Stabbing Victim's Loved Ones Create GoFundMe for Funeral Expenses

Jaelon "Jae" Minor was found fatally stabbed in his Columbia, MD apartment, and his family is seeking help with funeral costs.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jaelon "Jae" Minor, 25, was found fatally stabbed in his Columbia, Maryland apartment on February 22nd. His roommate, Donavan Townsend, 26, has been arrested and charged in connection with his death. Minor's loved ones have created a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.

Why it matters

The tragic death of Jaelon Minor has left his family grieving and in need of financial support to properly honor his memory. GoFundMe campaigns are often used to assist families with unexpected funeral costs, especially when a loved one is the victim of a violent crime.

The details

According to the report, Townsend allegedly stabbed Minor with a sword over an ongoing dispute about finances. Minor leaves behind three siblings and his parents, Chiffonia Lloyd and John Newby. The GoFundMe page set up by Newby describes Jaelon as having a "warm spirit" and bringing "joy" to those who knew him.

  • On February 22, 2026, Jaelon "Jae" Minor was found fatally stabbed in his Columbia, MD apartment.

The players

Jaelon "Jae" Minor

A 25-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in his Columbia, Maryland apartment.

Donavan Townsend

Jaelon Minor's 26-year-old roommate who has been arrested and charged in connection with his death.

Chiffonia Lloyd

Jaelon Minor's mother.

John Newby

Jaelon Minor's father, who created the GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Jaelon was known for his warm spirit, his friendship and the joy he brought into the lives of those who knew him.”

— John Newby, Jaelon Minor's father (GoFundMe page)

“Every donation—no matter the size—will help ease the pressure on this grieving family and allow them to focus on honoring Jaelon's memory and comforting one another. ... Your compassion and generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those left behind. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your prayers and your kindness.”

— John Newby, Jaelon Minor's father (GoFundMe page)

What’s next

The GoFundMe campaign has a goal of $8,000 to help cover Jaelon Minor's funeral and memorial expenses. As of February 24th, it has raised $6,735.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the importance of community support and crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, which can provide much-needed financial assistance to families dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one, especially in cases of violent crime.