Alexandria Mother Calls for Change After Son’s Murder in Public Housing Neighborhood

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KLAX) - In Central Louisiana, concerns over violent crime—particularly in public housing neighborhoods—remain high. One Alexandria mother is speaking out, hoping her family’s loss will lead to change.

Crystal Vallery’s only son, 21-year-old Cordell, was shot and killed on New Year’s Eve in 2023. The incident occurred at Royal Ridge, formerly known as Karst Park, a public housing complex on East Sycamore Street managed by the Alexandria Housing Authority.

“This is where I feel close to him, but this is not a spot that I’m safe coming to,” Vallery said. “I’m still fighting for the person who housed my son’s killer at the time of his death to be removed from out here. He wasn’t intended for this bullet.”

The pain of that night continues to ripple through her family.

“My daughters and I were robbed of my 21-year-old son’s future. Right here in this very spot,” Vallery said. “The violence in Rapides Parish isn’t just a system failure, it’s a community silenced too. Some of us look away. Some even glorify what’s destroying us.”

She said she is working to honor her son’s life through a new initiative called Healing Crystals Civic Association, aimed at supporting other grieving families and pushing for community reform.

“I’m building Cordell’s legacy, so the next generations of mothers won’t have to stand here in this very spot, with nothing left but grief,” she said.

According to Vallery, the Royal Ridge area has long struggled with crime, often without attention or accountability.

“That actually goes overlooked,” she said. “But since then, I’ve met so many families just like mine, grieving, ignored, and some of them are even still looking for justice.”

Cordell’s killer has been convicted and is currently appealing a life sentence. Vallery said that kind of resolution is not common for many families affected by gun violence.

“That’s why I speak, because Cordell’s story deserves to be heard and so do theirs,” she said. “Justice is making sure that things change, so that the experiences I had and had to endure—going through that process—nobody in the future has to.”

Vallery is now calling for stronger public investments in long-term crime prevention and safety strategies.

“Grief, loss and violence as a public experience requires public investments into sustainable solutions that create safety for future generations, not just short-term incentives,” she said.

Those who want to support Vallery’s efforts can contact her via email at healingcrystals1022@gmail.com or on Facebook under the name Nicole Vallery-Atkins.

“Y’all, I’m not just grieving my son, I’m working really hard to build the world that he deserved to live in,” Vallery said. “I’m also fighting for your sons and daughters. Work with me—let’s build.”

ABC 31 News reached out to the Alexandria Police Department for crime data and comment but has not received an official response. We reached out to the Alexandria Housing Authority (AHA), on Sunday, June 1, 2025, to inform them of coverage and request a comment.

On Monday, June 2, 2025, at 3:35 p.m., Standard Enterprises, Inc., the company who manages AHA, Vice President of Management Mandy Ports, declined the interview request and shared this message, "While we will not be participating in this segment, we want to affirm our continued commitment to supporting resident well-being. AHA and SEI actively coordinate with local law enforcement and community organizations to promote safe and supportive living environments across our housing communities. We believe meaningful progress depends on collaboration. Residents, community leaders, law enforcement, and housing partners must work together to identify sustainable solutions that support neighborhood stability and public safety."

ABC 31 News will continue to report on violent crime trends across Central Louisiana, including in Avoyelles Parish, will continue in future coverage.