FOR ALL OF YOU WHO FOLLOW THIS WEBSITE I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME RECENT PICTURES OF MATT'S DAUGHTER MATTI, SHE GETS MORE LIKE HIM EVERYDAY SHE IS CERTAINLY A GOD SEND FOR US.


This was Matti at Halloween 2007 her daddy sure would have eat her up.  She is growing so fast an getting more like him.

Matti's Aunts and Uncles love her and they all look after her just like their own.


MATTI VISITS HER DADDY REGULARLY AND SHE KNOWS WHO HE IS EVEN THOUGH SHE NEVER GOT TO MEET HIM.

IT BREAKS YOUR HEART THOUGH WHEN SHE LEANS DOWN TO KISS HIM AND PATS HIS PICTURE CALLING DADDY!  HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SO PROUD OF THIS LITTLE GIRL!

YEP SHE HAS THAT CHIN, THAT HEAD AND EVERYTHING ELSE JUST LIKE HIM ISN'T SHE PRECIOUS!  LOOKING INTO HER EYES IS JUST LIKE LOOKING INTO MATT'S!

YOU JUST DON'T GET MUCH CUTER THAN THIS BUT YEAH WE THINK SHE'S SPECIAL!

They Murdered You and Took Away Your Dreams But They Can Never Take Our Memories

We will always remember the smile, the laughter, the joy and the impact that you brought to our hearts if only for a short while.

CLICK TO VOTE
http://usa.ultimatetopsites.com/bin/topsite.cgi?teenangels&cat=general&ID=212



In Honor Of Matt

Seeing his picture and that beautiful smile
Hard to believe he’s walked his last mile.
But that’s his steps down here on earth
Now he walks in the year of his rebirth.
He was taken away and went up above
Still sees us all, can feel all our love.
Taken away by a senseless crime
Those thugs souls aren’t worth a dime.
Looking at him one thing they did not take;
That wonderful smile God did not forsake.
Just took him from us so very young;
In all of our minds his picture is hung.
Live your new life Matt and save that big smile;
We will all see ya soon when we walk our last mile.

Written by Jeff Eisen in honor of William Matthew Jones untimely passing, Jeff this will always be special to Matt's family thank you!


This website is dedicated to our beloved son William Matthew "Matt" Jones who was born in Raleigh, NC on December 30, 1985 and was brutally murdered on November 6, 2005.  We hope by reading this site you will understand the road we have traveled and the wonderful young man who touched our lives if only for a short time.  

This was our family picture taken 2 weeks before when we were all happy and whole.  No one would have ever imagined the tragedy we were getting ready to endure in our lives.



To begin we will start at the beginning.  Matt was the cutest little blonde headed baby.  He was always happy, mischieveous and the apple of his moms eye.  He had an older sister Leigh and a brother Rick.  When Matt was 2 he became the big brother to Brittaney who he was so proud of at first.  As they grew into children they argued and fussed like all brothers and sisters but always looked out for each other.  As the years passed and Leigh and Ricky got older and married and had lives of their own Matt and Brittaney grew to be best friends.  Brittaney loved and counted on her big brother.  Matt was so proud of his little sister and protected her every step of the way.  They would each be riding around in their cars and pass each other they would always tap their brake lights to let the other one know I love you.  Matt would meet Brittaney at the store down the street from the school every afternoon before she went to cheerleading practice just to tell her he loved her.





This is the four children.  Rick, Matt, Brittaney and Leigh.  This picture was made 2 and a half weeks before the murder. The four of them made a whole and since that fateful night there is a void in their lives that can never be replaced.



Matt had a best friend in his Mom.  One he always trusted and told way more than she needed to know about.  He was the prankster always keeping something going and just when his mom would be about to pull her hair out Matt would look at her and say I love you mom and what could you do?  He always had a smile and a joke to tell you.  He was the laughter that held us all together.  He was the man of the house, Mom and his sister Brittaney's protector.  Since the murder our world has changed forever.


He never got to big to sit in Mom's lap or to give her a great big kiss no matter who was watching.





When Matt and I would say I love you he would always say he loved me more and then I would say I love you more.  I miss those days so much.

He was a loving young man. Never too old to get in Moms lap but he did get too big. Matt was 6'5" and 205 lbs when he passed away. Matt always told his mom and everyone else how much he loved them. There was no doubt in his mind we all loved him and there is no doubt in ours he loved us. He would never stay away from home more than 2 days without coming home to see Mom. He always called his self the Favorite. He had his problems with people from time to time but he usually made them into a friend and unfortunately that loving and trusting heart is what got him killed. 





This was written to me by one of Matt's friends this is the type of person he was and shows the memories he left with them:

Hey Mama Jane, I thought about something this morning, thought I'd share.

Once when Matt and I were riding around, me and my mom got into it on the phone and I had a few choice words, then hung up. Matt told me that I should never end things like that with my mom because if something happened to us, that'd be the last memory she had of me. I was like "Well you always squall tires out of the driveway and yell when you and your mom argue." He said, "Yeah, but I always come back and tell her I love her, don't never leave things bad, she loves you, she's your biggest supporter and you need to tell her you love her."

He pulled off the road and sat there and made me call my mom back and tell her I was sorry and that I loved her. At the time, I felt like a 4 year old, but looking back, I realize that's just the way Matt was. You and him had a solid bond and he loved you so much. Y'all didn't always get along but he always made sure you knew he loved you.
Submitted by: Matt's friend Ricky Marositz 





   
     
Matt was the greatest uncle of all to six wonderful nieces and nephews. Matt always took the time to play with them, They never came to the house that Mom didn't call Matt and he always came home and played with them. They were the apples of his eye and he showed them everytime he got the chance. They miss their Uncle Matt and since Matt's murder he has had a new one come along that was named in his memory.

Matt had a new nephew that never got to meet. He was born September 12, 2006. He was Matt's namesake and born to his brother Rick. On December 5, 2006 Lil Matthew passed away of SIDS and we know he is in heaven now and being taken care of by his Uncle Matt. To view his website please go to:

http://www.matthew-jordan.memory-of.com 


Matt was like most teenage boys he loved his car.  He loved fixing it up with rims, his system, mufflers and whatever made it look hot. Mom and everyone else could hear him coming long before you could ever see him with the music bass blaring.  Matt washed his car everyday and it always had to have 10 coats of wax on it.  He believed in riding with it clean.  Alot of times when Matt wanted to think or just be by his self he would ride.   The proof of that is Matt got this car on July 4, 2004 and it had 352 miles on it when he died 16 months later it had over 68,000 miles on it and he never hardly left our hometown.  His car and all his personal belongings are still being held by the Harnett County Sheriffs Department and we can not get it back until all the trials are over.


The interior stayed as clean as the outside


Growing up Matt started concentrating on other things than his car and thats when he met his future.

Matt had met a young lady Erica.  Erica became the love of his life.  The one he wanted to marry and have a family with.  He had talked with his Mom and he had told her Erica would always be in his life.  Erica had a daughter already who was 7 named Reagan.  Reagan instantly took a liking to Matt and soon they became best buddies.  Matt would do her homework with her, give her nightly baths when Erica worked, straightened her hair and always made sure she was dressed to a tee before he would take her out.  When they would ride he often put Erica in the back seat and let Reagan ride upfront with him.  In August 2005 Erica discovered that she was expecting a baby.  Matt was thrilled as he had wanted a child.  This is the life Matt wanted and is the way it should have been.  Reagan and Erica's hearts break and always will in the memory of what should have been.  Matti will never know the father who had felt her move inside her mother the night before he was killed and was so thrilled.


Special Thanks to Quinn for creating this picture so a little girl would have a picture with her Daddy.

On November 6, 2005 we had a family reunion we all went to.  It was a beautiful day when we thought everything was right in the world.  Matt and Erica had riden with his sister Brittaney and her boyfriend Billy and that was odd because Matt always drove wherever he went.  Matt was in the best mood and unlike years pass he wanted to stay and look at pictures and read the past minutes.  He was so interested in everything going on.  He was one of the last ones to leave with his Mom and Grandma.  He came by his grandma's house because his grandfather had not felt good and didn't go to the reunion and he wanted to check on him.  As usual Matt hugged everyone and told them he loved them and he left.  Little did we know it would be for the last time.
This picture was made that day 4 hours before the murder


Also while we were at the reunion and spending the day as a family little did we know there were conversations going on between the so called friend of Matts and two guys we had never heard of. Two thugs Mike Hill and Shawn Tatum from Fayetteville, NC came to our little town of Erwin loaded with a 9mm gloc handgun and met up with the so called friend.  One of Matt's friends who was one of the ones he use to have problems with and then became his friend set him up to be murdered over some drug money that he, (the friend owed).  Our beloved Matt received a phone call to meet the guy from Fayetteville who he had been introduced to by his so called friend.  Matt had no reason to think their was a problem with this guy he had not done anything to him.  If Matt had ever thought there was a problem he would have NEVER gone to that road alone.  When Matt got there and got out of his car no one asked any questions shots started from Mike Hill's gun and he shot Matt 15 times.  His heart, lung, liver, kidneys, brain, esphogus, several ribs, right femur, right elbow and a piece of his left ear were missing in a matter of 45 seconds.  According to the state medical examiner my son would have died from internal bleeding within 30 - 60 seconds however when the shot went through his brain it was immediate death.  Matt had run towards some houses before that shot ever came.  When he was down from the shot to the brain this heartless, cruel animal shot him 4 times in the back to make sure he was dead and drove off.





This is the place Matt fell and died.  This is his blood this picture was taken the next day November 7, 2005.

This is the same sight one year later.  The grass has grown up all around except the place where Matt was laying.  Photo Sunday November 5, 2006.





No One Except a mother who has experienced the loss of her child will ever know the pain that I deal with everyday.  On November 6, 2005 I was handed a life sentence the murderers deserve no less.

This is the autopsy report that shows the gunshots my son endured the night of the murder while he was trying to run for help.



We will see Matt again one day and the reason for that is

Matt made the most important decision of his life at the age of 16. He asked the Lord to come into his life and save him. He was baptized at Piney Grove Chapel Church and we have no doubt now that Matt is in heaven watching over us all. 



What a relief to know that we will see Matt on the other side one day where there is no evil. 





This is reality.  My son shot, killed, gone forever, taken by the decision of two thugs, taken from his mother, his siblings, his nieces and nephews, his grandparents, his fiancee and his friends.  No choices, no chance to say goodbye, no chance to say I love you one more time just gone forever.

The last thing you buy your son should never be a coffin and a tombstone






A message to all who are reading this tragic event in our lives we would like to tell you that the ONLY way to get through this is by the grace of God.  Without him we are nothing.  
 
BUT EVEN WHEN OUR WORLD SEEMED SO DARK AND LOST A NEW LIFE BEGAN.................



On April 13, 2006 a piece of Matt came back to us in this world.  His daughter Mattison Kayleigh Jones.  She weighed 8 lbs. 7.3 ounces.  It was a day her father had looked forward too and should have been there for.  Not only did evil take away a loving son, brother and uncle now a dad was included in that.



Matti is growing into the spitting image of her father. Her looks are just like him and her personality is turning out to be his too. She is always the happiest baby and will go to anyone. Trusting just like her father. She has lots of family and friends of her fathers that will tell her how wonderful her daddy was.

DADDYS LITTLE GIRL HE NEVER KNEW 




Matti - 6 months old looks just like her Daddy
Matt never got the chance to see Matti but was so excited about her coming. She definately would have been the apple of his eye



HOW WE WISH SHE COULD HAVE KISSED YOU LIKE THIS!
Thanks Quinn



Matti at 9 months old.  Her daddy would be so proud of her and she definately would have had him wrapped around her little finger.  She is the spitting image of him and has his personality.  We thank God that he has given us a piece of Matt so much like him to share.  Even though she can not replace her Daddy she has certainly made it easier for us.  She is truly the one that has lost more than she could imagine.



Matti we feel sure is talked to by her Daddy.  You may think that is strange however there have been things since Matti was born that she has done that are unexplainable.  She has giggled when she was asleep since she came home from the hospital.  She will look at the ceiling and move her head like she is following something, she always looks up at the sky, she reaches for things in the air when there is nothing there the only explanation would be she sees her Daddy.  Matti had never heard his voice except when Erica was pregnant and Matt use to talk to her stomach.  The first time I played this website with Matt's voicemail on it Matti went crazy, crawling to the computer and patting it saying Da-Da.....she will actually wake up if she hears it playing.  Here are some pictures of Matti when she looks at her Dad's website.





Matt's sister Brittaney and her fiancee Billy have devoted a lot of time with Matti.  There is no doubt Matti love Aunt B and Uncle B with all her heart and they do her.  Matt would be so proud of his baby sister to know what an influence she is making in Matti's life.





Thanks Quinn for this one..

It has now been over two years since our world fell apart and I won't tell you it is any easier than it was then because it's not.  We have been through hell here on earth but we have had an outpouring of love from family and friends as well as Matt's friends that have stuck by our sides and become part of our family.  Everyday we struggle with the loss of Matt, we will always carry him in our hearts because of the love and memories we shared.  We may forgive but we will never forget.


On Sunday November 5, 2006 we had a memorial service for Matt at his gravesite to try and remember his life.  What a blessing to his family to hear the stories of all who were there.  The one thing all of them ended with was there will never be another one like Matt.  He was always happy and joking and loved life.  He was always a friend you could count on and how they have realized they are so few and far between.  What a legacy our son has left.  I am so proud to have been his Mom because somewhere along the way I did something right.  Below are the pictures of the 1st anniversary memorial.

These are the boys that Matt knew as his friends.  The ones that have remained loyal and true to our family and check on us daily to make sure we are okay.

This is the extended family Matt has brought into our lives that all call me Momma Jane along with Matt's brother and sisters.  These kids have hurt just like we have hurt and there is never a day that they don't think of Matt.

This is Matt's daughter Matti now almost 7 months old.  She knows who her dad is from pictures but how sad she couldn't feel his big strong arms around her.

This is the crowd preparing for the balloon release for you.

What a beautiful site when they were going up to you.  We chose pink and black because they were Matt's favorite.

These are the flowers we had placed in our church that morning and then took to the cemetary for Matt.  They were from Mom, Brittaney, Leigh, Rick ,Erica, Reagan and Matti

You will never be forgotten with all the cars with these stickers on them.



Thank you to all the ones that have stayed by us, who have prayed for us, brought food, sent cards, read this website everyday, made graphics for this website, followed our lives and remembered Matt we are forever thankful.  You are our angels here on earth sent to help a family pull their way out of this hell.  We love you all near and far.
Jane, Rick, Leigh, Brittaney, Erica and Matti

This poem was written from another mother of a murdered child it is what we go through everyday.

We are the Mothers of Murdered Children,
We are their Voices, speaking out for them,
We are crying out in pain for all to hear us,
As we want "Justice," to vail through out the world for victims,and
their families everywhere.. ........

Oh! how precious our children's lives were to us,
Oh! how we adored these daughters/son' s
They were young, bright children, with their whole futures just
ahead of them,
But it wasn't meant to be --because of selfish,evil, cold-blooded
killers that were on the streets on the prowl to hurt innocent ones that night,

Our beloved daughters/son' s are gone from this earth,forever,
We as they Mothers, are left behind to be there "Voices,"
Fighting to right the wrong done to them,
Oh! how we fight with community agencies, tv' s and newpapers
reporters, and the red tape that we go thru with the govt........ and
so forth,

Our child; life was cut down, we are striving forward to make
rights out of the wrongs...... ...
We scream out in pain,
We scream out our child's name to be heard,
We want new laws, we want "Justice," for our children's lives that
were taken away from us, thru murder...... ....

Someday, maybe the laws will be changed to protect the
Innocenct ones instead of protecting the Guilty Ones,
until that day,we as parents must keep voicing our opinions, to
change these old laws to bring new reforms laws.....
So that our beloved children, did not die in vain!

This is decidated to all the murdered children in
Gp :Feliccity,Mack, Megan Mae, Moniqa
Shyle, Matt, Heather, Denise,Wendy, Daniel,Kriss, Aaron, Kathryn-Mary, if I miss anyone child please, know,that they are in my heart,this evening also........ .....I was just trying to add the names as they were coming to my mind,
As if some of these children names here or not listed here; will
not be forgotten as they are forever loved by their
parents,families/ friends.. ...and shall be forever missed!
My heart goes out to there families/parents/ friends.. ........

Written by Linda S.Morton
copyright@dec27, 06
Linda Morton, Mom-Heather Lynne, Beaten/murdered/ mulilated
04/19/99 






This was read at Matt's memorial and is so true of him.
HIS SMILE

His Smile was his trademark
wherever he went.
A room would brighten
when MATT came in
Cause the first thing you saw, 
would be his grin.

A Son and a brother so precious,
A friend so true.
Whatever he had
He would share it with you!
A thought, a deed, a kind word
for a while
But always, oh always,
he'd share "His smile".

Our hearts are breaking,
our thoughts are going wild.
We've lost our friend,
We've lost our child.

But only for alittle while
I heard Jesus say
I have chosen him
for the Master's Bouquet.

Hand selected by Jesus from
this garden of life,
Gone to heaven, he's through
with this strife.

Why is he gone?
God only knows,
but oh what a treasure
A "smiling rose."

Brandy Johnson

This was the poem I wrote of my thoughts and feelings that night:

It was November 6, 2005

A day where the family had been together all day
No one would ever have expected for it to end in this way.
My daughter calls me and tells me they have found Matt’s car
But they cannot find him and I think surely he can’t be far.
Then she says they have a body out there,
All I can think is a body out where?
I tell my husband the best I can remember of what she has said
And I am convincing myself that Matt can’t be dead.
We take off to the scene not knowing what we will see
It seemed like forever before we could get there to me.
I called his cell phone and it went to his voice mail on the way
Hoping and praying that we would find out he was okay
As we pull up this long dark road I see my daughter in tears
Police cars all around but no one will tell us what we fear.
I stood there thinking this can’t be true
So where is Matt and what did he do?
Thinking he was going to call me on my cell phone
And tell me all this time he was really sitting at home.
I call Raeford and Connie and tell them to come down there
They rushed to the scene and showed us how much they care.
The detective calls us inside this big RV
She asks us what Matt was wearing so she could go see
We told her a white t-shirt with Ecko and jeans was what it would be
She comes back a while later and calls my husband down the hill
She tells him it is Matt who has been shot and killed
They call the rest of the family to the RV
And I can see in my husbands eyes what I don’t want it to be.
She looks at me and tells me it is Matt who has died
It can’t be my son, No Not Matt I cried.
My world fell apart from that moment on
Who would have shot and killed my son while he was all alone.
No answers were known to us at that time
But his daddy had to see him to identify him one last time.
The sight he saw brought him to his knees
How could anyone do this to his son God tell him please.
The house was full of people we loved
But still it was empty because Matt had gone on above.
The love we have been given from that night on
Will never be forgotten until the day we go home.
Three days later we had Matt’s visitation that night,
At 12:15 am the phone rings and they have the killers in custody on site.
They are searching their homes for any evidence and clues
But nothing will ever take away the hurt no matter what they do.
The arrest are made and in jail they remain no bond allowed
It just doesn’t seem just for the life they have taken away from this crowd.
Now we’re in to court appearances, motions and trials
With lawyers and judges who go through the courtroom with smiles.
Defendants who sit at the table and look all around
They forget the pain they caused when I laid my son in the ground,
No justice will ever be served not on this earth
But my father will take care of that when he decides their worth.
As a mother who will never get over losing her son
My heart and soul will ache everyday until my work is done.
But the one good thing I have in my life.
Is a heavenly home where I’ll see Matthew again in the light.
Forever in heaven where only happiness reigns
Is where we’ll be reunited one day again.
Until that day rest in peace my sweet son
Your work on earth here is done
But I still have some things to do
And when its my time I’ll be joining you.
I will love you forever, MOM

To be able to remember Matt we have to remember the smallest things.  This is a list of Matt's favorite sayings and things:

HOLLA AT CHA BOY

Let Me Find Out........
Say Word...................
It's A Wrap...............
Who????Matt Jones
Nigga Please
Crazy driving that would scare you to death
A smile that lit up the room
Always something crazy to say
Racing
Systems
Rims
The E-Brake
That sh-- is HOT!
Look at my lights...
Everyday at the store
Riding through Walmart
The Honda Civic, The SVTS, The Jeep
Riding forever
His love for children
Washing Cars
Pink Shirts
Airforce One
G-Unit
Echo

 NEVER FORGET THE SMALL THINGS

FOR THEY COUNT THE MOST



Its up to us to clean up the streets, it aint the same Too many murders, too many funerals & too many tears Just seen another brother buried plus I knew him for years Passed by his family, but what could I say? Keep yo head up & try to keep the faith & pray for better days
-Tupac

Taken Too Young

But Always in Our Hearts





I would like for you to visit these additional sites that have touched our hearts as these families know our pain and are going through their own pain right now. Please pray for them as you pray for us we have become attached to them through this tragedy.

www.adam-lutz.memory-of.com
Adam was shot and killed in NC in 2006.  Adam had a six month old son named Christopher who will also grow up without his father.  His fiancee Brooke faces the same challenges Erica does.  Adam's case is a lot like Matt's.  They too will be enduring a trial in the future and we pray for justice for Adam just like we do Matt.

www.kevinwengert.memory-of.com
Kevin was 17 when he was stabbed to death in a mall parking lot in PA.  His mother Deb lost her only child.  His killer was 16 and tried as a juvenile and will only serve a year for Kevins death. This is injustice to say the least but the way our sick system works.

www.matt-jones-1977-2006.memory-of.com
This Matt Jones also lived in NC, him and my Matt share the same full name William Matthew Jones, their mothers birthday are very close together and the same age, both of them had namesakes that went to heaven to be with the Matt's in 2006 at 2 months old.  Matt was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Everyday we find more and more people that share our heartache and our pain.  There are so many young angels in heaven that no one ever realizes. Please pray for these families and their angels.  There are so many more out there we haven't listed.  Please realize it happens in every town and can happen to everyone.  The sad part is it continues everyday.

Nothing will ever bring our Matt back to us but our faith in God allows us to know we will see him again on the other side one day when our time is over.  What a blessing that will be.


Matt I love you son and I always will.  I have done everything I can to make sure justice prevailed in your case.  Our system is so messed up though no one has rights except the killers.  No matter what happens here on earth though God has a judgement day coming for all involved that will be far worse than anything here.  I am proud that you were my son and I thank God he allowed me to be your Mom for truly the best years of my life were spent with you son.






Forever Loved and Forever Missed










Forever You Are My Son

 and my best friend!