Family of Carver grad found dead at hotel frustrated with no-snitch culture

Four days after a couple was found dead Friday night in a Columbus hotel, the 21-year-old woman’s godfather is relying on his faith in God to cope with her death.

“You see young people go at a young age all the time,” said Keith Jackson, who is also the second cousin of 21-year-old Kelsey Marshall. “But when it hits so close, you just have to know that He knows what He’s doing.”

Marshall and 23-year-old Damian Antwonne Belle were found dead around 6:30 p.m. Friday in a hotel room at the Efficiency Lodge of Columbus on Boxwood Place. They were living there together, according to Columbus police.

In March 2014, Belle was charged with first-degree child cruelty and murder in connection with the death of a 23-month-old girl. The child died at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta after she was airlifted with a head injury from Columbus.

Jackson said he went through a range of emotions when he learned that his goddaughter had been killed. He said he envisioned her face moments later, which he said gave him all the closure he needed.

“Instantly, Kelsey’s smile appeared in my vision,” he said. “After that it was just a little bit of numbness.”

Jackson said Marshall had a passion for singing and loved going to church.

“She was always lending a helping hand, because she was definitely her mother’s girl,” Jackson said. “Her and her mom were pretty much best friends.”

She was known to bring smiles to people’s faces, including her twin brother, Kendall, and 15-year-old brother, Korey. She graduated from Carver High School with dreams of pursing a career in the medical field, so she could continue to help people.

“Kids just naturally attached themselves to her and she took care of them,” Jackson said. “I always thought Kelsey would own a day care or something, even without going to school.”

Authorities are still investigating the shooting that took away Marshall’s opportunity to make that dream a reality.

Columbus police Lt. Greg Touchberry said several people heard gunshots in the area on Thursday, but no one reported it to authorities. No arrests have been made.

Touchberry said some witnesses aren’t willing to cooperate with police, which has frustrated Marshall’s family. They want anyone who has information to come forward.

“That hurts me more than the event, if you will, knowing that people have to go on with that in their minds and their hearts,” Jackson said. “You’re almost as bad as the person who pulled the trigger.”

This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 7:30 PM with the headline "Family of Carver grad found dead at hotel frustrated with no-snitch culture."