The family of a man who was killed in a horrifying French Quarter hit-and-run incident on New Year’s Eve night is continuing to plead for help in the city of New Orleans, saying that they simply want closure to their loved one’s death.
On New Year’s Eve night, a driver in a Sedan hit 28 year-old Josh Woodruff near Dumaine and Decatur Streets in the French Quarter and then dragged him at least six miles all the way to the Westbank, leaving his body disfigured on the side of the road.
Woodruff was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and was visiting New Orleans for the New Year’s holiday. Woodruff was a Harvard University graduate who was currently working at a startup company in Los Angeles, California.
Now, Woodruff’s family has revisited New Orleans to hold a vigil in Josh’s honor and plead with locals to help uncover who took their son and brother away from them, according to a report by FOX8’s Meg Gatto.
Wearing Josh Woodruff’s favorite color of orange, his parents gathered with supporters Sunday night in Jackson Square. Together, they prayed, begging for Josh’s killer to be found.
“We pray Lord for the best of New Orleans to come forward and to bring closure to this case. Father we ask that the FBI would be able to identify the car as they enhance the video,” Mark Woodruff prayed.
Caren Woodruff adds, “Somebody dragged our child for six miles, I mean the thought of it is hideous.”
Caren told FOX8 that getting over the loss of her son was unfathomable, but said seeking the killer was “this part of this is so weighing us down.”
“We walked probably half of the French Quarter like 15 miles, we handed out 2,500 flyers. We actually walked the route the suspect’s vehicle allegedly took and met with all the homeowners, made sure they turned over video to police,” said Gonzales police officer Duane Carpenter.
The couple says they’re overwhelmed by the support.
“Thank you for not forgetting him and thank you for being with us as we try to find who is responsible for this,” Caren Woodruff told the group Sunday night.
They’re pleading with the driver to turn themselves in, explaining, they don’t want retaliation.
“Nobody needs forgiveness more than the perpetrator. I can’t imagine the burden he is carrying,” Mark Woodruff said.
Back in January, the Woodruff’s were offering a reward of $10,000. Now, they have raised that amount to $15,000 for anyone with information that leads to finding the Josh’s killer.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is still working the case, but said they need more help from the public.
Woodruff’s friends and family have started a Facebook page in his honor to commemorate memories and the life of the young 28 year-old.
Follow Josh Woodruff’s tragic story here:
These Are The Last Text Messages French Quarter Hit-And-Run Victim Sent To His Family
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