Relatives speak out as murder charges come in 'Backpage' case

By Amy Lange
Fox 2 News

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) -- A cousin sat and sobbed.  Another cousin comforted her.  They are still hurting and trying to comprehend the cold-hearted killings of cousins and best friends Renisha Landers and Demesha Hunt.

"Our daughters are in heaven.  We know they're in heaven.  They (are) all right," said Chikita Madison, Renisha's mother.

"Loved her family, loved her friends, was a beautiful girl," said Denise Reid, Demesha's mother.

Last December we met their families, including Demesha's ten-month-old daughter too young to understand her mother was gone forever.

A week later, two other young women, Vernithea McCrary and Natasha Curtis, would meet the same fate.  This time the car was set on fire and their bodies burned beyond recognition.

Later police would learn three of the four women had advertised as escorts and allegedly met their accused killer, James Brown, on Backpage.com.

"I didn't know anything about my daughter or my niece associated with it, so I'm hearing it like you are," Demesha's mother said.

Months ago, another person of interest was cleared of any involvement in these crimes, but some relatives say they don't believe that Brown acted alone.

"We want somebody to get brought down with him because he didn't do it by himself," said Tommy Burton, Renisha's brother.

Investigators say it appears Brown acted alone.  He is now facing life in prison if convicted.

"He's going to get what he deserves," Renisha's mother said.