8 Years Later Family Pushes for Wakiesha Wilson Law After Jail Death

PublishedMarch 28, 2024

Downtown, Los Angeles–Yesterday marked the 8th anniversary of Wikesha Wilson’s tragic death while in custody of the LAPD, highlighting the continued calls for justice from her grieving family.

Wilson, 36, was found dead inside her cell at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center in 2016 and her family are adamant she was killed based on the circumstances surrounding her death.

The family’s anguish was compounded by the lack of communication from authorities, as they were never directly contacted regarding Wilson’s death. Instead, they embarked on a harrowing journey, making numerous calls to Los Angeles jails and departments, desperately seeking information about her whereabouts. It wasn’t until 18 agonizing days later that Wilson’s family was finally able to see her body at the L.A. morgue.

“That’s some cold shit,” says Sheila Hines-Brim, Wilson’s aunt and a fierce advocate for her niece. Sheila has been tirelessly supporting her sister and relentlessly pursuing justice for Wilson, who was killed on her birthday.

Her dedication was vividly displayed in 2018 during a heated Los Angeles Police Commission meeting when she threw Wilson’s ashes onto then Police Chief Charlie Beck.

Hines-Brim, as she is known, walked toward Beck and hurled a handful of white powder in his direction, declaring, “That’s Wakiesha. She’s going to stay with you!”

Yesterday, at the weekly Black Lives Matter grassroots action in Downtown Los Angeles, Sheila brought a small porcelain container containing the remaining ashes of her niece. With unwavering determination, she called for support for the “Wakiesha Wilson Law,” a crucial initiative that aims to prevent similar tragedies.

“Wakiesha was a Black, Divine Woman. She is here with us and I felt that it was important that her spirit helps us usher in Wakiesha Wilson Law,” Sheila Hines-Brim shared.

The proposed law would mandate authorities to contact a family member within 24 hours of an in-custody death, ensuring that loved ones are informed promptly and treated with dignity and respect.

The gathering was not just a commemoration of Wilson’s life but a powerful demand for accountability and systemic change within Los Angeles law enforcement. As the family continues their fight for justice, their unwavering commitment serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of police brutality and the urgent need for reform.

Wilson’s mother, Lisa, shared that she has been unable to grieve since she lost her daughter in 2016, because she is still pushing for justice. As she stood with the support of her sister and other mothers who lost their children to law enforcement in L.A, Lisa shared she was finally able to cry, something she has not done in over two years.

“Today is extremely hard for me. You may look O.K on the outside, but you don’t know what’s going on in the inside of that person. On the inside I’m screaming, because look where I’m standing.”

Black Lives Matter Grassroots member Yazmin read a beautiful poem written specifically to honor Wilson’s memory and uplift the continued push for justice and accountability in her name.

The legacy of Wikesha Wilson lives on through the unwavering determination of her family, who refuse to let her memory fade into the shadows of injustice. As they persist in their pursuit of accountability, their voices grow louder, echoing the cries for justice that resonate across communities affected by police violence nationwide.