Christmas has never been the same for Calab Luckett’s family since that fateful day in 2016. At a time when many families come together to celebrate, their loved ones were forced to plan their funeral.
Calab’s mother, Jennifer Schwartz, and her aunt, Nancy Byrd, are CNAs who work hard to support their families. And that year was no exception. They worked 16-hour shifts and, to earn extra money for the holidays, they worked on Christmas Day. The plan was for their families to celebrate together at the end of the week. But they never got the chance.
“Every year, we relive the headache,” Nancy told Dateline. “My nephew had a lot of life ahead of him. And everything was taken from him in an instant. ”
Calab Luckett, who lived in Evansville, Indiana, was just 18 when he was shot and killed on Christmas Day at Parkside Terrace, now known as Woodland Park Apartments on Sunburst Boulevard.
Nancy told Dateline that her nephew had visited friends at the compound that weekend, as his mother would be working. On Christmas Eve, Calab and his mother spoke on the phone, discussing their holiday plans for the end of the week. It was the last time she would speak to her son.
“It is completely broken … it has never been the same since that day,” said Nancy in tears. “We both feel so much guilt for working that day. But we are not rich. We fight every day. So we hoped that the money would give our families the Christmas they deserved ”.
Nancy told Dateline that both families struggled financially for years. Every child who graduated from high school had hopes of going to college, getting a good job and helping to lift their families out of poverty. Calab was one of them.
“He finished high school early and planned to go to college,” said Nancy. “He had his struggles and problems, but he knew he wanted to have a better life for himself. And for your family. “
But the day after Christmas, Calab’s family would receive the phone call that has shaken their lives forever.
“Your mother got a call from one of her friends who lived there,” said Nancy to Dateline. “A body was found in one of the vacant apartments. And this friend believed it could be Calab. ”
Calab’s mother ran to the spot where she ended up identifying the body of her 18-year-old son by his tattoos.
Evansville Police Department detective Kyle Campbell told Dateline that Calab was shot and killed inside the empty apartment on December 25. His body was found the next day by a maintenance worker.
“My nephew lay there and bled, alone for hours,” said Nancy in tears. “We don’t know why he was there or who attracted him, but he didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Detective Campbell told Dateline that he doesn’t know why Calab was in the empty apartment and doesn’t know if Calab knew his killer (s).
An autopsy by the Coroner’s Office in Vanderburgh County confirmed that Calab died of a single gunshot wound to the head and his death was considered homicide.
For years, investigators followed countless clues and clues, but nothing pointed at the person who pulled the trigger.
The detective who responded to the scene and became the principal investigator in the Calab case has now retired. The case was briefly transferred to another detective before finally being transferred to Detective Campbell, approximately a year and a half ago. He hopes to be able to resolve Calab’s case and close the case with his family.
“I spoke with members of Caleb’s family and saw the headache they all carry today,” Det. Campbell told Dateline. “Christmas is a difficult time for them. Each year, at that time, people will contact the family with information or the latest rumor they heard about Caleb’s death. It is often nothing new, but the same old stories being told over and over again. These people have good intentions and think they are helping, but they cannot see how it really hurts the family and amplifies their pain. “
Detective Campbell told Dateline that he is following new leads in the case, but gave no details due to the fact that the investigation is open and active. But he added that if anyone is forced to share information about Caleb’s death, he asks them to share it with the authorities.
“My heart is with Caleb’s family and friends,” Det. Campbell said. “I can’t imagine what it was like for them and what they had to go through. I hope to catch Caleb’s killer, but I recognize that it’s not something I can do alone. I need help from the community. Does anyone know the truth about what happened that Christmas. We just need to talk. “
Calab’s family remains in close contact with Det. Campbell and is hopeful that a new pair of eyes on the case will finally bring closure.
Nancy created Justice for Calab Luckett, a Facebook group that shares memories and photos of Calab, while asking for tips and information that can help put together a weekend schedule.
“It’s been a downward spiral since that Christmas four years ago,” Calab’s aunt, Nancy, told Dateline. “His mother stopped living after his death. I was there for her in every nook and cranny, but all I can do is empathize. I really couldn’t feel your pain. I do not like it. ”
Nancy told Dateline that every Christmas has been painful for her family, but, little by little, they are starting the healing process. And for the first time in years, Calab’s mother set up a Christmas tree.
“I know the pain is still fresh for her,” said Nancy. “But we are doing the best we can. We hope that when sharing my nephew’s story, someone will introduce themselves. We need peace for our families and peace for Calab. ”
Anyone with information about the Calab case should call the Evansville Police Tip Line at (812) 435-6194. All calls are anonymous.