After searching for Mickell Tolbert all week, her family learned Thursday her body was found on Monday.
KCPD identified Tolbert, 21, as the victim of a fatal shooting Thursday afternoon. Police found Tolbert behind an abandoned home after they responded to a shots-fired call at 45th and Garfield around 2:20 p.m. Monday.
Family said Tolbert was last seen with friends at 1:30 and was headed to work.
"It wasn't until that evening when she didn't come home after work, her mother couldn't reach her on her phone, that we began to get worried. It wasn't like her. She was home every night," said Michael Watson, Tolbert’s uncle. "We tracked her iPhone to a location less than two miles from here."
Family and friends gathered at the scene of the crime Thursday afternoon to pray and release balloons in Tolbert's honor. They said Tolbert was a third-year nursing student and worked two jobs. They don't know why anyone would want to hurt her.
"Everyday of the week, literally, someone is being murdered. And you ask yourself why,” said Watson. "It's unexplainable. You can never prepare for it.”
Roslyn Temple of KC Mothers In Charge led the family in prayer before the balloon release.
"I don't know what our community is gonna take...it shouldn't have been Mickell. It shouldn't be any of our children getting murdered," she said.
Tolbert’s family believes she was seen with two men before she was killed. Police haven't released the names of any suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to call the TIPS Hotline at ?816-474-8477.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
