Seeking Justice for Allison: A Heartfelt Appeal to Our Leaders
Our beloved Allison's story is one of heartbreak, neglect, and a fight for justice. As a cherished member of the Indigenous community, Allison's life was tragically cut short, and the response from the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) has left her family and loved ones grappling with unanswered questions.
Allison endured a tumultuous and abusive relationship with Chuck Foss, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, which led to several calls to law enforcement. Despite Allison’s desperate pleas for help, the system repeatedly failed her. From documented police calls to restraining orders, her cries for protection were ignored, and no meaningful action was taken.
February 13, 2024: Chuck forced his way into Allison’s apartment, physically assaulting her. She fled to a neighbor’s home, and the police were called. Despite the severity of the attack, no arrest was made.
February 17, 2024: After Chuck was found inside Allison’s apartment again, MPD let him go, citing that it was beyond the 72-hour statute for probable cause arrest. They simply made him leave. Four days later, Allison was found deceased in her apartment.
The following communications illustrate ongoing investigative efforts and highlight critical issues still unresolved:
Email from Dr. Jonathan Baines, Mayo Clinic: Dr. Baines clarified the medical misunderstanding surrounding Allison’s death. In his communication to Jana Williams, he stated:
"I'm baffled that anyone would consider hypertension as a cause for subdural hematomas. A simple search of sites such as Cleveland Clinic and Mayo showed that hypertension is not even in the differential. Subdural hematomas are caused by trauma and have nothing to do with hypertension. I don't know if you have a medical expert to testify to this effect. An ER doctor, neurologist, or neurosurgeon would be the most authoritative."
This professional insight emphasizes that Allison’s cause of death was misinterpreted by non-medical authorities and should have been addressed more rigorously from the beginning.
Voicemail from Tracy to Jana: A voicemail further detailing the investigative process:
"Hey Jana, it's Tracy just following up on your voicemail. I did get a chance to talk to Aaron. She met with an investigator in our office last Friday and gave him a bunch of tasks to do, like looking at the Salvation Army cameras. We’re also working to subpoena Facebook messages, but it's going to take time. I'll check in with you every couple of weeks to keep you updated. Feel free to contact me at 612-348-2147 or my work cell at 612-306-2573."
This update shows that while efforts are being made, the investigation is ongoing, and key evidence is still being gathered, months after Allison’s passing.
Allison's family, led by her aunt Jana Williams, has fought tirelessly for justice. After speaking with law enforcement, medical professionals, and officials, the family believes that crucial errors were made by MPD in investigating Allison’s death.
Why wasn’t Allison’s death treated as a homicide from the start, especially after the Medical Examiner identified a subdural hematoma?
Why was her apartment not secured as a crime scene, and why weren’t video cameras pulled from surrounding areas to determine if Allison was being stalked?
Why has it taken over six months for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to conduct a full investigation or charge the suspect?
Allison’s case represents a larger, systemic issue of the mistreatment and disregard for Indigenous women within the justice system. From the beginning, Allison's cries for help were overshadowed by the fact that she was an Indigenous woman struggling with addiction. If it weren’t for her background, would her case have been handled with more urgency and care?
We call upon our leaders, Senator Mary Kunesh, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and the broader justice system, to take action. We seek a thorough investigation into the handling of Allison’s case, accountability for the failures of MPD, and justice for Allison’s tragic death.
Allison’s story is not just her own—it’s the story of many Indigenous women who have been failed by the justice system. We are fighting not just for justice in her case but to prevent this from happening to others. We demand accountability and reform in how law enforcement handles cases involving Indigenous women and vulnerable communities.
Let’s ensure that Allison’s case becomes a beacon for change, highlighting the systemic failures and demanding better treatment for all.
Stay Connected
For updates, ways to support, and more information, please contact Jana Williams at darlinjana@yahoo.com.
Contact Jana Williams to get more information on the project