Family Tries To Cope With Wagoner Man's Murder

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

WAGONER, OK -- A Wagoner family is holding together with love and faith after enduring a murder earlier this month.  Justin Childress' death has been devastating, but the fact no one has been arrested, makes it a double blow for his parents and siblings.

Justin was an identical twin.  He and Rush were the youngest of five kids.  The family is still reeling from Rush's accidental death four years ago.  Now, the loss of Justin, who was beaten to death on December 5th, is almost too much to bear.

Justin and Rush were a surprise addition to the Childress family and as the latecomers, were loved and treasured by their parents and older siblings.

Rush was the quieter one and when he died four years ago, the family was devastated.

Justin was the one who kept everyone laughing and now, his death is an even worse blow.

"If you were ever with Justin, you would know how much fun he is and he would make you laugh every minute.  He was a great person," said Justin's niece Jaden George.

Justin was alone at a relative's house outside Broken Arrow, on December 5th, when he and two 17 year olds exchanged some words.  Justin was found beaten and stomped to death.

The phone call was devastating.

"My heart dropped. I just froze and remember saying, what is going on and he said, get over here. Police called and they found someone dead in the yard and Justin's not answering his phone, I'm afraid it's him," said Justin's sister, Chanin.

The two teenagers were questioned and released and deputies are searching for evidence.  Justin's family says the teens don't seem to be sorry, instead, rumor has it, they're bragging and that's a hard for this family to take.

"It's real disturbing when you hear stories about them going around Broken Arrow schools, drawing tear drops on their eyes because they're proud they're now a murderer," said Justin's sister, Chanin.

For now, the family takes comfort in one another and is focusing on their happier memories of Justin's life, rather than how he died.

"It's hard thinking about his last moments, I have peace he's with my brother in heaven and know justice will come," said Justin's sister, Chelbi.

Anybody who has heard any of the suspects taking about the case or anyone who knows anything about the case should call the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office at 585-0685.

Justin's family says an arrest will give them comfort and they need all of that they can get this time of year.