Nearly 19 years after an 11-year-old boy named Levi Frady was murdered, his killer remains free. This blog is dedicated to providing the community, the family, and the nation with factual information taken from published news reports — and for the first time — unpublished one-on-one interviews with family members, retired or former law enforcement, an eyewitness who discovered the boy’s body, videotaped interviews of suspects, family photographs, maps, family history, and expert opinions. It’s goal is simple yet profound: to bring Levi’s murderer to justice.
Why hasn’t this crime been solved?
Levi’s body was found Oct. 23, 1997 in a rain-filled pit in Dawson Forest, Dawson County, Georgia — approximately 45 miles north of Atlanta. He had been shot three times, according to news reports.
People have been silent for too long.
“I can’t talk about that,” said former Dawson Forest Area Manager William Thacker, 63, on a warm spring day in 2015 as he and his wife sold honey from the back of a pick-up parked at the Dawson County Extension office. “I was the second one on the scene.”
Law enforcement officials such as Thacker are specifically trained to not discuss details of an “open and active” investigation. As of Feb. 23, 2016, Levi Frady’s case is still open and active.
In Georgia, open and active cases are not subjected to public scrutiny. No one — not family — not the media — is allowed access to Frady’s files. No one knows the last time law enforcement looked at the case.
Too many questions go unanswered.
What you are about to read is a narrative woven together from facts after nearly two years of research by award-winning columnist and investigative reporter, Kimberly Boim. She served as editor and publisher of the Dawson News & Advertiser until it was sold in 2015.
Was Levi dead before his body was dumped in Dawson Forest? Was there a cover-up by law enforcement? Was there a drug deal gone bad? Had he been sexually abused, or sexually mutulated?
Now, pause for a moment to consider this:
Is it possible tensions were so high between law enforcement in Dawson and Forsyth counties and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that it became impossible for them to work together to solve the case? Was a member of law enforcement involved?
Or, was it more simple, as the former editor of the Forsyth Herald newspaper James Budd said recently, “A clever killer beat the cops: at least so far.”
You be the judge.
Before the horrific details of Levi Frady’s murder are posted, it is important to understand Levi — the boy — before he became Levi — the victim.
‘Just a normal little boy’
Levi was blessed with the gift of music. He loved kittens and jumping ramps on his red bicycle. And he had an enormous heart, according to family members. He perhaps could have been the greatest concert pianist in Georgia history, maybe the country.
And his nanny, the one who first showed him the keys, she would have been standing there in a beautiful satin gown with a strand of snowy white pearls around her neck when he played Carnegie Hall.
His talent, she said, revealed itself one day after school in the basement.
“Nay-nee, Nay-nee!” the boy called upstairs.
“What is it Levi?
“Come down here!”
“My hands is covered with flour,” Nanny yelled across the living room to the basement door. “I’m makin’ biscuits.”
The little boy didn’t care.
“Nay-nee. Come quick!”
Nanny thought maybe her grandson was hurt, so she wrung her hands in her apron and hurried down the worn carpeted stairs.
Levi was poised with his back to her, his little legs barely long enough to push down hard on the pedals.
“Listen, I can do it.”
Nanny settled down on the sofa with a sweet smile and gently folded her flour-stewn hands. There seemed to be a light coming from the boy’s face. Maybe it was just his enthusiasm. She blinked hard, frowning in disbelief. Yet, it was there.
His small fingers floated across the length of the keyboard, smoothly, without touching a key.
“Quit teasin’ me Levi,” Nanny said.
“All right. Now, listen,” he said, stretching his arms and back, interlocking his fingers and cracking his knuckles.
The boy played a sweet, simple tune Nanny recognized. Ode to Joy was one of her favorites. She had shown him a few keys, a few notes, and now, there he was, playing without hesitation, without mistakes.
Nanny’s thin bottom lip quivered. Her eyes welled-up as she pushed away a few gray strands that slipped from her ponytail. Nanny had spent her life working, raising her children, loving her husband. Yet, now, it was her grandchildren whose visits she embraced like a warm, fuzzy blanket.
“They’s just normal boys,” Nanny said of Levi and his cousins. “They like playin’ in the creek and visiting each other’s houses, jumping on the trampoline, and ridin’ their bicycles. Levi was so kind and so sweet. I just don’t know why anybody would want to hurt a little boy like that.”
Levi liked giving things. He was known to use his money to buy pizza for everyone in the family, which his granddaddy, Lamar, promptly gave back to him on the ride home to his mama’s.
“Lamar never got to know who killed Levi,” Nanny said. “I hope I know who done it before I die too. It just breaks my heart. All our hearts.”
Levi’s grandaddy passed away Feb. 26, 2014. He and Nanny were married 55 years. Lamar retired from Combustion Engineering. He was a Baptist and a life-long resident of Forsyth County, according to his obituary. His funeral service was held at Ingram’s Funeral Home in Cumming — the same place as Levi’s.
Levi and his twin sister, Laci, attended North Forsyth Middle School in Cumming, Ga. But, his best friend was his cousin, Justin, who penned this memorial poem in 2006 — eight years after Levi’s murder. It was published Sunday, March 6, 2006 in the Forsyth County News:
“As I sit here thinking of you shedding my tears, I picture you growing these past eight years. What would you be like? How tall you’d have grown? But then reality checks, and I see you are gone. But then I go back: what were we, ten? when Nanny used to call us her little men? When you and me and Arliss jumped ramps with our bikes. We’d go to the creek and take three hour hikes. We’d rush down the yard and climb up our tree. We’d sit there and stare as far as we could see. I remember the good times. There were never any bad. You were the best friend I ever had. I can’t help but to cry. You were just so young. Now we hear you in the chimes we have hung. Who could be so heartless to harm a child of eleven when Jesus’ hand caressed you to Heaven? Until we meet again, in my heart is where you’ll be my friend. This poem can’t begin to express the feelings we all feel. We love you so much and we miss you too. But even though you are gone, we know that one day we’ll each get our chance to meet you at the golden gates. And after they are opened, we can spend eternity as friends. — In loving memory, Justin Frady
NEXT UP: What happened to Levi Frady?
Click here to read the next news post: “Revisiting Levi’s Last Day”
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Tommy parish is the one who killed Levi Frady
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How do you know this?
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I use to have vivid dreams about this kid, grey Toyota pick up truck plate # VA23 something
Anyways that time I was very young refugee from Somalia struggling with ptsd
I told my relatives I was hearing kid Levy Freddy crying. But they said I was crazy. Till this day I think about him. I hope his killer is found.
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I am hoping that the killer will be caught, but how did you know information about levi crying
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When i was much younger i used to have dreams about things, but adults in my did not believe me me because i was struggling with trauma related to ACE, war, and child abuse. I was also very new to Ameri then and did not speak much of English. I think about this kid a lot and just recently started googling his name and i came across this page.
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Ralph turner
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What about Ralph Turner? Who is he and what does he have to do with this case?
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He is more than likely the man that did this. Im trying to decide what to do because he has very violent family. There is alot to this that was never brought up
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Well right here and now is the place to tell it. Unless you are like everyone else who claims they “know something” then it turns out to be something you heard your cousins best friends uncles wife say. If there is any truth to what you say you know then say it.
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I am wondering if there has been any connection or further investing in this case to the Jacob Wetterling case. The two cases are strikingly similar. Both teenage boys. Both riding bikes. Both abducted and murdered. Both disappeared on the same day but years apart (what’s called an anniversary event in the crime world). The boys even look similar. It may just be a disturbing coincidence but after reading more about the Wetterling case, it seemed too similar not to mention.
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The person responsible for the murder should have his dick cut off like they did levi
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Who tf told you Levi got his dick cut off? Stop spreading dumb shit… unless of course you were there and saw it happen… then please… go on.
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I pray that even though everyone got paid to keep their mouth shut that this terrible crime against an innocent child gets resolved and the person who killed levi goes to jail
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I am Best friend’s with his Sister’s Daughter
His sister is named Laci Frady, and her son Seoul Levi Watley
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Maybe keep their personal information off of here?
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I heard who ever killed levi is now in jail charged with another crime
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Ralph turner. ?
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What is their name?
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Levi s death will never be solved.Every body got paid to keep their mouth shut. It was drug related and somebody woud not pay the drug dealer so the drug dealer told her they would kill her kid if she didnt oay up and she said take levi she was a sorryass mother who knew her son was going to be murdered and done nothing about it
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I must say it was hard to find your site in search results.
You write interesting articles but you should rank your blog
higher in search engines. If you don’t know 2017 seo techniues search on youtube:
how to rank a website Marcel’s way
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So… where are we now with this investigation ? Shame on anyone covering this murder up. Shame on anyone with information who is not screaming it from the rooftops. This beautiful angel deserves better then a bunch of cowards.
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was there DNA evidence recovered in this case? does anyone know?
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This should have been solved almost 20 years ago. At that time a very capable sheriff of Forsyth Co. was trying hard to bring Levi’s killer to justice just to be shut down by the GBI after being told it was out of his jurisdiction and stop his investigation or face jail. A potential witness contacted GBI to give a statement and was totally ignored. This makes me wonder how deep the corruption goes, who all may have been involved and may still be covering for the person or persons involved. I too have poked around asking questions for some time and won’t stop until Levi’s killer or killers are brought to justice.
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Denny was a drug dealer, not honest. I bought a gun from him he got from a traffic stop.
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This story must be solved. If you know anything that could help solve this case please speak out now is the time.
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Where are the posts you promised? If you have been working on this full time since 2015 it seems like there would be some more information online by now.
And to the people complaining that she doesn’t have the family’s permission to create this website: She doesn’t have to. As raw as this may still be to a lot of you, the victim in this case was Levi. Once he was murdered you lost the say-so over what could be published about him. I’m not trying to stir up emotions, just letting you know how it is. Who knows, maybe if the author ever follows through she can get it in front of a crowd-sourced investigative group.
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Disregard the snarky comment about the lack of information, I just realized there are more pages but you aren’t providing links to them.
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This crime will never be solved.Every one involved has been paid to keep their mouth shut including elected officials in the white house A very large drug ring indeed
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This comment is very true
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He was a very handsome boy but someone knows what happened they just don’t want to admit it very sad his life was taken away at that age rip Levi
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In the first paragraph of this blog it states that it will be, “providing the community, the family and the nation with factual information taken from published news reports – and first time unpublished one -on- one interviews with family members, retired or former law enforcement, an eyewitness who discovered the boy’s body, videotaped interviews of suspects, family photographs, maps, family history, and expert opinions.” Out of all I thought I was going to read all I read was a precious interview with his nanny and a precious poem from his wonderful cousin, and his granddads obit. I have read all the comments too, it would be my guess that the cops know all of it. I think instead of coming on this blog and pointing fingers I think we need to find out which cop is investigating this and set a fire under their ass.
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I have read and watched the other things on LEVIFRADY.COM, and yet have I seen any evidence or confessions or anything to lead to the person or people who murdered Levi!!!
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The lies will sink to the bottom and the truth will float to the top. Milton is an amazing man and all of the lies said about him are by known scorned trashy bitter women whom he did not want to be associated with. As Justin said explain all the drunken begging love me calls to such a awful man. Lies from attention seekers on a murdered child’s information page. People like these are why this world is a sad scary place. Milton you are wonderful, we all know you and your kind heart.
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WHO GOES TO SLEEP WHEN THEIR 11 YEAR OLD SON IS MISSING? WHO WAITS UNTIL THE NEXT DAY TO ALERT POLICE? WHO LIES TO THE FATHER OF THEIR MISSING CHILD SAYING HE IS IN THE SHOWER? MILTON FRADY IS A WONDERFUL MAN. A LOVING FATHER AND FAMILY MAN. HAD LEVI GONE MISSING FROM HIS CARE- BELIEVE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED IMMEDIATELY, HE WAS LIED TO, HAD HIS NAME SLANDERED, AND TREATED LIKE A DOG FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE INVESTIGATION. YOU DO NOT GO TO SLEEP WHEN YOUR 11 YEAR OLD SON IS MISSING. YOU DO NOT ASSUME HE IS SPENDING THE NIGHT SOMEWHERE ELSE, YOU CALL THE POLICE THE MOMENT YOUR CHILD’S WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN. YOU NOTIFY THE AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS THE FATHER AND PATERNAL FAMILY. NOTE, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY MILTON FRADY HAS COMPLIED WITH THE INVESTIGATION AND HAS LOST HIS ONLY SON. HE HAS LOST ENOUGH, HURT ENOUGH AND BEEN SLANDERED ENOUGH. LEVI WAS NOT IN HIS CARE WHEN HE WENT MISSING AND WHEN HE CALLED TO CHECK ON HIS CHILDREN HE WAS LIED TO THE MORNING AFTER. WHY LIE TO THE CHILDS FATHER THAT HE IS SHOWERING? WHO TOUCHED THAT BICYCLE? WHO WIPED IT CLEAN? THE ANSWERS ARE OUT THERE AND THIS BLOG WHETHER IT HURT’S OR OPENS OLD WOUNDS WILL HAVE PEOPLE TALKING. THE TRUTH LIES IN MANY HEARTS, WILL THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTHS AND LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN…….. ONLY TIME WILL TELL. LEVI IS RESTING NOW. HE IS WITH HIS PAPA AND HE IS WATCHING. I BELIEVE HE WOULD NOT WANT TO BE SILENCED. JUSTICE DOES NOT COME FROM SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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People do talk and they have been talking a really long time. The police need to investigate the meth heads around that area. I don’t want to hurt or disrespect any family member. I don’t know them. I know what I heard about 16 years ago.
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Like Michael Chandler
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It’s doesn’t seem like it’s been 19yrs but at the same time an eternity I still pray for them to find who did this and I pray for peace and comfort for his family and friends
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You all should be ashamed of yourselves! This venue is not intended for you to voice your negative opinions about the Fradys. After reading these comment some of you reveal how uneducated you are, the lack of Biblical knowledge, and spuing with ignorance.
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Just wondering exactly what you thought would happen after posting this?
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looking forward to the next post
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Shiann frady killed Levi he confessed to my sister he will get what’s coming to him Levi I love u.
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Has your sister spoke with the police? I sure hope she isn’t keeping that information to herself… And you.
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Shyann Frady is not related to Levi Frady ….. Totally different Fradys
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that is exactly what i heard to except i heard ralph turner ordered him to over drugs
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One witness involved is already dead and the other one responsible is old as fuck
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It’s always hard and difficult anytime someone is killed mysteriously, much less a child of GOD. There is a person who does know…GOD and he will take care of that person or persons who committed this act…and may have already done it…
That person could be dead as we speak.
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Have yall seen the murder suspect sketches? Sure looks EXACTLY like one of the Frady family members to me and many ppl ive shown it to names him before i tell em what the sketch is for!!!
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Which Frady member do you think it looks like?
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Possibly cheyenne s daddy was involved as a lookout
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Looks like cheyenne s father. That old man that drives around in them antique cars
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If anyone feels that you know something about this case… Please have some facts handy rather than empty rambling…
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Sad,I hope they find who did this prayers to family
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My daughter went 2 school @ daycare with Laci @Levi.I know Milton personally @ haven’t spoke 2 him in over 7 yrs.I’ve heard lots of stories. None which I know the truth. I was in a romantic situation with Milton. I thought.In my whole life he was the most abusive man I ever knew in a lifetime. He did not want me @didnt want anyone else 2 have me either. He bit my lips…@ lleft me with bites all over me.He left me marked me every time I was with him in bruises burnt mark. It took years 4 me 2 c this was not luv. He also took my money. My sanity. Tried 2 posess my Saab. @ stick with some run down old truck that I gave him a$1000.00 dollars 4. Without me even seeing it. Thank God I came 2 my senses. If that’s love I will do without. My family @ friends @ my employer got tired of seeing my face with burns bites @ bruises. He has some serious mental problems. Thank God I’m free of him. He is a sick sick individual.
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Lies ,all lies ! Shame on you! May god have mercy on your soul.
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Susan Spence who are you kidding? You want to explain how my grandparents house phone would ring off the hook with your name on the caller ID in all hours of the night? Their answering machine full of messages with your drunken rambling? You ought to be ashamed of yourself to come on this page trying to slander your way into feeling better about yourself. If Milton was so bad why on Earth would you continue to call and call and call and beg for him to come to your house? Why would you plead in messages for the whole house to hear crying asking why he wouldn’t marry you? It’s pathetic you feel the need to bring your scandelous lies to this page. Just pathetic
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Amen! Looks like some people are so desperate they’ll do anything for attention ! I am literally disgusted right now!!!
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REALLY CRAZY LYNN
SOUNDS TO ME THAT YOU GOT YOUR
FRADYS CONFUSED!!!! MILTON ISNT THE ONE YOU TOLD
ME WAS DOING ALL THAT SHIT TO YOU.
YOU NEED TO DELETE THIS, AND THINK ABOUT IT SOMEMORE!!!
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So crazy lyn… Are you saying that because this happen your the one who killed Levi. Is this a confession from you. Maybe you do kind of look like one those men in the sketches
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I have a hard time believing all this since I have known Milton for about 23 years and he has been nothing but a loving father and grandfather. Also , if your insinuating he was involved, that is impossible. He was at work with my husband and an entire crew the day he went missing.
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Did you ever file police reports to back up your accusations?
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Even though they never found who murdered Levi Frady they want really get a chance. Of them going to jail but will pay when they pass away and they meet the. Big guy at the golden gate which he will never be able. To pass thru he will be going to hell for. What he did so he will suffer for ever and ever.
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Have you asked ANY of the members of the Fradys if it was okay if did this? This is completely disrespectful and none of your business. Not to mention a very sensitive time for them, even after 19 years. Have some decency and take this down..
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Laci just posted a couple weeks ago how it hurts her to see these things about her brother and I’m friends with her on facebook, so out of respect to her and levi’s family I will not be posting this. But at the same time I feel its good not to let it go completely because it means he’s not forgotten and maybe someday this will be solved.
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Laci just posted a couple weeks ago how it hurts her to see these things about her brother and I’m friends with her on facebook, so out of respect to her and levi’s family I will not be posting this. But at the same time I feel its good not to let it go completely because it means he’s not forgotten and maybe someday this will be solved.
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YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS DAMN THING DOWN NOW! STOP WRITING THIS! You’re doing nothing but hurting the family! You didn’t even ask their permission or their blessing to do this!
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Hurting the family??? It hurts the family to know someone is fighting to find the truth. There are no pictures or anything disrespectful. Maybe it hurts the family because they know the truth? I mean no other reason other then to hide stuff. Maybe some want to leave the secrets buried with the dead, however this boy deserves a voice.
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I think Frances Chung needs to keep her assumptions to herself! I cannot begin to imagine the heartache Levi’s family must feel still to this day. Im sure people making comments like that just make that pain greater. I was in the same classes as Laci and Levi, although I did not know them very well, I will always have that sorrow in my heart for the Frady family. Laci, I have wanted to tell you for a long time that you are an inspiringly strong woman and I wish I could take away the pain from people saying hurtful things to you about your beloved brother.
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This still to this day breaks my heart it’s so sad how this child had a great life with loving family and it was took from him how in the world could anyone do this to any child I hope to God they find the sicko who did this So this young man can rest in peace
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Who is the author of this blog?
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Laci it’s a woman named Kimberly Biom I believe.
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Her name is dight on there. Kimberly Biom.
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I believe Levi Frady was killed in retribution for a drug debt by someone in his family.
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Are you freakin kidding me?
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100,000 grand. That’s a lot of money to owe for meth.
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What would make you believe that? Do you know Levi’s family? If you have information from a reliable source (Not your cousins best friends dogs neighboring cat) I’d sure like to know.
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My husband is a 4th cousins with the fradys. He also was in school with levi the day before. He told me the same thing his family didn’t say anything because of fear something happening to their kids as well. My take on it is that the mom has something to do with it. What good mom would go to bed with her child not home. And if she thought he was at a friends place she should have called his friends parents or drove to check it out. What mom shows no response seeing her missing by child’s bike? Seems shady and it seems very covered up. I pray to God this poor boy gets justice in my lifetime.
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I believe that you are exactly right
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I believe that you are probably right!
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Praying for the family and for justice for Levi!
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I want to know more.
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I’m just wondering if you’ve asked for the family’s permission or blessing before doing this….
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I think she got permission from Levi’s grandmother
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