BUFFALO, N.Y. — As Buffalo Police continue to investigate the homicide of Tiara Lott, the community is stepping up efforts to help bring some closure for the family.

What You Need To Know

  • Tiara Lott was found dead on Buffalo's East Side last month

  • No one has been charged in connection with the homicide

  • Community, family want justice 

Outside the Shaffer Village in Buffalo's Riverside neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, people chanted, "Justice for Tiara Lott! See something, say something!"

As the days go by, those calls only grow louder.

The past couple of months have been painful for the family of Tiara Lott. The 22-year-old Buffalo woman disappeared in late January and was found dead a few weeks later on the city's East Side. 

"Tiara represents every young black woman here in the city of Buffalo. Tiara was every last one of us," said Dominique Calhoun, a community activist. 

 

 

Her family believes a man named Andre Whigham was the last person with Lott before she was killed. In February, Crimestoppers WNY posted a reward of up to $2,500 for information that could help lead authorities to Whigham. Buffalo Police tell Spectrum News he is a person of interest in this case and homicide detectives are actively looking for him. 

Members of the recently formed Community Action Coalition of WNY spent Tuesday afternoon handing out flyers in the Shaffer Village to get the word out. They chose that spot because they've been told Whigham has been seen in that area.

"We have to press on every door, we have to knock on every door," said Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries. "We have to follow every footstep that leads us closer to justice. There should be no stone unturned, there should be no door that has not been opened for the pursuit of justice." 

Pastor Newkirk, who helped spearhead the coalition, wants the reward to be raised as well as more help from police and the community in making sure this doesn't become a cold case. 

 

 

"How many more women have to suffer at the hands of crime and violence?" asked Tamea Dixon, community liaison for Community Action Coalition of WNY.

The coalition plans to stick by the family's side so they don't have to go through this alone. 

If you have any information that can help police, you're asked to reach out to them or you can contact the Community Action Coalition hotline at 716-770-9093.