On a late summer morning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the life of 42-year-old Carmen G. Rivera-Colon, a Hispanic female, came to a tragic end. On August 29, 2015, around 11:30 a.m., her body was discovered behind a residence in the vicinity of 24th and Scott streets. This discovery marked a grim milestone for the city, as her death was recorded as the 104th homicide of the year.
The circumstances of her death were immediately troubling to the community, with some residents in the area reporting that they had heard gunshots earlier that morning.
Carmen was a woman known for her dedication to helping others. She had built a career that reflected her compassionate nature, working first as a pharmacy technician and later as a Customer Service Manager at a law firm. Her commitment to her community was further evidenced by her role as the Latino Funeral Service Coordinator with Foster Funeral & Cremation Service, a unique position in south-central Wisconsin. She was remembered by her family as a generous and dedicated individual who was passionate about her son, family, and friends. Born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, she was an active and devoted member of the Latino community.
In the wake of the discovery, the Milwaukee Police Department launched an investigation into her death. High-profile city officials, including Mayor Tom Barrett and Alderman Bob Donovan, visited the neighborhood to speak with concerned residents, acknowledging the rising tide of violence in the city. Despite a thorough canvas of the area and interviews with numerous people, the investigation did not yield any immediate arrests. While neighbors speculated that she may have been targeted, no suspects were publicly identified. The lack of immediate answers left a community grappling with fear and frustration as they mourned the loss of a woman who had given so much of herself to others. The Milwaukee Police Department urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in solving the case.
