TSR Take A Moment: Roommates, we are saddened to report that the father of Atatiana Jefferson, the Texas woman who was fatally shot by a Fort Worth police officer in her own residence, has passed away just weeks after laying his daughter to rest.
Marquis A. Jefferson passed away yesterday at the age of 59 in a Dallas hospital where he was taken Friday night after suffering a heart attack, according to family spokesman Bruce Carter, CNN reports.
“He ultimately just succumbed to, I don’t know, I can only say a broken heart,” Carter said. “He just never recovered from the grieving process.”
On October 18, a Dallas County judge granted Marquis Jefferson a temporary restraining order, giving him full authority to make arrangements for Atatiana’s funeral and burial. “He was battling to be a part of her life to the end,” Carter said. “I think it just got the best of him.”
Marquis wanted the restraining order so he could be included in the arrangements but had a good relationship with Atatiana’s mother and siblings, Carter told CNN last month.
Marquis Jefferson told reporters that his daughter, whom he called “Tay,” was “love.” “And that smile? Lord have mercy,” he said last month, “It could brighten up any room.”
Atatiana Jefferson was fatally shot last month by Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean, who reportedly responded to a welfare check call made by a concerned neighbor.
Dean resigned right before he was arrested and charged with murder in the shooting.
Atatiana’s family and the community have been putting pressure on the city to look into the mishandling of Atatiana’s death.
We’ll keep you posted on any updates as we continue to keep the Jefferson family in our prayers.
