A memorial tree for Curtis Williamson has disappeared from Crown Point Shores again, intensifying his mother’s nearly 29-year quest for answers and justice.
SAN DIEGO — A memorial tree honoring 16-year-old Curtis Williamson, who died nearly 29 years ago, has vanished from Crown Point Shores for the second time, leaving his mother searching for answers about both her son’s death and the fate of the tribute planted in his memory.
According to previous reporting, on March 26, 1997, San Diego police responded to a reported fight involving up to 50 people at Crown Point Shores. Reportedly, Curtis and another boy were chased into the water. The other boy was rescued by a lifeguard, but Curtis drowned. His body was recovered the following morning. In 2017, his death was officially ruled a homicide.
Curtis’s mother, Patricia Ward, who lives in Florida, had someone give her updates on the tree until recently got word that it was gone.
“It was more than just a tree, it was more than just a tree,” Ward said.
The loss of the memorial has deepened the family’s anguish.
“I feel like I couldn’t protect him when he died, and by them keep stealing his tree; I still can’t protect him now. It’s like I can’t protect his name, I can’t protect who he was,” Ward said.
For nearly three decades, Ward has been trying to piece together the exact circumstances of her son’s death.
“He supposedly ran out in the water, but we have a witness, and I still know [the witness] to this day. [The witness] saw them [suspect] carry a body into the water, basically placing him into the water. So due to the coroner’s report, I don’t know what happened to my son, so that’s been my struggle, that’s been my pain,” Ward said.
Looking forward, Ward hopes to install a bench at Crown Point Shores to honor Curtis’ memory.