LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville mother is searching for answers after her 26-year-old son, Carlos Wilson Jr., died days after suffering severe injuries that left him hospitalized and unconscious.
Martina Rawlings said her family still does not know what happened to her son or who is responsible. She said the lack of information has deepened their grief.
“I can’t look my baby in the eye and tell him what happened to his brother,” Rawlings said. “It made me feel less of a mother.”
According to Louisville Metro Police, officers responded on March 23 to the 7600 block of Gerald Avenue. Investigators believe Wilson had been jumping fences before he was found in a backyard with blunt force trauma injuries.
Rawlings said her son was taken to the hospital, where he remained unconscious and on a ventilator. She described his injuries as severe.
“He had bruises, like knots, scratches,” she said. “You could tell somebody did something to him.”
Wilson died five days later.
“Cutting through someone’s yard should never end in death,” Rawlings said, noting that people in the neighborhood often use backyards as shortcuts.
Family members said his death has left them devastated and searching for answers.
“It just doesn’t make sense to us. He was a good person. He was loved by many. He wasn’t no one to go bothering people,” said his sister, Cheridan Logsdon.
“No matter the color of your skin, everybody’s loved. Everybody belongs somewhere. He wasn’t somebody trying to break into homes or whatever y’all have made up about him. He was loved, he has a home,” said his cousin, Ranesha Bowman.
Louisville Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins said the case raises serious concerns.
“I’m truly concerned about why he was beaten, even if he did walk in somebody’s backyard,” Hawkins said.
Rawlings said she wants justice for her son and more transparency from investigators.
“It’s not the news’ job to tell me what’s going on,” she said. “It’s the detectives on the case’s job to allow the family at least the respect of knowing what’s taking place. We knew nothing.”
The family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover expenses and seek a second medical examination.
The Louisville Metro Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating. Officials said all parties involved have been identified, and the case is under review by the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges will be filed.
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