Mahogany Jackson’s family grateful for public help in getting eight suspects in custody after murder, kidnapping

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Mahogany Jackson’s older sister, Jazmyne Maddox, says she’s at peace. Still, she does have moments where she gets upset after hearing from officers that at least eight people did nothing to stop her sister from being sexually assaulted, tortured, kidnapped, and shot.

Despite the pain, Maddox and other family members are choosing to focus on the happier times they spent with Jackson.

“She was our baby. She was literally a baby... our Hoggy. MJ,” says one relative.

Jackson’s family says she was the life of the party who always knew how to stand up for herself, and they believe she did that to the very end.

“My girl did what she did. Told us where she was and helped us out. I am so proud of her. Like she did something then,” says her cousin. “That’s one thing I’m glad about because we probably would’ve just lost.”

Thankfully, her sending her location to her family helped police bring suspects into custody. Those suspects are facing charges for what officials describe as horrific, even barbaric acts. Some of the things depicted were so bad her big sister was afraid to see her.

“I was so afraid to see what she looked like, knowing what happened, but my sister looked good. That was the thing I was worried about the most,” says Maddox.

Maddox says her main focus is to be there for their mother and Jackon’s 3-year-old daughter, Nydia.

“Of course, she is taking it hard. That’s my sister, but that’s her daughter, but that’s just a different type of pain,” says Maddox. “I have kids, so I can’t imagine.”

What happened to Mahogany has been described by leaders like District Attorney Danny Carr as animalistic. On top of that, these acts were recorded and shared on social media. That is something Carr says crosses the line.

“She has to live with this forever, and there are some aspects of this situation I know that’s devastating to that family, but then to see it reenacted on video almost places you there, and then to see people continue to share it over and over. At the end of the day, have some respect for them,” adds Carr. “Have some respect for the family. Have some respect for mahogany.”

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