Local Family Touched by Tragedy in Texas

A local family is asking for help after tragedy struck miles away in Houston, Texas. On Aug. 8, Valerie Jackson, Dwayne Jackson Sr. and their six children were shot to death in their home. David Ray Conley III has admitted to the murders and was charged with capital murder the following day.

Jackson’s brother, Earl Yanske, lives in St. Marie with his wife Sarah. According to the Houston Chronicle, in a phone call to Yanske just hours after the incident, Conley admitted to the killings:

“I need to ask you a question,” Yanske recalled saying to Conley. “Did you kill my sister?” Conley casually told him: “Yes I did.” “There was totally no emotion in his voice.”

In a jailhouse interview with KPRC 2 out of Houston, Conley indicated he didn’t feel the children were being raised properly and said, “I love Nate,” referring to his own 13-year-old son, who was among the victims. “I love Nate to death.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses. According to the page, which was set up Aug. 9, the funds donated will help cover the transportation of the deceased family members, funeral home services in Minnesota, grave expenses, flowers, obituary costs and all remaining related expenses for the family’s burial and funeral services. Additionally, funds will be used to purchase headstones for each of the eight family members killed. To donate, visit gofundme.com/p7ygtfsc.