Friend Tribute...Darren Christian

So to many of you that are reading this post did not know and will never get the chance to know Darren. I know this is the second sad friend tribute in a row but this month he has been on my mind and I also got some developing information about his murder case as well and that I'm sure is the biggest reason he's been on my mind. I thought I should share with all of you my story on him and the good hearted person he was. I met Darren almost 12 years ago now when I was a junior in high school. We were introduced through a good friend of mine at the time, Jocelyn Burnham. And of course he was 3 yrs older than me, a rebel without a cause, loved to party and of course the parents were not the happiest in the world. But there were so many fun times that I remember and focus on those moments that I remember him the happiest. He was always smiling and making you smile or laugh. He always had to have nicknames for EVERYONE and mine was always Jamilia. There was something about him that just made you never want to leave b/c you always felt so happy. He had such a good soul and heart. He didn't make the best decisions of course but if you knew him you could see the goodness behind his eyes it was unmistakable! But he also had a lot of hurt and sadness inside of him too and dealt with it in well just not the best ways possible. And I knew it wasn't the road I needed to be on, not at first but after graduation I felt so strongly that I needed to be in Utah where my sister was going to school. And I knew moving would be the only way to try and get on the right path, so I did it. That's what got me here to Utah 10 years ago. I never did plan on staying here that's for sure but it happened and there obviously was a reason for me needing to come here. So we kept in contact just a little right after the move on the phone and I saw him a couple times on my home visits but the last time I saw him we played pool in his parent's basement with some friends and it was so fun to catch up with him. For some reason it was very hard to leave that last time I think I knew it would be the last time I saw him deep down but I knew I had to. And it was the last time I saw and talked to him. If I only knew then that his life would of been ended so fast and at such a young age...Could you imagine how differently our lives would be if we all knew when and how everyone goes. It's so interesting to think about. Well his life was taken a little over 2 years ago in Tacoma, Washington where he lived at the time. On February 7, 2006 at only the age of 28, one of his "friends" murdered him and two other people that were with him in his home that day. Sometimes I think what if I kept in contact with him and he knew how good your life could be if you lived in a way that you arn't making ex-con's your "best buds". I know that Darren had every intention that was good with any and all of his friends and he didn't care who you were or what your past was he accepted you for who you were that's just who he was and that's why so many people love him so much. I just feel so badly about how it happened. When talking to his mom after finding out she just said, " I wondered if you'd heard. He was just starting to turn his life around she cried. " How is that, when someone is just starting to get there life back on track and trying to do the right they get killed for it. Life just seems so unfair sometimes. If anyone wants to read the whole story about the murder click on this link. There are also audio interviews of the murderer by press under his picture. There is also an article written by Darren's friend that got shot sister. I just wanted to write about his story because he was a big part of my life then and I just wish he would of had time to finish turning his life around as his mother put it. I am so sorry Kathy and Gerry, you guys are great parents and I know he loved you so much. I also know he is in a better place now and looking down on all of us as an angel. I just hope everything is the way it should be and can be where he is and I also know that Handy, Darren's murderer will definitely get what's coming to him if not already. Rest in peace Darren and know that you are in our hearts and you will always be missed by so many. I'm sure you have your green Ford Mustang with you too...
PS...I apologize if anything in these pictures are offensive to anybody these are the only pictures I have from then and well that was Darren, what can you do!