SABRINA MATTHEWS - 14 yo (2008) - Queens/ New York City NY

Community seeks justice for slain teen
by AnnMarie Costella, Chronicle Reporter
11/11/2010

	Sharida Matthews mourns the daughter she lost to a brutal killer two years ago, during a candlelight vigil held in her memory Tuesday. PHOTO BY ANNMARIE COSTELLA

“Justice for Sabrina,” chanted a group of more than 50 people as they marched through the streets of Cambria Heights on Tuesday demanding that the killer of Sabrina Matthews be apprehended. It has been two years since she was found murdered in her family’s home.
“They cut up my beautiful daughter like an animal,” sobbed Sharida Matthews, mother of the slain teen. “I want justice and I’m asking the detectives and the police, don’t give up. We have to find this killer that is on the street killing children.”


Sabrina Matthews was found dead in her bedroom on Nov. 9, 2008 around 12:30 p.m. The 14-year-old was naked from the waist down and her throat had been slashed.
Her room remains much the way it was, except for the bed and carpet, which were removed because they had been covered in blood. Her mother usually avoids the space because the memories are just too painful.
“Every day when I think about it, I say ‘Sabrina, I’m so sorry.’ I should have protected her. That’s what mothers do. That’s what parents do,” Matthews said. “Right in my home where I thought we were safe. The pain in my heart — it’s like someone stabbed me in my chest. It’s not going away. I just pray to God every day to give me strength.”
Sabrina was the youngest of four children, all girls. Her mother, family, friends and neighbors gathered at the family’s home on 234th Street for their second annual candlelight vigil — an event they plan to hold every year until the person or persons who committed the murder is apprehended.
The ceremony was highly emotional and spiritual with much prayer and singing of gospel songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “Touching Jesus.” The religious portion of the ceremony was led by the Rev. Susan Slater of City Mission Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn.
“God, let the killer go to the police right now and say, ‘I am the one,’” prayed Slater. “Father, stall that killer’s conscience, because every one of us has a conscience. And Lord Jesus, torment the killer right now. Torment him right now. Bring him forth. That is our heart’s desire.”
Valerie Bell, mother of police shooting victim Sean Bell, was also in attendance. She has been offering her support to the family since the gruesome crime occurred, helping them post reward flyers and consoling Sharida Matthews when her grief left her on the verge of collapse.
“It would be devastating for me to stay in the same house, but for her, it’s something that she wants to do,” Bell said. “Feeling the presence of her child here probably keeps her going, even though it’s painful.”
Sabrina’s sister, Aneita, says that every time she sees a young girl around her sister’s age at the bus stop or in the neighborhood, she is reminded of the crime and feels like bursting into tears.
“I have Sabrina tattooed on my arm and on my leg,” she said. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her. We just need closure, but I guess closure is going to take a long time.”
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by text to 274637 (CRIMES), then TIP577. Information will be kept confidential.
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