UPDATE: “First, we forgive you and justice in this situation will not bring back our brother, so we are not seeking retribution in any way, but we do hope that this person will turn themselves in or will be turned in by someone just so this doesn’t happen to another family,” says Josh’s sister Heather Grizzle.
28-year-old Josh Woodruff was celebrating the New Year’s in the French Quarter when police say he was hit by a car and dragged more than six miles before his body was discovered on US 90 near the General De Gaulle exit in the early morning hours of January 1st.
Since his passing, friends and family members started a Facebook group for Josh and after reading several posts, it’s obvious the impact Josh had on the people he touched. -many using words and pictures to mourn the loss of this young man.
“You can see the pain in people’s eyes that that leader is gone and I think it’s been very tough on a lot of people,” says Josh’s brother Ben Woodruff.
Dozens of friends and family gathered at Josh’s parent’s home in Omaha, Nebraska Tuesday. His sister Heather says she’s finding strength through God’s love and through the prayers of the many people Josh has touched throughout the years.
“It’s been amazing to see the impact that he had that’s been so wide and far reaching,” says Grizzle.
Josh’s siblings say people were immediately drawn to Josh.
The say he was a fun person to be around, who held engaging conversations with both friends and strangers.
His funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
“We’re thankful for his life and we’ll miss his dearly,” says Woodruff.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The New Orleans coroner has identified a body found disfigured on the side of the road New Year’s Day as Josh Woodruff.
Police believe Woodruff was hit by a car in the French Quarter and then dragged more than six miles away. The coroner lists Woodruff’s cause of death as blunt force trauma.
The 28-year-old was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He was in New Orleans with friends to celebrate the New Year.
According to Omaha.com, Woodruff was a Harvard University graduate who had been working at a startup company in Los Angeles.
Friends and family members have started a Facebook group for Woodruff.
A passing motorist discovered Woodruff’s body on U.S. 90 near the General de Gaulle exit in the early morning hours of January 1. Security video shows a black sedan hit a man on Decatur Street at about 3:15 a.m.
Witnesses told police Woodruff was struck while attempting to hail a Uber.
The NOPD held a press conference Tuesday, asking for any help identifying the driver who hit Woodruff. No one is in custody at this time, but authorities say they are confident they will catch the person responsible.
Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111. You don’t have to reveal your name or testify to collect a cash reward.