Mom of murder victim hopes to help other families

The mother of one of the victims of the Newark schoolyard murders is opening a nonprofit organization to help other families navigate through the judicial system. This summer will mark eight years

News 12 Staff

Jul 2, 2015, 7:00 AM

Updated 3,384 days ago

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The mother of one of the victims of the Newark schoolyard murders is opening a nonprofit organization to help other families navigate through the judicial system.
This summer will mark eight years since Shalga Hightower's daughter Iofemi was murdered along with two other friends while hanging out on a playground behind Ivy Hill Elementary School. Several alleged MS-13 gang members were tried and convicted in the murders.
Following the death of her daughter, Hightower attended every single court proceeding. She lost her job and was homeless with her two other children after being evicted from her home. 
Now, after getting her life back together, Hightower says she wants to help other families work their way through the judicial system and the courtroom. Hightower will offer support groups for the families of other victims of violence.
The organization will be named after Hightower's daughter Iofemi.