SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio mother has spent the past eight years waiting desperately for local authorities to make an arrest in her daughter’s murder case.
Debra Seward, who serves as a minister and is the community engagement coordinator of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, experienced a life-altering tragedy on July 15, 2018, when her daughter, Grace Seward, was murdered.
According to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), Grace, then 24, and a friend found themselves involved in an altercation at a nightclub. After the incident, it is believed they left the venue but were pursued to a home on the East Side, specifically in the 100 block of Gorman Street, by two individuals who opened fire, hitting both Grace and her friend.
Her friend survived the attack, but tragically, Grace succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
“I have a friend who lost her child tell me something I think about today,” Debra Seward shared. “When a child loses a parent, they are called an orphan. If you lose a spouse, you are a widow or widower. What are you called when you lose your child? There are no words.”
Despite the overwhelming burden of uncertainty surrounding her daughter’s killers, Debra remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
“It is heavy to know this is where my child took her last breath,” Debra reflected as she stood at the site of the shooting, eight years later. “It is hard to relive this, but I have to continue to talk about what happened, especially as we continue to seek justice.”
Even amid such profound grief, Debra finds moments of joy in remembering her daughter. “She was such a goofball,” she said with a smile. “When I see butterflies, it makes me think about her because when she passed, I was surrounded by butterflies, and I thought, ‘She is still with us.’”
In honor of Grace, a talented student athlete, Debra established the Grace Seward Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of gun violence. “You don’t have to solve altercations with violence,” she emphasized.
The foundation has successfully raised thousands of dollars to provide scholarships for student athletes and those aspiring to attend college.
“I loved Grace,” Debra expressed with deep emotion. “To be able to put my arms around her again, I would give anything to do that.”
As of today, Grace Seward’s case remains unsolved. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any information leading to an arrest related to the case.
Individuals with any information are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at (210) 224-7867.
“My faith tells me she is resting with God, and one day we will see each other again,” Debra Seward concluded. “If I could say something to the people who did this, I would tell them, ‘I forgive you.’ I forgive them because God forgave me.”
