(Photo : National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
Jaylen Griffin, 12, was reported missing from his Buffalo, New York home in August 2020.
The family of Jaylen Griffin – the 12-year-old New York boy who disappeared on his way to a neighborhood corner store – are committed to finding the killer or killers responsible for the boy's death, following the startling discovery of his decomposed remains tucked away in a stranger's attic.
For nearly four years, police classified Jaylen as a runaway – until April 12, when a maintenance worker servicing a rental property five miles from where Jaylen vanished in Buffalo, New York, found his body. Since then, police have transitioned Jaylen's case to a homicide investigation.
The BPD has not responded to several requests for comment from Headlines & Global News.
"It's been a long journey and I got what I was looking for... confirmation," Jaylen's father Brian Griffin said during a Monday vigil marking Jaylen's 16th birthday, NY1 reported.
"He's not here physically, but he's here spiritually," Shirley Banks, Jaylen's grandmother, said. "We want to say 'Happy Birthday,' and we want to celebrate his life."
"We called him meatball because he was round," she added. "Meatball, drippin' sauce. That was his nickname."
Jaylen was on his way to a corner store Aug. 4, 2020, presumably during a quick video game break to grab snacks, loved ones previously told HNGN. It was out of character for the preteen – described as a homebody who loved his mom and dad fiercely – to be gone too long from the comfort of his family home, and he was quickly reported missing.
Years passed with no answers as to Jaylen's whereabouts.
Now, family and friends reminisce on the short, treasured time they spent with the boy, as they vow to find his murderer.
"Who killed Jalen Griffin? No justice, no peace," longtime family friend Pastor Tim Newkirk told the outlet.
The investigation continues. Authorities previously said determination of a cause of death could take months given his decomposed state. Meantime, Crime Stoppers is offering a $7500 reward to anyone with information on Jaylen's slaying.
