VICKSBURG, Mich. — The family of Erik Cross hopes to keep their son's decades-old unsolved death in the forefront of the community by having others wear a reminder of the case.
Family and friends have decided to sell wristbands with 'Justice for Erik Cross' written on them to raise money for awareness efforts. The wristband is purple because it was Erik's favorite color, family friend Amy Miller told FOX 17.
Miller said the wristbands will cost $2 each and the money raised will go toward the Erik Cross Foundation to pay for supplies to make more fliers and other items to publicize the 32-year-old case. Family and friends also hope to start a scholarship in Erik's name with some of the funds raised.
The wristbands are available for purchase at Tonya's Garage in Vicksburg during normal business hours. More information can be found here.
"It felt like we were close before and it just kind of went quiet," Miller said. "This time we want to keep everybody aware and keep this in everybody's face and don't let them forget this.
"I think it's time for the family to get justice for Erik, it's been long enough."
Cross' body was found lying on Y Avenue near his home in Vicksburg the morning of June 26, 1983. He was 16 years old.
In September, new information was revealed which led to a person of interest who was already serving time in the Kalamazoo County Jail on unrelated charges. The person of interest, who police would not identify, was believed to have been connected to a fight over a girl involving Cross which happened at a party the night before he was found dead.
Police have not released any updates since then.
The case is being investigated as a homicide.
