KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a full tear, candlelight vigil on Monday eveninga family continues their fight for justice and answers.

Jonathan Rodgers, 35, was found near Independence Avenue in northeast Kansas City, Missouri, with serious injuries.

He later died at the hospital.

Jack McCormick

The Kansas City, Missouri, police department said officers found Rodgers with bodily injuries on Independence Avenue after receiving another call for a response near the intersection of East 6th Street and Monroe Avenue

Both calls were connected to Rodgers.

Further investigation revealed that Rodgers’ injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma.

Rodgers’ family is frustrated with KCPD for a lack of answers.

“Everybody puts it off like, ‘Oh, he was homeless,'” said Zelpha Rodgers, Jonathan’s mother. “He wasn’t just homeless. He had a house, he had a family, he had children.”

Jack McCormick

Zelpha Rodgers returned to the intersection of Sixth and Monroe many times, looking for any information about what led to her son’s death.

She told KSHB 41 News that police did not initially contact her and are now not returning her numerous calls for answers.

“I came here looking for this the next morning,” she said. “They never let me know. Everything I know, I found out on my own.”

Jonathan lived on the streets for periods of time, but sometimes returned home to his mother and three young children.

On October 17, Zelpha says that Jonathan has decided to come home for good.

“She was just putting things back together,” Zelpha Rodgers said.

According to Zelpha, Jonathan called her earlier that afternoon and asked to be picked up from the dollar store on Independence Avenue.

“She threw her bag in the front seat and said, ‘I’m going to the ATM, I’ll be right back,'” Zelpha Rodgers said.

But that was the last time he saw his son.

After Jonathan didn’t return to the car for a while, Zelpha says she had to take the kids home for dinner and bed.

It wasn’t until her family ran a news article that she realized her son might not be coming home.

“I want to know why my son’s case is being blown up like he’s just somebody who has no family, has nothing,” said Zelpha Rodgers.

KCPD has not identified any suspects or stated why Jonathan suffered bodily trauma. A spokesperson told KSHB 41 News detectives are actively investigating.

Unsolved crimes among the homeless community are an unfortunate occurrence that Shelter KC’s executive director sees all too often.

“It’s not safe on the streets,” Eric Burger said. “It’s just not.”

Brian Luton

Burger explained that mental health issues and struggles with substance abuse contribute to rising rates of chronic homelessness in the KC area.

“That already makes you vulnerable,” Burger said. “That already puts you in a situation where you’re more likely to be victimized.”

Zelpha explained that she refuses to let her son be just another victim.

“I can’t cry or grieve completely until I get answers,” Zelpha Rodgers said.

If you are experiencing a housing crisis, you can call 211 to connect with the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness and learn about housing resources.

If you know someone or see someone who is unsheltered, calling 311 will notify the Kansas City outreach team that works directly with shelters.

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KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.