder.
“They’re not doing nothing,” said Zelpha. “The only thing they keep telling me is it’s an open case. If it’s an open case, do something.”
A Kansas City Police Department spokesperson told KCTV5 there are no updates in the case and investigators continue to pursue leads as they come in. The department encourages anyone with information to come forward, a sentiment Zelpha echoed.
“If you are scared of these people hurting you, talk, get them off the street,” she said. “If you’re scared to talk and say your name or anything, call anonymously. I’m hoping to get through to somebody to the police. I want the police to do their jobs and make an arrest.”
On Thursday, Zelpha and her family walked to 6th and Monroe together as the sun set, holding candles, and playing Jonathan’s favorite song. She hammered a memorial cross she made into the ground and Jonathan’s kids placed flowers.
“I’m hoping that someone will see it and be heartfelt enough to speak up,” said Zelpha. “These children deserve justice. They deserve to be able to know that who hurt their daddy is doing their time.”
The family also placed flyers around the area asking for the public’s help.
The Greater KC Crime Stoppers Program provides the following safe and convenient ways to volunteer vital information helpful to law enforcement agencies, enabling them to fight against crime and solve cases:
- a telephone number, (816) 474-TIPS (8477)
- the Greater KC Crime Stoppers website, kccrimestoppers.com
- the free Crime Stoppers P3 app, ed by Android and Apple
- a Crime Stoppers QR code that takes you straight to our website when scanned.
All persons submitting tips remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment of a felony offender.
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