It’s Time to Go Fully Public With What Really Happened to My Son, Henry Granju

Posted on March 7, 2011 by katie allison granju

PLEASE READ THESE BLOG POSTS :

If you are on Twitter (you can follow me at @kgranju), please share a link to this blog post using the hashtag, #justiceforhenry

In the days ahead, I will for the first time be sharing here on my blog every single specific detail of what happened to my teenage son, as well as all the information regarding how authorities have handled the case thus far.

I have waited nine long months for Knox County authorities to do the right thing. Polite, well-behaved southerner that I am, I have continued to err on the side of discretion and silence over all these months, in hopes that by being “good,” things would be made right. But I am no longer willing to do that.

My son did not die of an “accidental” overdose, and the investigation into his death has been inept and callous. The people who killed Henry are still free, and unless they are arrested and prosecuted, I have no doubt that someone else’s child will die.

Going fully public with this is scary, but it’s time.I know there will be some backlash. My credibility will be questioned. But my son was the victim of criminal homicide, and I have the information to support that allegation (as do the authorities, if they would only listen to me and stop dismissing me.)

I will need your support more than ever going forward. Together, we can make sure Henry’s death is not ignored, and that the two adult, Knox County residents who caused his death are brought to justice.

Please share this message with others via Facebook, Twitter, your blog or email.

Thank you -

Katie Allison Granju, Henry’s mama

PLEASE READ THESE BLOG POSTS :

If you are on Twitter (you can follow me at @kgranju), please share a link to this blog post using the hashtag, #justiceforhenry

89 thoughts on “It’s Time to Go Fully Public With What Really Happened to My Son, Henry Granju”

Julie on February 27, 2011 at 5:25 pm said:

I support you, I don't know you personally but have been reading your blog for a couple of years. I was hoping you would push the truth so as to help more kids and get the truth out there. I am still so sorry for your loss.
lucy on February 27, 2011 at 5:28 pm said:

I think this is my first time to comment, but I have been reading you regularly since first hearing about Henry while he was in the hospital. Count me as another person standing fully behind you and in awe of your strength and resolve.
Susan on February 27, 2011 at 5:34 pm said:

I've always thought (and said), "just wait till the Mother bear comes out of the cave", there will be truth………Go. You do the right thing, maybe this will force those in positions to make change and seek justice do the same. I so admire your courage. I really think Mothers are the ones who can make things happen. We just know how to do it. Thinking of you and so very sorry you had to lose your boy.
Emma on February 27, 2011 at 5:35 pm said:

I am so happy to hear you are fighting for Henry when the authorities have refused to do so. I just hope no elected officials (cough) take this case as an opportunity to grandstand or make themselves look like the hero. Henry deserves justice, and he deserves it NOW. Who are these thugs that did this to him? Why have the authorities KCSO remained steadfast that it was not a homicide? You go Mama, many people will be supporting you in this endeavor.
Yvonne on February 27, 2011 at 6:00 pm said:

I have chill bumps reading this post. I wish it had not come to this. I wish the authorities had done the right thing. You're doing the right thing.
Tasha / To-Fu on February 27, 2011 at 6:35 pm said:

We stand beside you.
Miss A. on February 27, 2011 at 7:16 pm said:

Katie. Standing a hundred percent behind you. Fight for your son, for all your children, for justice. Shout, write march. Henry is part of all of our lives now.
If there is anything anyone can do, let us know here or on facebook.
Kelly on February 27, 2011 at 7:42 pm said:

I add my voice to the many others here: fight on, Katie. Henry is worth it.

I am here. As are a chorus of other mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and children.
Eddie Rehfeldt on February 27, 2011 at 7:44 pm said:

You've got to know we are there with you. I just wish I was in Knoxville with my film camera to document your nightmare so we could amplify your struggles. Much love to you sister. Your brother in arms.
Leigh Anne Milam on February 28, 2011 at 4:58 am said:

Katie,
I am so deeply saddened by the complete lack of justice for your beautiful son. I look at his pictures and see a talented, loving, kind soul peering from behind those beautiful eyes. I am so sorry his life was so unjustly taken from him. I would be fighting the same way with both barrels of everything I had. God be with you and your family as you fight the fight of your life.

Leigh Anne
Stephanie on February 28, 2011 at 5:34 am said:

But for the grace of God go I…although I do not personally know you or your pain, I have felt it deeply from the day you came forward and have shed many a tear and shared fears for my own son. I hope that you get justice for Henry and some peace for yourself. I listen to your tragic story and those of all of the other parents, families, and friends in my community and beyond who are being destroyed by this silent epidemic that you are helping to cast a voice upon… I also hope in the future that this will also lead to more information and help for all of the casualties out there…
E. on February 28, 2011 at 6:30 am said:

I'm 100% behind you and will publicize the injustice of Henry's death in every place I can.
Alesa on February 28, 2011 at 11:57 am said:

Good for you, Katie, for not letting Henry's case be relegated to the pile of local investigatory cover-ups and become another casualty of the good ol' boy system. If they're not going to be part of a solution, it's time that you got the story out there yourself. YOU GO!
mosey on February 28, 2011 at 7:52 pm said:

I don't comment often, Katie, but I've followed your story with an aching heart this past year. I also stand behind you, as you advocate for the best for your child. That is what we are called to do as parents and you have every right to pursue justice for your beautiful Henry.
Mollymum on February 28, 2011 at 9:17 pm said:

You are a brave mama bear, please be safe in this uncertain journey. I wish you success in discovering more and through that you find help with healing.

Wishing you some good, vintage, irish luck,
Colleen

My blog— http://mollydaydreams.wordpress.com/
My art —- http://mollymum.redbubble.com/
Denise S. on March 1, 2011 at 5:16 am said:

Behind you 110%. We all have to be willing to stand for what's important to us.
Lisa on March 1, 2011 at 9:29 am said:

No mother should have to go through what you have been through. I'm so sorry. We are with you 100%
Julie on March 2, 2011 at 11:55 am said:

Katie, these pictures break my heart. I continue to be so sorry for your family's loss.
Jamie on March 2, 2011 at 5:43 pm said:

I know of a couple who's daughter was a victim of the same crime, yet they claimed she overdosed. I'm not a big conspiracy theorist, but Knoxville is a "big brother" town and I think your son knew too much or all the wrong people. Keep fighting love, let's get the truth out there…
Mel on March 3, 2011 at 10:26 am said:

I know it takes a lot of courage to share things so close to so many. I encourage you to keep telling your story for better or worse to all the world. I hope that no matter what outcome you expect or seek that the one that happens is peace and closure for you.
Jane on March 3, 2011 at 11:18 am said:

We stand with you.
Go Katie Go!!
Karen J on March 3, 2011 at 11:41 am said:

Delurking to stand with you! You go, Katie!
Amanda on March 3, 2011 at 5:55 pm said:

Katie-I found your blog tonight through Dooce's twitter feed. I first want to say I am very sorry for your loss. Henry's story touched me, and I know what your family is going through. I am from central Ky and I lost my father to a drug overdose on 9-15-02. The details surrounding his death are still not entirely clear to my family, but we have heard that foul play was probably involved. Unfortunately the sheriff's department didn't seem to care or put much effort into the death investigation, I am assuming because they looked at my dad as just another "drug addict". He was so much more, and my grandmother, mother, sister, and myself miss him dearly. I don't know if you have ever considered Al-anon but it has made a huge difference in my life and I highly recommend it to anyone who has loved an addict or alcoholic. My prayers are with your family, God bless you.
Malissa on March 4, 2011 at 5:20 am said:

Katie, my heart is breaking for you right now. I read about Henry's death last summer and felt confident someone would be charged with this horrible crime. After reading your update I am crushed nothing has been done. What a crime! I whole-heartedly support your decision to take your fight public. Justice MUST be found for you, your family, and most of all, for Henry. I will encourage everyone I know to read this story and pass it on to others. I am just simply speechless at what you have and are going through. You, your family, and Henry are in my thoughts.
Kristine McCormick on March 4, 2011 at 2:20 pm said:

I don't know you. But, I believe and support you and send you all my love. The pictures of you and Henry are so heart breaking. I'm hoping for justice. I wrote Nancy Grace, and will do anything else you ask for help with. Love from Indiana. xo
Harvey Abouelata on March 5, 2011 at 5:24 am said:

we are here and will do whatever you need us to do.
Best,
Abouelata's
kate on March 7, 2011 at 11:37 am said:

Your story brings me to tears, each time. I want to go and protest and demand KCSO does something, arrests these horrible people. It's outrageous you are fighting this without their help. I wish I could something, anything.
Tara on March 7, 2011 at 11:41 am said:

Go mama go!
KES on March 7, 2011 at 11:53 am said:

You go!
Babs on March 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm said:

I smell police corruption. Have from the start. Too many stories like this.
KAO on March 7, 2011 at 12:46 pm said:

Thank you for fighting the fight for Henry and other kids out there! You have lots of support! Continue to let us know how your readers can help.
jessica on March 7, 2011 at 3:23 pm said:

Not to be pushy but didn't you say you were going to be publishing part 9 this afternoon? What happened? Sorry if I'm being impatient I am just really looking forward to hearing what happens next with everything that's coming to light…I'm so sorry you have to be put through this, my prayers are with you.
ETE on March 7, 2011 at 3:27 pm said:

I don't know that it's really malpractice or malice on the end of the police. I deal with police a lot for my job, and it's frustrating – not all of it's their fault. With budget cuts, they really don't investigate crimes unless they're sure they can successfully prosecute. I'm sure that when you called them out on this, that made them mad and they got defensive. I don't think it's right of them to make this personal against you and your son (and seriously, how dumb of them to write that in an email).

Have you tried contacting the Feds, State Police or your congressperson? What about trying to get the individuals arrested on a different crime and work from there.

Sorry… I'm a "fixer". I fully support you and your fight for justice for Henry.
Micaela on March 7, 2011 at 3:32 pm said:

Don't apologize ever again, don't look back. Do what you need to do.
Priya Shah on March 7, 2011 at 4:45 pm said:

The picture of your beautiful Henry with all of those tubes breaks my heart. I have a baby boy who's almost a year old. I can't imagine anything what I'd do if this happened to him. I like to think that I'd fight as passionately and tirelessly as you are. Thank you for sharing your story. I think of you and Henry daily and hope that those who hurt him are brought to justice.

In the comments, someone shared that perhaps "Y" is a police informant. Do you think this is the case?
Appi on March 7, 2011 at 5:28 pm said:

You are doing the right thing.
Wish you all the strength!
Liz Arakelian on March 7, 2011 at 6:38 pm said:

I am wondering if Henry got scared after his first assault and made some noises about getting out and possibly even threatened to go to the police about that prostitution ring?

As for the person that said this about the only investigating if they are sure they can prosecute: that just doesn't fit with all that has come to light. Maybe before I might have said that, but not after reading this. I would also think that they would have gently explained that because I know of people that that has been exactly the case: everyone knows what happened, but there just isn't the hard evidence. The police will usually explain that and apologize but say that's just the realities of the justice system.

Totally don't think that's the case here. I smell a political tie in with the prostitution ring and I think it's possible Henry presented a threat.
Jocelyn on March 7, 2011 at 7:07 pm said:

Go Mama. Your son and community deserve justice.
Larissa on March 7, 2011 at 8:05 pm said:

I think this is my first comment after about 9 months of lurking.

Good for you for taking these next steps. Stay strong, true to yourself and surrounded by people who believe in you and even when it gets hard, you'll pull through!

Comments are closed.

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It’s Time to Go Fully Public With What Really Happened to My Son, Henry Granju

89 thoughts on “It’s Time to Go Fully Public With What Really Happened to My Son, Henry Granju”