Family searching for answers
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Updated: 12:05 AM Oct 30, 2009
Family searching for answers
Six months after his body was found in a cemetery in Bell County, the family of a Tennessee man came together for a vigil, and say they're still looking for answers.
Posted: 11:49 PM Oct 29, 2009
Reporter: Angela Beavin
Email Address: angela.beavin@wymtnews.com
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Six months after his body was found in a cemetery in Bell County, the family of a Tennessee man came together for a vigil, and say they're still looking for answers.

Forty-two year old James Kelly of Tazewell, TN, was found dead last spring in the Tackett Hill Cemetery in the Blackmont community. An investigation ruled out any foul play, and his family says Kelly died from a drug overdose, but they also believe there is more to the story.

For Kelly's sister, Georgia Rush, there are questions to be answered. "We do know who James was with earlier the night that he died," she says, "But we don't know who left him at the cemetery, so we just want to know for peace of mind, if nothing else."

His mother, Charlene Kelly, says the six months since she lost her son have been an experience she never thought she'd have. "There's nothing else that can explain it till you go through it," she says, "You can have sympathy for people and you know what they feel, but there's no way that you can know."

Several family members came to the vigil. James' father, George Kelly, hopes the truth will eventually come out. "Maybe we could get some closure here tonight or something," he says, "If somebody, you know, would tell us something that we don't know."

He says it was no secret his son had a drug problem, but says he still was a good person. James' sister says the response to the vigil proves that. Rush says, "I've been handing out these posters all day, and you know, it's amazing the number of people that he knew. And everybody that has stopped by and got a hand out today has said, 'You know, I really liked James. He was a really good guy.'"

His mother says even though they can't bring James back, knowing what happened during his final hours would help.

"Just give us some peace. That's all I ask: justice for Jamie," she says.

Family members I talked to say that they are working closely with Kentucky State Police. They say they're in contact with investigators constantly, trying to get to the bottom of James Kelly's death.

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