NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Several days after Jamal Moore, author, businessman and lover of life, was found dead in East Nashville, News 2 spoke with his friends about how they will remember him.
Moore, 30, was stabbed to death and then a passerby discovered his body just before noon on Saturday, January 28, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
“We weren’t ready,” Moore’s friend Lee Crawford said, shaking his head.
The idea of Moore’s death is hard for the man’s friends to fathom.
“I’m in shock. He’s not here for us to go see him,” Crawford explained.
Moore was found on the grass near a parking lot in the 800 block of Cherokee Avenue, hundreds of miles from his North Carolina home.
“There are people from Nashville to Charlotte to eastern North Carolina who are grieving right now because we lost him,” Crawford added.
He said Moore often stayed in Nashville part-time for his business as a short-term rental landlord.
“He was such a people person that he made friends wherever he went,” Crawford said. “If you ever met him, you would understand that he was an entrepreneur, he was a person who had a lot of life,” Crawford said.
With Moore’s life cut short, people like Crawford are left begging for answers.
“It just hurt,” Crawford told News 2 after losing his best friend.
Moore and Crawford, both from rural eastern North Carolina with big dreams, came together more than a decade ago.
“We immediately became best friends because Jamal just has incredible energy,” Crawford explained.
That energy inspired many people through one of Moore’s published books; through his reality series “Hustle to Play”; or through events he organized within the ministry.
“Her spirit will definitely live on,” Crawford said. “The energy that Jamal brought to anyone, to any room, is undeniable.”
Moore’s life path had one goal, which was to give back, according to his friends. They said Moore had an unwavering commitment to his family, serving as caretaker for his sisters and his children until he was stabbed to death on the side of the street.
“We can’t get Jamal back, but we still want justice, and we just want to expose the kind of violence that you see in the world every day. You know, he’s really heartbreaking,” Crawford said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Moore’s family cover funeral expenses and anything else they may need during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Metro police said a white SUV linked to Moore was discovered at a self-storage facility on Gallatin Avenue minutes after her body was found.
If you have any information regarding Moore’s death, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.
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