MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - The mother of the Miami Norland Senior High School employee whose body was found floating in a Miami Gardens canal made a tearful plea for information that could help police in their homicide investigation.
Linda Russell spoke with 7News, Thursday morning, in hopes that somebody watching could provide detectives with valuable information about the murder of her daughter, identified as 41-year-old Kameela Russell.
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“She was my only child,” she said while holding back tears. “I just hope that somebody out there can help me to have some closure for me and her two girls.”
The Miami Norland Senior High employee was originally reported missing from her aunt’s home along the 800 block of Northwest 203rd Street, May 15.
Detectives pulled her decomposed body from a canal located 10 blocks away, near Northwest 207th Street and 15th Avenue, Saturday.
The victim’s mother said she has no idea who would want to hurt her daughter.
“This is very, very difficult cause, with her personality. She was always friendly. Everybody loved her,” Russell said, “and for this to happen, it’s a total shock. I just don’t understand any of it.”
Detectives searched the home of Kameela’s former colleague who lives near the canal but have not made any arrests.
According to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office, Kameela died after a fatal blow to the head.
Police said the killer dumped her body in the water.
The school district sent a voicemail to parents about Kameela’s death.
“We are devastated after learning about the tragic death … and ask that you join the Norland family and the entire Miami-Dade County Public Schools community in keeping the loved ones in your prayers,” the recording said.
Linda said she thanks everyone for the outpouring of support, and she hopes the community can give her family a little more help by calling police if anyone knows who killed her daughter.
“For someone to just discard her like a piece of garbage, like that, there is nothing left for me to see to get closure,” she said. “I don’t know who could be so heartless or cold to do something like that.”
In a tweet posted Thursday afternoon, a Miami Gardens Police Officer said they are looking for tips from the public.
If you have any information that could help police, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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