DETROIT – Dozens of people gathered on the east side of Detroit Monday for a vigil and march to stop violence, and to honor missing mother Tamala Nikki Wells and Aundrea Garland, who was murdered in 2014.
Members of the community, along with the mothers of Wells and Garland, gathered for the vigil, pleading for someone to come forward with information about their daughters.
"Your heart has got to be heavy. There’s no way in the world you could walk around with a secret this deep and not tell nobody unless you just ain’t got no conscience, no heart, no nothing," said Donna Davis, Wells' mother.
Davis has been searching for her daughter, Tamala, and holding vigils for four years now. Wells went missing back in 2012 after leaving her home in the 19700 block of Appleton on Detroit’s west side. Her vehicle was found on the east side of Detroit.
"I’ve been in vacant houses. I been to the morgue. I’ve been to the river. I’ve been in spots. I’d give up everything I own. I would give it up right now for my baby. Give me my baby back, and I pray you don’t give her back to me in a box. That’s my hope. That’s my prayer, and I’m praying and I’m asking, I’m expecting a miracle today," Davis said.
Margaret Garland has also been wanting answers in the death of her daughter, Aundrea Garland, who was killed in 2014.
"She was killed by a street gang, Seven Mile Bloods. Nothing has been done and I don’t want my daughter’s case to be a cold case anymore. We want justice. We want justice for our children. I want my daughter’s murderers in prison. I want them to pay for what they did to my daughter. I’m tired of it," Garland said.
The group passed out fliers with information about Wells and Garland in the neighborhood after gathering in a circle to pray for the violence to end in Detroit.
"The teddy bears strapped to these poles after people die, we don’t want that. We want our kids, and we want justice. We want answers and we want them today," Garland said.
"I need my daughter home. I love my daughter. Bring Nikki home. Bring her home, y’all," Davis said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, www.1800SPEAKUP.org or text CSM and tip information to 274637.