Crime
New Orleans Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting Found Dead in Apparent Suicide
On January 4, 2025, Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting, 34, was discovered dead at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in what authorities believe to be an apparent suicide. Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and confirmed that Kersting had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Kersting was a key member of the District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) unit. He worked closely with the New Orleans Police Department to investigate and prosecute sexual assault cases using advanced DNA evidence and other forensic techniques. His efforts were instrumental in addressing these complex and sensitive cases, making a significant impact on the lives of survivors and the pursuit of justice.
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office expressed profound grief over Kersting’s untimely death.
“Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting was a beloved member of our office, dedicated to justice and supporting victims of sexual assault. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the office stated.
They also requested privacy for Kersting’s family and colleagues as they cope with the tragic loss.
Kersting’s death has left a void in the legal community, where he was respected for his professionalism and compassion. Many colleagues and community members have expressed their condolences and shared stories of his commitment to justice.
Counseling services have been made available to staff at the District Attorney’s Office, and mental health advocates are urging anyone struggling with similar challenges to seek help.
For individuals in crisis, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988, offering confidential support 24/7.
Crime
Two Young Girls Found Buried in Separate Suitcases in Cleveland Identified as Amor Wilson and Mila Chatman
Mother Aliyah Henderson has been charged for double murder.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Authorities have identified the two young girls whose bodies were discovered inside separate suitcases buried in shallow graves on the city’s East Side as Amor Wilson and Mila Chatman, a tragic development in a case that has shocked the community and prompted an ongoing homicide investigation.
According to investigators, the girls were found Monday evening in a field near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue in the South Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland.
The area is located near Ginn Academy.
Family members shared that a photograph circulating online shows the sisters during a doctor’s appointment in 2019, when they were accompanied by their mother and grandmother.
At the time the photo was taken, Amor was just 3 years old and Mila was 1 year old. Today, Amor would have been 10 years old, and Mila would have been 8 years old.
Mother Aliyah Henderson has been charged for double murder.
The grim discovery was made when a man walking his dog in the area noticed the animal repeatedly alerting to a scent near a fence line.
Investigating further, the man located a partially buried suitcase and contacted authorities.
Officers with the Cleveland Division of Police responded to the scene shortly after 6 p.m. and discovered a shallow grave containing a suitcase with the body of a child inside.
As officers and homicide detectives expanded their search of the surrounding field, they located a second shallow grave nearby containing another suitcase with the body of a second child.
The man who initially discovered the suitcase later told investigators that his dog ran toward the area near a playground where the luggage had been partially buried.
After unzipping the suitcase and seeing a child’s head, he immediately called 911.
During an earlier news conference, Dorothy Todd, chief of the Cleveland Division of Police, described the discovery as a “terrible, horrific situation.”
“This is a traumatic event for our officers and for the community,” Todd said. “This is just such a tragic incident, but we are trying to develop any leads we can. That’s why we are also asking for the community’s help.”
Authorities initially estimated that the victims were between 8 and 14 years old. At the time of the discovery, there were no active missing child reports in Cleveland that matched the girls’ descriptions, adding further complexity to the investigation.
Investigators have also indicated that the remains may have been in the area for some time, though an exact timeline has not yet been determined.
“We know that this didn’t just happen,” Todd said. “We still have to determine exactly when this occurred. At this time, we do not have any indication that there is a clear threat to public safety.”
Officials with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office have taken custody of the bodies and are continuing forensic examinations to determine the cause and manner of death. Authorities have confirmed that the victims’ bodies had not been dismembered.
The case remains under active investigation as detectives work to reconstruct the events leading up to the girls’ deaths and identify those responsible.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit. Additional details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.