Family Of Murder Victim Seeks Tribute Song From KISS

[Starchild]

Family Of Murder Victim Seeks Tribute Song From KISS

Herald Sun
Kate Kyriacou


The family of Mackay,Austrailia murder victim, Shandee Blackburn has appealed to International Rock Superstars KISS to play their song "Shandi" in her honor when they perform for the Queensland town next week.

As Shandee's mother Vicki and her boyfriend Arron Macklin prepare to take to the streets tonight to hand out wristbands bearing her name, friends and family are pinning their hopes on hearing her song on what would have been an early birthday celebration for the 23-year-old.The bar worker was killed in a frenzied stabbing a month ago as she walked from work,her attacker confronting her less than a block from her home. Police have not found her killer.

Mrs. Blackburn said she, along with Mr. Macklin and other family members, will walk Mackay's CBD tonight to continue to plead for information.They want Mackay residents to wear the armbands, printed with the words "Justice for Shandee", as a reminder to stay safe."We want to get as many people as we can to be aware of what is going on," she said. "Every person wearing those armbands will be saying "This is not acceptable, people have the right to be safe'."Mrs. Blackburn said 2000 bands had already been handed out to locals.

"We want the responsible person off the streets," she said. "To attack a defenceless, small woman, and to not come forward, is just awful."This person hasn't thought "Oh my God, what have I done, this is awful, I need to come forward''."A lot of people are frightened it is going to happen again." The grieving mother said she would also use her tour of the city's nightspots to remind young people never to walk home alone.

"Don't be caught out in a situation you can't get out of," Mrs Blackburn said. She said Shandee had been named after the KISS song and had been looking forward to seeing them perform. "Before this happened, I had booked some seats at the KISS concert when they come to Mackay," Mrs. Blackburn said. "It was going to be an early birthday present for her."We are really hoping they will do "Shandi" as a tribute for her."It would mean so much."

The Courier-Mail has approached promoters for the rock superstars, who have passed the request on to the band's US Management team.Shandee would have turned 24 on June 11. KISS are currently touring Australia in support of their 2012 release, "Monster."

[theclown74]

Oh man, what a really sad story! I hope the band does respect the family's wish and perform Shandi when they come there to play!

[freddy1984]

If they know about it they will. It is very sad this has happened. Makes people think twice about walking home alone at night when you all you need is a friend to keep you safe. I have never let my cousin walk home by herself since she only lives a couple streets away from where I live.

[heartbreakkid]

Love to see an update on this sad story. I hope the band give the family the requested dedication they deserve. No one should have to live in fear of walking home at night, best to always have a ride or a buddy or two to walk with you.