Danishka Mejia Obituary – A Knoxville woman, Danishka Mejia, was tragically killed shortly after reporting a sexual assault. The Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee has highlighted the alarming national statistics regarding sexual violence against women and the local resources available to support victims.
On April 5, Mejia, 22, was discovered deceased at a residence on Gilbert Lane, along with two gunshot victims. However, investigators have determined that Mejia did not die from a gunshot wound.
Subsequently, Knoxville Police revealed that Mejia had reported the sexual assault on April 4, identifying Latawyne Osborne as the alleged perpetrator. Osborne himself arrived at UT Medical Center on the night of Mejia’s death with a gunshot wound.
Following treatment, he was arrested and charged with rape. On April 10, Knoxville Police announced a significant development in the case. Osborne, along with Edward Wilson, Marquis Ellis, and Angela Greenberg, were indicted in connection with Mejia’s death.
Osborne, Wilson, and Ellis are facing charges that include first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated burglary. Greenberg, who is Osborne’s mother, has been indicted for tampering with evidence and being an accessory after the fact.
In light of this tragic incident, it is important to be aware of the resources available to victims of sexual assault. The State of Tennessee has reported that 1 in 3 women in the United States will experience sexual violence.
Lacy Bradley, the Director of the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee, shared insights into the center’s work. “Just to provide some perspective, we are receiving one to ten calls a day at the Sexual Assault Center,” Bradley stated.
The center offers various resources, including advocacy, therapy services, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), who conduct specialized examinations, and educational outreach programs. It is crucial to support organizations like the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee in their efforts to assist victims and raise awareness about sexual violence.
