A New Year Without Jaylen: Grief, Truth, and Our Unyielding Fight for Justice
As the world welcomes a new year, our family steps into it carrying an unbearable truth: Jaylen should be here.
Jaylen decorating the Christmas tree.
The turning of the calendar does not reset grief. It does not soften the ache of absence or quiet the questions that still echo through our days and nights. The new year arrived without our beloved Jaylen Reeves, a son, a nephew, a brother, a cousin, a friend, whose life was violently taken from us at just 15 years old.
There are no words large enough to hold this kind of loss. Only love. And pain. And an unwavering determination to ensure that Jaylen’s life mattered. AND STILL MATTERS.
Who Jaylen Was
Jaylen was gentle in a world that often isn’t.
He was kind in ways that were instinctive, not performative. He had a smile that made people feel safe.
He loved football, the discipline, the brotherhood, the dream. He loved his family fiercely. He showed up as a protector to his younger brothers, a source of joy to his parents, and a light to everyone who truly knew him. Jaylen carried a future that was bright, expansive, and full of promise. He was becoming someone, and the world needed who he was becoming.
That future was stolen from him.
Jaylen’s Final Act of Love
In the midst of our devastation, Jaylen gave the world one last, extraordinary gift.
#donatelife #herodonor #organdonations #jaylenisahero
Through organ donation, Jaylen saved 3 lives.
Even in death, our Jaylen, a child, was generous. His heartbeat, both literal and spiritual, lives on. Families who still have their loved ones with them today do so because of Jaylen. This truth does not erase our grief, but it gives it meaning. Jaylen’s life continues to ripple outward in ways that remind us that love is stronger than violence.
Denied Justice, Not Silenced
Our grief has been compounded by a painful and devastating reality:
Justice has been denied.
Despite the facts, despite the loss of a child, despite our pleas, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, under County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, has failed to pursue justice for Jaylen. This decision has left our family re-traumatized, unheard, and forced to fight a system that too often turns its back on Black and Brown children.
Let us be clear:
We are not confused.
We are not mistaken.
And we are not going away.
Seeking accountability is not vengeance. It is love in action. It is what Jaylen deserves.
To Our Community: Your Love Is Holding Us Up
Letter-signing event to Cty Atty Rachel Mitchell.
To everyone who has stood with us, who has shared Jaylen’s name, checked on our family, prayed for us, donated, written letters, signed letters, or simply refused to forget, please know this:
Your support is a lifeline.
Grief can be isolating, especially for families of color navigating systems that were not built to protect us. Your presence reminds us that we are not alone, that Jaylen’s life has left an imprint far beyond our family, and that collective love is powerful.
Healing Is Not Linear, But It Is Possible
We want to speak directly to other families walking this road of unimaginable loss:
You are not weak for breaking down.
You are not wrong for being angry.
You are not failing because you’re still grieving.
Healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning how to carry love and loss in the same body. Some days we breathe. Some days we don’t. Both are human.
We honor Jaylen by telling the truth.
We honor him by demanding justice.
We honor him by loving loudly, even when it hurts.
Moving Forward With Purpose
This new year is not about “moving on.”
It is about moving forward, with Jaylen beside us in spirit.
We will continue to fight for accountability.
We will continue to speak Jaylen’s name.
We will continue to protect his legacy.
And we will continue to stand for every child whose life has been cut short by violence and systemic failure.
Jaylen’s life mattered.
Jaylen’s life STILL MATTERS.
And our fight for justice is an extension of our love.
With gratitude, grief, and unshakable resolve,
The Reeves Family 🕊️💙✨
If you feel called to support our family, here are ways to do so with care and intention.
Please join us:
Speak Jaylen’s name and share his story
Stay informed and engaged as we seek accountability
Light a candle (blue was Jaylen’s favorite color) or say a prayer in Jaylen’s honor every 16th day of the month and tag us on social media
Support our justice letter-bomb campaign by clicking here.
Come to an event, check our calendar often
There is no obligation, only love, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
