The Lawrence woman who was killed Friday was Jina Anne Reyes, a 35-year-old mother to a daughter and a son, according to her obituary.
Lawrence police were called Friday morning to the former VFW building in the 1800 block of Massachusetts Street, where they found Reyes behind the building. Police said she appeared to have been stabbed multiple times.
Reyes, a proud member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was born in Rapid City, South Dakota and attended school there as well as in Hiawatha, Kansas. She grew up “surrounded by the love of her family,” according to her obituary.
Reyes was known for her artistic abilities. She spent a lot of her spare time drawing and aspired to be a tattoo artist, according to her obituary.
“Her creativity was a defining feature of her character,” her family wrote. “… She truly embodied life and enjoying being here in the moment, wore her heart on her sleeve and befriended everyone.”
Police on Friday arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of second-degree murder. Police said he was known to Reyes. He was being held without bond at the Douglas County jail as of Saturday afternoon as prosecutors reviewed the case to consider charges, jail records showed.
The family is planning a gathering for people to “come together, share blessings, and offer positive thoughts as Jina begins her journey to the spirit world.” That is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31 at the fire circle west of the auditorium at Haskell Indian Nations University.
The family has created an online fundraiser to assist with Reyes’ funeral and burial as they were not prepared for the unexpected costs. That can be found at gofundme.com/f/help-us-honor-jinas-memory.
“For all who knew her, you’ll remember Jina as a truly radiant person who deeply touched the lives of everyone around her,” Reyes’ sister, Melinda Mitchell, wrote on the GoFundMe page. “… We want to give Jina the memorial she deserves to honor her memory and give everyone a chance to say a final goodbye.”
Reyes is survived by her daughter, son, parents, three sisters, a brother and numerous other relatives, according to her obituary.
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