Local News

Community Demands Capture Of Young Girl's Killer

Mya Lyons, 9, Was Found Murdered In Alley Near Father's Home

CHICAGO (CBS) ― A prayer vigil was held Wednesday as police search for the person who took the life of 9-year-old Mya Lyons in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood.

Investigators intensified their search for the young girl's killer. They don't seem to be making much progress so far.

Balloons, toys and condolences have peen put up at the end of Gilbert Court, the dead-end street behind which Mya was killed.

As police combed the area time and again, mourners gathered, and prayed.

Mya's distraught mother, other family members, friends and local clergymen came together in the neighborhood to remember her.

"That was my baby," Mya's mother, Ericka Barnes, said. "My only girl. I'm trying to figure out how to tell her little brother she's not coming back.

And they pleaded for help in finding her killer.

"If you have any information you're withholding 'cause you're scared, come forward. And if you don't, you have to live with this face," said Mya's aunt Arielle Barnes, pointing to a framed photograph of the young girl.

Mya Lyons was stabbed and beaten to death in a dead-end alley near her father's home.

Her father, Richard Lyons, says he found her dying late Monday night.

There was a march to the murder scene Wednesday, just past the makeshift memorial now in place for the girl. People left messages of love to Mya there, one of them from her best friend, who lives across the street from her father's house. It reads, "Have fun in heaven."

Among those who paid a visit Wednesday was the mother of Ryan Harris, another young murder victim.

"Mya, baby, you were young, innocent, and whoever did this, I will be a part of the people who help bring whoever it is person to justice," Sabrina Harris said.

Gilbert Court runs for just one short block off Vincennes Avenue, before dead-ending into the nearby Metra tracks. Neighbors consider the isolated street safe, but now they are terrified that a predator is lurking.

They all knew Mya Lyons, and they are outraged by the murder.

Richard Lyons got in his van to search for his daughter early Tuesday morning, after he did not find her in the house. He found her body in the alley behind his home in the 8400 block of South Gilbert Court. She had been stabbed multiple times, and was pronounced dead a short time later at Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center.

Earlier, Mya's family said they had heard she had also been sexually assaulted, although an autopsy did not show evidence of such an attack.

Mya lived in west suburban Addison with her mother, but was spending the summer with her father, stepmother and siblings, relatives said.

Richard Lyons said he feels great comfort in knowing the community will not rest until the person responsible for Mya's murder is caught.

"I see and feel love for my daughter, and more importantly than that, I see and feel love for the children of Chicago," Lyons said.

Police say the killer had to be familiar with the neighborhood to know there was an alley at the end of the street. Detectives believe someone may have seen the killer exit the street, and they hope someone will come forward with helpful information.

The community has raised $4,500 to offer as a reward for anyone with information about Mya's murder.

Tuesday, the Rev. Michael Pfleger and other pastors marched with the community and Richard Lyons, calling for an end to the violence. Neighbors say they will not rest until the killer is caught.

"It makes no sense to go to the extreme," said Lakemya Horn, a neighbor of the victim. "She was just a girl – a sweet little girl."

"Nobody has the right to do that," added family friend Constance Morgan. "Nobody has the right to take a child's life – a person's life, period – but a child? Not like that."

Pfleger issued a warning to those who would commit such a heinous act.

"Come forward right now, anyone who knows anything about this murder or the murder of any of our children in our city ... You cannot hide, you cannot hide in our neighborhoods, you cannot hide in our blocks. ... We'll find you," Pfleger said

Mayor Richard M. Daley has also called on everyone in the neighborhood to help find the killer.

"Ask the community to come forward. Go up and down that block and ask the community to put out flyers – did you see anyone involved with that girl? This is a very dangerous crime; dangerous individual, and I really extend my condolences and prayers to the family," the mayor said.

Mayor Daley said the person responsible for the crime should be put away for life or be given the death penalty.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

---