ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The family of Charles Durden, a man who was killed in 2016, held a community memorial walk on Saturday at the same intersection where he and his friend were found murdered in a burning vehicle.
RELATED: Initial coverage of this case
At the event, News4JAX spoke with Annette Durden, Charles' mother, who said the eight years since her son was found dead have been a “tough road” for her family, but they are all still hoping for justice.
Annette says she and her family meet where her son’s body was found to keep his name alive and celebrate his life.
“We want our voices to be heard,” she said. “We want everybody to hear and know ‘Long Live Juvie.’”
On this day in 2016, the St. Augustine Police Department responded to reports of a vehicle fire at Fred Waters Way and Spring Street. Upon arrival, officers found Charles Durden, 27, and Staffon Larry, 26, dead in the burning vehicle.
The manner of death was ruled a homicide for both victims and the causes of death were determined to be gunshot and arson.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Lavert Durden, Charles' cousin, was also shot and killed two years later.
On Nov. 15, 2023, Durden’s mother told News4JAX that the last time her family was given an update on the case was in 2018.
“Please come forward. My family and I want closure. We want justice. And I’m sure Staffon’s mom wants the same thing,” she said one year ago. “We ask the public for somebody, anybody that knows anything, even if it is the littlest information to break this case.”
On Saturday, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said it has identified a person of “investigative interest” in Durden and Larry’s cases, but no arrests have been made.
While her son’s case remains unsolved, his mother leaves a message for the person or people responsible.
“I want them to know I’m still standing strong,” she said. “I’m gonna continue to stand strong for my son and my family...I’m speaking to those cowards out there who are responsible for not only my child but his friend, Steffon. Y’all ain’t stopped us. You won’t stop us. Long live Juvie. Long live Juvie, always and forever.”
Anyone with information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a $10,000 cash reward and is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-8477, or the SJSO non-emergency line at 904-824-8304.