MIAMI — Twenty-three-year-old Akim Liverpool, nicknamed “King,” was his mother’s best friend.
He was a volunteer, counselor, a football coach and “Mr. Homecoming" at Florida Memorial University.
Roshell Williams now wants answers after her son’s body was recovered in Biscayne Bay on Sunday after last being seen on a charter boat the night before. Police believe he fell overboard.
Williams said she doesn’t have clear answers yet from authorities. She recounted what she told her son the last time she saw him.
“I (said), ‘Please don’t leave me, just stay a little while.’ That’s what I told my son. He said, ‘Don’t worry about it, I’m coming right back,’” Williams said.
She added, “He is a living legend at 23 years old. That’s what I want you to tell them.
“A young Black male from Miami-Dade County ― no, he was not gang banging, he wasn’t smoking no dope, he wasn’t selling no dope. I want you to tell them ― and I don’t want you to edit this part ― He was not," Williams said. “And it is possible for you to come from nowhere and be something.”
She also had a message for whoever posted video of her son’s body online.
“Take that down. Facebook, whoever-book, whatever anybody got going on, it’s utterly disrespectful,” Williams said. “And what they need to understand and know: I learned how to respect people’s privacy. Because one day it just may be you, whoever posted it. Yeah, it may be you. One good day, be mindful."
Law enforcement agencies call the investigation ongoing and active.
“Why is it taking law enforcement so long to confirm his identity? And why is it taking so long to get answers?” family attorney Nixon LaRoche asked. “I mean, he was last seen on Friday. Today is now Tuesday. We still don’t have answers.”
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