Apr 15, 2016 3 min read

Karissa Kunco should be remembered as an outgoing and caring woman who loved life, said Kathy Kunco Makowski said.

“If you met her for the first time, it’s like you always knew her,” Makowski said. “She never treated anybody different.”

Makowski, Kunco’s mother, spoke Friday in the Crime Victims Memorial Garden outside Courthouse Square, Washington, as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year, the annual observance, intended to increase public awareness of services available to crime victims, highlights the importance of early intervention in preventing further victimization.

“(We) decided we will not let this horrific tragedy overcome the positive influence Karissa made in the lives of so many others,” Makowski said.

Kunco was 21 when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend Jan. 11, 2012.

Jordan Clemons, 27, is on death row for her murder.

Kunco’s name, along with more than 100 victims of Washington County crimes, is etched in rock at the garden.

“Every tragedy that you see that has happened here locally or across the commonwealth – it does bring champions out,” said State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township, who pointed out Makowski, her husband, Don Makowski, and Suzanne Kelley, sister-in-law of Vincent “Mystro” Kelley, who was shot and killed in 2013 while trying to stop a bank robber in South Strabane Township.

The Makowskis presented a donation to Betsy Dane, Washington district attorney’s office of victim services administrator, which will be used to support the garden and a secure waiting area for victims at the courthouse.

Funds will also be used as financial aid for crime victims traveling for court proceedings. The donation was made on behalf of Karissa’s Army, an organization formed by Kunco’s loved ones to promote domestic violence awareness. Since Kunco’s death, the group has raised more than $50,000 in support of local women’s shelters.

Dane spoke of the number of resources available to crime victims, including the Pennsylvania judiciary web portal, which provides information on court cases, and Pennsylvania Statewide Automated Victim Information & Notification, a free service that allows users to remain updated on the status of offenders in county jail, state prison or on parole.

Assistant District Attorney Kristin Clingerman spoke about the many roles of prosecutors while acting on behalf of victims and their families – as educators, organizers, advocates and counselors.

“Establishing trust leads to empowerment of victims,” said Clingerman.

For information on Pennsylvania’s victim notification service, call 1-866-9PA-SAVIN or visit www.pacrimevictims.com.