Small town coming together to help family of Jessica Evans | News

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Small town coming together to help family of Jessica Evans

Submitted by WFIE Web Staff

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012, 11:09pm

Topics: News

WHITE CO, IL (WFIE)- A fund raising effort started Tuesday for the family of Southern Illinois murder victim, Jessica Evans.

Earlier Tuesday, her accused killer 36-year-old Danny Coston went to court facing nine separate charges, including first degree murder in the deaths of Evans and Jacob Wheeler and the alleged criminal sexual assault of Evans.

Authorities say they are still compiling evidence in the case.

That town is already coming together to help. One person 14 News spoke with says Jessica used to help out her family. Now, she wants to help out Jessica's family.

"Very devastating," said Tina Anderson.

Anderson knew Jessica Evans and her family well. She went to school with Jessica's mother, and Jessica used to babysit for Anderson's six kids.

"She had her hands full," Anderson said.

Anderson, like many others in the small town of Norris City, are trying to understand how and why something like this would happen to a 17-year-old girl with such a promising future.

Anderson said Jessica was, "Very bubbly. Very personality. Loved kids, loved animals, loved playing her guitar. Very happy go lucky. I don't think she'd ever met a stranger."

Anderson is one of a group of family friends trying to help Jessica's family out in their time of need. They're placing donation containers at local businesses and hosting a raffle that will be held during 'Dairy Days' later this month.

It's a way Anderson says the community can shows its support financially.

"Funeral expenses. If she might need some time off to cope. You know to get her, you know, this is her baby," Anderson said.

Anderson says donations are already pouring in, proving just how much support she says this town is showing for Jessica's family.

"It's really phenomenal for Kris. I mean, because we're such a small town, that we can all come together and support her in her time of need," Anderson said.

If you would like to help, you can donate or purchase a raffle ticket by calling Tina Anderson at 618-383-4517 or Gina Conner at 618-383-1074.

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