Fundraising efforts set up for Jessica Newman’s family
Posted May 6, 2015 4:07 pm.
Last Updated May 6, 2015 4:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As the family of a Calgary woman found dead mourns her loss, they’re also hoping for financial help during this difficult time.
Jessica Rae Newman went missing back on March 10th from the Forest Lawn area and on Monday, a body was found in a ditch near Airdrie.
Her mother, Rhonda Stewart, has confirmed the body found was that of Newman.
Now her cousin, Devon Weston, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her parents and so far, it has raised nearly $2,000.
The body was found Monday and Weston got to work immediately, setting up the page on Tuesday afternoon.
He said all the funds will be going towards the parents, who are dealing with other challenges.
Stewart’s own mother recently had surgery because of cancer and her husband Jason was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
Weston said support is critical.
“It’s really tough right now, she’s a full-time mom, she’s taking care of one of the children that was Jessica’s, the other two are spread out throughout the family,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is collect enough funds to make their life stable obviously and make it a little bit easier on them, remove some of the burden from their shoulders and we really want to keep the family together.”
Along with the page, they also trying to plan more formal fundraising events, including a bottle drive and bake sale, but they are still trying to find a venue.
Weston said the ordeal has been difficult on the entire family, of which Newman was a beloved member.
“The best way I can describe it is she was the best, most fun cousin ever,” he said.
The fundraising goal is $10,000 and for more information, visit www.gofundme.com/ttzb3j4
As for Newman’s death, the Calgary Police Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
