The Unresolved Tragedy of Austin Johnes: A Family's Quest for Justice in Louisville's Portland Neighborhood

A Life Cut Short: The Tragic Death of Austin Johnes

On May 18, 2020, the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, was shaken by the tragic death of 22-year-old Austin Johnes. In a harrowing incident, Austin was stabbed to death at his residence on North 27th Street. The gravity of the situation was intensified by the fact that his mother, Jessica Patterson, was on the phone with him during the attack. She recounted, "I heard the fight. I heard the phone hit the floor. I heard dogs barking. And then, you know, after that, no one came back to the line."

A Mother's Unyielding Pursuit of Justice

In the years following Austin's death, Jessica Patterson has been relentless in her pursuit of answers. Each passing year without resolution deepens her pain and heartache. She expressed feelings of neglect, stating, "We definitely have felt forgotten like a number." To honor Austin's memory and cope with the ongoing grief, the family gathers annually at the cemetery. In one such gathering, they celebrated with pizza, cake, and a surprise appearance from "Happy George," a local singer. Jessica reflected, "Absolutely he would want us to be doing this. You know, my son, he was happy and he loved to laugh and joke and, you know, play around. And he loved getting together with his family." ...Read More

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