Angella Heard

Angella Marie Heard, a woman remembered by friends as a special person who loved to talk and laugh, was part of a large and close-knit family. The 48-year-old was one of thirteen siblings and was known affectionately by some as the "Lotto Lady." A 1984 graduate of a local high school, she was a familiar and friendly face in her East St. Louis community. Her life was violently cut short in a sudden attack that left her loved ones searching for answers that have never come.

In the pre-dawn hours of Monday, June 2, 2014, violence shattered the quiet of an East St. Louis neighborhood. At approximately 5:20 a.m., Angella was shot near the Highway Market, located at 1503 Missouri Avenue. According to a report from St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppers, the shooting occurred after Angella had an argument with an unknown individual. The assailant fired a weapon, striking Angella, and fled the scene, leaving her gravely wounded.

First responders arrived to a grim scene, and Angella was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition. For four days, she fought for her life as her family held onto hope. Tragically, her injuries proved too severe to overcome. On Friday, June 6, 2014, Angella Heard succumbed to the gunshot wound. Her death was classified as a homicide, leaving her family and community devastated by the senseless loss of a woman who, as one friend recalled, "touched so many lives."

The investigation into Angella’s murder was initiated, but details about the case have remained scarce. In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement did not publicly identify any suspects or persons of interest. The motive behind the argument that led to her death remains unclear. Without witnesses coming forward, and with little information released to the public, the trail appears to have gone cold. The East St. Louis area has contended with its share of violent crime, and unsolved cases leave a lasting scar on the community, creating a void of justice for victims and their families.

Angella’s death left a profound hole in the lives of her family. She was survived by her seven sisters, Gerri Woods, Evelyn Perru, Marlene Jackson, Brenda Kelter, Claudette Woods, Sheila Heard, and Adraine Heard, as well as her three brothers, James, Wayne, and Milton Heard. Condolences left on her online obituary page paint a picture of a woman who was loved and is deeply missed. Friends recalled her as "a good person" and someone they would always make time to stop, talk, and laugh with. The shock and sadness were palpable in their messages, as they prayed for a family that had lost a beloved sister and friend.

Years have passed since Angella Heard’s murder, and there have been no public updates regarding arrests or significant developments in the investigation. Her case is one of many that linger in the files of law enforcement, waiting for the one crucial tip that could bring a resolution. As of today, the person responsible for her death has not been held accountable, and her family is still without closure. St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppers continues to list the case, urging anyone with information to come forward. A reward may be available through their tip line at 1-866-371-8477.