Woman, 73, Has Arm Torn Off in Carjacking by Four High Schoolers

There are some really bad people in this world who do truly evil things that are beyond comprehension. It’s even more incomprehensible when the people who commit those acts aren’t even adults yet. This is just what happened earlier this month when four teenagers senselessly murdered a 73-year-old woman. 

Teens Drag 73-Year-Old Woman To Her Death

The New Orleans authorities have arrested four teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 for the murder of 73-year-old Linda Frickey. For reasons not yet known, the four kids decided to try and hijack the woman’s car. They forcefully entered the vehicle and tried to kick her out of it. Linda became entangled in her seatbelt, however. Still, the teens tried to drive off with the car. Because Linda was still caught in the belt, they dragged her along with them. (1)

While dragging her, they ended up ripping off one of her arms. Linda then bled to death in the street. Witnesses rushed in to try and help the woman, as she was still alive after the car sped off. The onlookers did everything they could to help her while they waited for emergency response to arrive. Unfortunately, they were too late. Linda died right there in the street. Still working as a life insurance agent, Linda was one month away from retirement. Her family says what she was looking forward to most was spending more time with her 7-year-old granddaughter.

“Linda was trying to survive,” her younger sister JinnyLynn Griffin said. “She was 73, and still breathing, waiting for an ambulance when this ordeal happened. She was a fighter. This is totally senseless.”

The Murderers

All four suspects are teenagers. They are 17-year-old John Honore and three 15-year-old girls: Briniyah Baker, Marquel Curtis and Lenyra Theophile. Because all four are juveniles and under the legal age, authorities have not released their names or photos. They were caught because the mother of one of the girls turned her in. The male suspect’s parents then tipped off the authorities, which is how they caught Honore and one of the girls. Finally, the last 15-year-old girl turned herself in shortly after. Authorities have charged all four with second-degree murder.

“I can’t say this enough: when they pulled away, and she was in that strap, they made the decision to murder her. They should pay for it.” said Griffin.

Linda’s sister-in-law Kathy Richard was equally as devastated and in shock. Linda’s family and friends are having a hard time understanding how anyone could do this, let alone a group of teenagers.

“Just opened the door, kicked, tried to kick her loose… but it didn’t work,” Richard said. “How can you kick her? It’s just beyond comprehension. It’s evil.You don’t just go from being a kid in school, going to take a walk, to killing someone. It was murder. It was downright murder.”

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A Devastated Family

This was a completely senseless act of murder. An innocent person with so many more years to live died for no reason. In a matter of minutes, the four young people went from being teenagers to murderers. A family lost a sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.

“To be honest, my oldest sister is probably one of the strongest and I don’t know how she’s keeping it together because I really can’t,” said Griffin. “She was my go-to. My mom died when I was 34. I’m 60. So Linda was always here. We lived here for years together.”

Linda’s husband is also having a hard time coping. He had recently retired and was looking forward to one month later when Linda would, as well. Then they would have had more time to spend together and with their families.

“Linda should have lived to be 100 years old still helping everybody,” said Richard. “She didn’t have the chance to see her son get married next year and her granddaughter was only seven years old. She didn’t get enough time with her. She did not deserve to go that way.”

A Call To Be Punished As Adults

In a press conference, the NOPD superintendent Shaun Ferguson thanked the parents of the teens who both turned in their own children and encouraged their children to turn themselves in. 

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, on the behalf of these parents, and I want to commend them for doing the right thing,” Ferguson said. “It’s very painful to turn in your child for something you know they were not raised to be.” (2)

The people of the city are calling for the authorities to punish these teenagers as adults and under the full extent of the law.

“I would say absolutely I will ask they be charged as adults,” Ferguson said. “I mean, look at the nature of the crime. Brazenness. Broad daylight. No regard for this woman hanging outside the car. … At some point, we have to hold people accountable.”

“I’m not an advocate for incarceration, but sometimes people need to be locked up,” he continued. “When you commit a crime like this, absolutely you need to be locked up.”

We will have to wait and find out what the final decision will be. 

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