KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A mother is desperate for answers as police investigate who shot and killed her son and his best friend. Someone discovered the bodies Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery near 12th and Quindaro in Kansas City, Kansas, officers said.
They believe someone shot and killed them there, or dumped their bodies there overnight.
On Friday, police identified the victims as 25-year-old Lydell Irvin and 22-year-old Naythan Walton. As police investigate the double-homicide, Irvin’s family is trying to make sense of what happened.
“Why would y’all kill him?” asked Naomi Irvin, his mother. “Whoever did it and just throw his body out there like he’s nothing? He was something to me. That was my baby. That was my baby.”
Distraught, she is now left only with old photos and endless questions. It’s a new reality she doesn’t want to accept.
“In my mind, I’m thinking he’s going to walk through those doors,” Naomi said. “But just seeing people coming in and out, and asking me about my child, letting me know that it’s real, that he’s really gone, somebody actually killed my child,” she went on, before breaking down in tears.
His father, Lydell Irvin Sr., held her hand tightly as they reflected on their son’s sudden death.
“I just feel like a part of me is gone and I’m never getting it back,” he said.
Online records show their son had a criminal past. Irvin was found guilty of theft in 2009 and burglary in 2012. But his mother insisted he had since turned his life around. She said he had a job and was focused on being there for his two-year-old twins.
“He wasn’t perfect,” she said. “But I promise you, he didn’t deserve that. He didn’t.”
Now, it’s up to police to track down those responsible, as Irvin’s mother begs for someone to come forward.
“Please, don’t let this go unsolved,” she said.” I need peace. We need to know what happened. What led up to this, so we can have some peace. That’s all we want – peace.”
Irvin’s parents told FOX 4 they have no idea who would target their son and his friend. But if you do, police want to hear from you. Call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
