A Chicago family is shattered after 41-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker Carolyn Jones was found strangled inside her Greater Grand Crossing home on Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.
Carolyn Jones, 41, died Nov. 26 of strangulation at her home in the 6800 block of South Calumet Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
As of Monday afternoon, police had not yet announced charges, though Jones’ estranged husband — who she had recently put out of her home — is currently in custody (Chicago Sun-Times ).
A Thanksgiving autopsy ruled her death a homicide.
Family members say Carolyn was a loving mother, a dedicated postal worker, and a woman whose generosity impacted everyone around her.
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO & SCENE DETAILS
According to a Chicago police report obtained by the Sun-Times, surveillance video captured the suspect entering and leaving Jones’ building multiple times in the early morning hours. In one clip, he was seen carrying bags to his car.
Around 5:45 a.m., Carolyn’s son arrived home from work, smelled gas, and saw a lit candle with a towel shoved under a rear door. Shortly after, the suspect returned inside and told him that Carolyn was unresponsive.
The son helped carry his mother to the suspect’s vehicle before she was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
“SHE HAD A HEART OF GOLD” — FAMILY REMEMBERS CAROLYN
Carolyn’s older sister, Renee McDonald, told the Chicago Sun-Times:
“She had a heart of gold… She didn’t deserve that.”
Her uncle, Sean Lanier, said:
“She was the go-to for the family… one of the biggest hearts you’ll ever meet.”
THE HUSBAND POSTS ONLINE: “ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME KNOWS I WOULDN’T THINK OF HARMING HER”
Amid rumors and accusations circulating online, the suspect posted a lengthy Facebook message defending himself.
“Her sons are the ones that dressed her, put her in the back of my truck, and I drove her to the hospital… Anyone that knows me knows I wouldn’t think of harming her.”
He also told the public to review Ring footage and said he left the state because of threats.
THE SON’S HEARTBREAKING RESPONSE GOES VIRAL
Carolyn’s son, who found his mother unresponsive and has been publicly grieving online, shared several emotional posts calling for justice and remembering who his mother truly was.
“My Ma was the sweetest person ever.”
In one post, he wrote:
“My Ma was the sweetest person ever. Always helped when needed, always giving, always planning… She was just always positive energy to be around.”
He described the pain of discovering his mother’s death after returning home from work:
“I come home from work at 5:30am and niggas just so called find my ma deceased… This is a perfectly fine woman. Beautiful, no health problems, no nothing!”
“He robbed me for my whole heart.”
The son accused the suspect of destroying their future:
“This nigga robbed me. Robbed me for my future with my ma… robbed me for my accomplishments… he robbed me for my whole heart.”
“You can’t run from this.”
In another post aimed directly at the suspect, he wrote:
“You can’t run from this shit, foe! You think you can do this to a sweet woman like herself and live life like it’s cool? Hell naw.”
He also reacted to reports that the suspect injured himself after being taken into custody:
“Tryna scar yo self inna police station… you weak as hell fam.”
“Carolyn Jones, mother — I will always cherish the moments we had.”
He ended one of his posts with a tribute to his mother:
“Carolyn Jones, mother, I will always love and cherish the moments we had with each other. My mom, my role model, my healthcare provider, my everything.”
And finally:
“Thank you for all the prayers… at this moment right na doe, how about we pray we catch this heartless, goofy, impulsive liar… one way or the other.”
— King
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The suspect told police he fled Illinois for Memphis because he feared retaliation. He has since been taken into custody, and detectives with Area 1 are continuing their investigation.
Carolyn Jones leaves behind her sons, her family, and a community mourning a woman loved deeply and remembered for her compassion, strength, and generosity.
