GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Neighbors of Latrice Maze gathered on Friday afternoon in Garfield Park to remember the missing mother from Grand Rapids.
They aren’t related to her, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care.
“I don’t know Latrice Maze’s family at all. It just hits so close to home because I am a mother who lost her only daughter four years ago and I just know it will never go away,” said Lucille Bradley, from Grand Rapids.
She and a group of women spent Friday praying and going to door-to-door to hand out flyers with Maze’s picture on the front.
“I just want people to be aware. Not everyone watches the news or is on Facebook,” said Bradley.
As FOX 17 was the first to report Friday, family members say the case is now being called a homicide. Grand Rapids Police would not comment on the homicide classification.
The 26-year-old mother of five from Grand Rapids went missing on March 19. She was last seen near the intersection of Division and Burton in southeast Grand Rapids. Maze was reported missing after she failed to pick up one of her children from school.
While most of the family is meeting with relatives out of state, Maze’s aunt came out to the park to join the group of neighbors.
“It means a lot to know the community has a heart. Even though Latrice doesn’t have a voice right now everyone can be that voice, so thank you all,” said Victoria Ezell, Latrice’s aunt.
She said the family is devastated after learning about the change in the case, but is hopeful they will get answers.
“We just need closure just to bring her home and lay her to rest. We deserve that much,” she said.
The Maze family and organizers also said a prayer for the family of missing Norton Shores woman Jessica Heeringa.
“They are both beautiful young women with babies and we want them home and we want closure. That’s all we ask,” said Lucille Bradley.
The Maze family will have a benefit for Latrice Maze to help pay for funeral costs. It will be Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 736 Jefferson. The public is welcome.
Grand Rapids detectives continue to follow up on tips in the case. At this time, police do not believe this was random and that the suspect involved in her disappearance likely knows Maze.
The Kent County jail has confirmed that Latrice Maze’s boyfriend, Jahleel Hoskins, has been in custody since April 23rd and is being held on a parole hold with no bond.