In the summer of 2023, the life of 15-year-old Cortez Hampton Jr., a Black male, was tragically cut short in his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan. On the morning of July 7th, his body was discovered in an abandoned house located in the 2000 block of South Jefferson Avenue. Responding to a call just before 10 a.m., officers from the Saginaw Police Department found Hampton deceased at the scene, having sustained at least one fatal gunshot wound.
Cortez was remembered by his family as a good person with a great sense of humor who enjoyed playing video games, creating rap music, and spending time with his loved ones. His mother, Amanda Walker, has publicly voiced her belief that her son's death was a premeditated act carried out by individuals he considered to be his friends. She alleges that these individuals lured him to the abandoned house under the false pretense of a party. According to Walker, their motive was rooted in her son's refusal to participate in their criminal activities.
In the months following her son's death, Walker has actively sought justice, appealing to the public for any information that might lead to an arrest. She has claimed that the perpetrators recorded her son's final moments, a video she has been trying to obtain for law enforcement. In a heart-wrenching account, she stated that in the recording, her son can be heard saying, 'I thought you all were my friends,' before he was shot.
As of the latest available reports in the fall of 2023, no arrests had been made in connection with the murder of Cortez Hampton. The Saginaw Police Department's investigation remains open and ongoing. Authorities have continued to urge anyone with information regarding the case to come forward and assist in bringing those responsible to justice. The community and his family await answers in the unresolved death of the young teenager.
