‘Shaken this community’: Advocates for houseless in Kansas City react to double homicide
On May 3, Alina Heart met Marcia Boring for a picnic in Kansas City’s Washington Park.
The housing advocate had been trying to help Boring get into a stable living situation for five years. Having recently been turned away from shelters because of a lack of space, it seemed like the 52-year-old was finally ready to find permanent housing.
Three days later, Boring was dead.
Kansas City police discovered her body at 9 a.m. Friday in a wooded area of the Northeast near 2nd and Lydia Ave. Nearby, officers found the body of 50-year-old Eugene Shaw. Both had suffered traumatic injuries and were declared dead at the scene, according to Officer Donna Drake, a spokeswoman with the police department.
An investigation into the double homicide is ongoing.
Many have been in shock over the loss of the two houseless community members, said Heart, a liaison between nonprofits and people in need of housing. She described Boring as a strong-willed and outspoken member of the community who was determined to find housing alongside her daughter and young granddaughter.
“She just wanted to be a good grandmother,” Heart said.
The pair met while Heart was volunteering with an advocacy group called Free Hot Soup. Heart connected with her every few weeks to make sure Boring’s basic needs were being met.
“You could tell she’s had some bad things happen to her, but she was trying to be really strong and stand up for herself and other people,” Heart said. She remembers Boring would watch out for other women in the community and was quick to advocate for others.
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Boring had a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, which complicated the already difficult process of finding housing.
But unlike many people with serious trauma, Heart said, Boring was not withdrawn or quiet.
“I always admired that about her,” she said.
“She was outgoing with a lot to say, a lot of friends and a lot of personality.”
A memorial for Boring is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at the Hope Faith shelter in northeast Kansas City, according to executive director Doug Langner. Both Boring and Shaw were clients at the shelter.
“It’s really shaken this community,” Langner said.
“Even among our staff, people are afraid and angry.”
Langner said the double homicide has reminded community members how vulnerable they are to violence and that he hopes there will be more conversations about the security of houseless people in Kansas City.
