Updated 02/01/2024 04:03pm
The mayor of Joliet is asking everyone in the community to help raise funds by this Saturday to cover funeral expenses for family members who were killed in mass shootings late last month.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy said not only are members of the Esters’ and Nance families dealing with the unexpected loss and grief of losing seven loved ones who lived in the Joliet area, but they are also tasked with the burden of paying for their funeral expenses.
According to police, seven family members were killed by their relative Romeo Nance, 23, who then killed himself after he fled to Texas. The individuals have been identified as Christine Esters 38; William Esters, 35; Tameaka Nance, 47; Joshua Nance, 31; Alexandria Nance, 20; Alonnah Nance, 16; and Angel Nance, 14.
Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said investigators have yet to determine a motive for the shootings. Officers found the bodies of the victims on Jan. 22, but police speculate they were shot the day before, according to Evans.
He said five of the family members were found dead in one house at 2225 W. Acres Road, and Tameaka Nance and William Esters were found dead inside the other house at 2212 W. Acres Road.
Following the shootings in the two homes, Evans said Nance shot two more men, one of them fatally, before fleeing the Joliet area. Romeo Nance’s girlfriend, Kyleigh Cleveland-Singleton, has since been charged with felony obstruction of justice. She has been placed on home confinement, according to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“These murders were senseless and shocked our entire community,” said D’Arcy. “We may be a city of roughly 150,000 residents, but we are a close-knit community, and we are all grieving with their family.”
Since the mass killings, D’Arcy said residents and business owners have called his office asking what they can do to help. It is why, the mayor said, he is doing what he can to raise awareness and bring financial resources to the family by this weekend.
“They need about $50,000 and to date they have a little under $20,000 so every donation is welcome,” he said. “Joliet residents have some of the biggest hearts in the region and now we can pull together and help one of our own.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, 326 donations totaling $24,937 was raised on the Go Fund Me page. On Wednesday, an anonymous person made a $1,000 donation.
Those interested in making a donation can visit the Go Fund Me page created by Cara Esters at https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-the-esters-and-nance-family.
Cara Esters of Joliet said she takes comfort in the fact that her family was loved throughout Joliet and beyond. The victims included her siblings, nieces, and a nephew.
“To see one family member was to see all family members, as we always showed up and showed out for one another,” she said. “Whether it was a graduation or a sports tournament, we were there cheering each other on. To lose seven beautiful souls at once is devastating.”
She said the Go Fund Me page will “provide assistance in easing the financial burden on the Esters’ and Nance families as we navigate this difficult time.” Funeral services will take place on Saturday.