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DETROIT (FOX 2) - After Jessica Williams Stough's child, Kelly Stough, who was transgender, was killed in Detroit, she has been spreading the message that every life has meaning.
"You keep fighting, keep pushing and live your life," she said. "Don't let the world dictate how you should live."
Kelly was born a boy and endured a lot during that time, his mother said.
"He was always a happy kid but bullied because of his tendencies," Stough said.
In college, Kelly took a college football scholarship to South Dakota, but later changed course.
"He came back and we talked about it," she said. "And he really liked fashion and wanted to be a buyer and designer."
It was then, mom says, that her child embraced life as a transgender person.
On Dec. 7 police say Stough's path crossed with Albert Weathers. Stough was found shot to death on E. McNichols and Brush Street during the early morning hours. Weathers, a Detroit pastor, was arrested for the murder.
No one answered the door at the pastor's home in Sterling Heights when FOX 2 was there Tuesday evening, and no calls were returned from a former church in Warren where he was listed as a pastor from 1997 to 1999. While we wait for answers as to why this 36-year-old was killed, the victim's mother says now is the time for support.
"Be there for them, that's the most important part." she said. "If it's okay at home it's easier for them to cope outside of home."
A GoFundMe page has been created to help pay for the funeral expenses. CLICK HERE to donate.
Pastor Weathers is in a Detroit jail locked up on a $1 million bond for first-degree murder. He is expected back in court later this month.