Family gathers to remember Postal Service worker found slain in Orland Park

Dozens gathered at a vigil outside the home of Mechellea Williams, 28, a mother of three who was fatally shot early Wednesday in suburban Orland Park.

Family and friends of Williams arrived to her home Thursday night in the 100 block of East 119th Street carrying silver, white and green balloons to release in her memory.

Williams, a Chicago mother of three boys ages 11, 5 and 10 months, was remembered as happy and outgoing.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Williams was also one of six siblings. Her youngest sister, Erykah Williams, said: “Time is standing still. My sister was always laughing … she was always happy. It hurts ... Where’s my sister? Someone took my sister away from us and we can’t get her back.”

Loved ones shed tears and embraced as they shared stories and prayed for an end to gun violence.

“My nephews, my family, were hurting,” Williams said. “All we want is justice so if anybody knows anything just let us know. ... She did not deserve this.”

An autopsy revealed Williams died of multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Provided

Just after midnight Wednesday, officers responded to reports of “perceived shots fired” in the 170th block of Redbud Lane, according to Orland Park police.

Williams was found inside a vehicle and was pronounced dead at 12:26 a.m., officials said.

Williams was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 11 of Chicago, the union said.

Elise Foster, president of the local union, spoke at the memorial. “It’s devastating to all of us to lose a carrier. We’re coming out to support the family and whatever they need us to do, we’re here for them,” Foster said.

The shooting occurred at the Orland Ridge Towns and Villas complex. The complex had no further information, but managers said they were working with police.

Plainclothes police officers could be seen knocking on doors at the complex Thursday morning.

“It’s unfortunate that this young lady lost her life, and hopefully nothing like this ever happens again in this area,” one resident at the complex said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the Williams family.

The South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and Orland Park police were investigating her death.