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The friends and family of Kendra Owen, who was the victim of a homicide in 2020, gathered in the parking lot of Doc’s Bar in Downtown Watertown to walk from the last place Kendra was seen to Lions Park.
The Kendra Owen Memorial Walk event is one Kendra’s family hopes to repeat annually to raise awareness of her unsolved homicide.
The walk began at Doc’s Bar, went past the house where Kendra lived when she was killed, and ended at Lions Park where walkers shared a meal and stories about her.
“I picked this location because it was the last place Kendra had been before she was killed,” said Jewel DeMarrias, Kendra’s mother. “I just wanted to go through her neighborhood. … It’s been six years, and I was wowed because people didn’t know (who she was).”
She spoke about her mission to raise awareness for her daughter.
A boy holds a sign saying “Today Every Step is for Kendra.”
“If we want change, we’re just going to have to continue to get together and keep pushing for change,” DeMarrias said. “I was told not to speak out. … Well, I’m going to have to keep speaking out. Not just for Kendra but for everyone. For everyone like Kendra.”
Crystal Owen, one of Kendra’s aunts, spoke at the gathering after the walk.
“Six years ago (Kendra) was murdered right here in Watertown,” she said. “Today there’s still no answers.”
She said there are many cases like Kendra’s where there isn’t a thorough investigation.
“That breaks our hearts because people are hurting, we’re hurting wondering who did this to Kendra,” she said. “These are the things that we have to go through as Dakota people in this community. … We have to be strong. We have to watch out for each other.”
Crystal urged people to be safe when they go out and to bring a trusted friend with them.
“Let somebody know where you are going,” she said. “When alcohol gets involved a lot of bad things can happen. … Try and stay vigilant. Try and stay aware and alert of your surroundings.”
A poster at the park featured photos of Kendra.
She went on, saying how important it is for the community to stay together and cooperate.
“We need to make a collaborative effort in our programs so when somebody does go missing or if somebody is murdered, then we have resources to spring into action,” she said. “I know a lot of the time the family feels so alone. They feel like nobody cares. But today I see all of you come out here. … That’s a good thing.”
Owen also told the people gathering in Kendra’s memory to keep their heads up even when discouraged.
“I can’t do everything, but I can do something,” she said. “I think that’s true of all of us. We can’t do everything, but we can do something. … If we all raise our voices, and we all ask those important questions, we can create a movement so strong it can’t be held back.”
Todd Brown brings around burning sage so participants can smudge for the event. He helps Vanessa Kirk take part in the ritual before the walk.
Vanessa Kirk and Jewel DeMarrias hold a banner reading “Justice for Kendra Owen,” while leading the walk.
Friends and family of Kendra Owen, the victim of an unsolved homicide, gather at Doc’s Bar for the first memorial walk in her honor.
John Heminger, right, gives a fist bump to a police officer.
A pair of kids watch as the memorial walk passes.
Todd Brown and John Adams hold a cutout reading “We walk for Kendra.”
The memorial walk drew out about 150 people in remembrance of Kendra Owen.
Crystal White holds a sign saying “Justice 4 Kendra” as she walks into Lions Park.
Michelle Cloud, Rachel Roberts and family rest beside the Lions Park building.
Vanessa Kirk speaks after the memorial walk.
