SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — When 39-year-old Jamie Reed was found dead in the Kaiser South parking structure on July 24, her family was left devastated and seeking answers. More than three months later, they are still in the dark about the circumstances of her death.
Reed, a mother of six and hospital employee, was found dead with the cause of death classified as undetermined by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. Despite this classification, Sac PD stated that no foul play is suspected at this time.
Community advocates, including Berry Accius, founder of Voice of the Youth, have been supporting Reed’s family. They are also questioning the lack of urgency in solving the case, particularly when it comes to women of color suspiciously dying.
The family and community advocates are also perplexed by the lack of information and communication from the police, with Reed’s aunt, Blanchie Matlock, expressing frustration over the apparent lack of seriousness in the investigation due to Reed’s race.
Despite the presence of video surveillance in the parking structure, it is unclear why no substantial progress has been made in the investigation. According to police, they are awaiting the coroner’s report before further investigating the incident.
The coroner’s office has stated that the cause and manner of Reed’s death are pending, which can take six months or more to finalize. Meanwhile, Kaiser has declined to comment on the case to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Through an analysis, The OBSERVER found at least 218 deaths of undetermined cause in Sacramento County from October 2022 to September 2023, significantly outnumbering the 88 recorded homicides in the same period. Additionally, the disproportionate number of Black people accounted for in these undetermined deaths raises further questions and concerns.
Reed’s case sheds light on the lack of public awareness around cases of suspicious deaths, as police typically issue press releases only for certain types of cases, leaving many families struggling for answers and closure.
In conclusion, the family and community advocates continue to seek answers regarding the mysterious death of Jamie Reed, as they grapple with the lack of transparency and urgency in the investigation. The case also highlights broader concerns about the lack of accountability and public awareness surrounding suspicious deaths.