Promise shattered - Family heartbroken by loss of Kevaughn Goldson

Kevaughn Goldson's life was a bright, blazing promise to his family, his downtown Kingston community, and himself. At just 23 years old, the Jamaican sprinter had the world ahead of him, and a heart full of ambition to lift everyone he loved out of struggle.

But on a quiet evening in Jefferson City, Missouri, those dreams were violently cut short. He was stabbed multiple times, allegedly by his girlfriend, Denita Jackson, after an argument at the home where he lived.

"Kevaughn is my oldest grandson and even when him was going to KC (Kingston College) and competing in Champs, people all 'bout have high hopes fi him," Goldson's 72-year-old grandmother, Evlet Smith told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Heartbroken relatives and friends gathered Wednesday night at the corner of Rum and Laws streets -- just outside the home he had known for most of his life -- for a nine-night candlelight vigil.

Despite the challenges of growing up in modest circumstances, Goldson was encouraged by his family to aim high and break the cycle of poverty that had affected previous generations. His grandmother said he was a stellar student at Kingston College, graduating with approximately 17 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations passes -- a testament to his dedication and intellect.

After high school, he pursued higher education in the United States, attending Lincoln University in Missouri. There, he balanced the demands of college life with athletics, striving to excel in both areas while planning for a future that would benefit his entire family.

"Not because him come from the ghetto meant he had to come out as a product of it," Smith said.

For his family, Goldson was more than a grandson or a son -- he was hope personified.

"Him sister have a bachelors inna medical sciences, his cousins are in different professions, banking, IT and other jobs. ... so everybody a build. But Kevaughn did reach at that point where him could get we out of situations," she said.

"Him coulda come build him grandmother a house, because he was to graduate May, and not even that him nuh get fi do," Smith said.

Police allege that the 23-year-old Jamaican athlete was stabbed by Jackson after a heated dispute at his residence. She has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

"Mi feel like she (Jackson) tek away our chance of getting a breakthrough," Smith said. "Mi nuh know how, but mi can only ask for forgiveness fi her, because she nuh know what she do," Smith said, adding that the thought sent cold bumps over her body.

Despite his busy schedule as a student and athlete, Goldson never stopped thinking of others.

"Him would send a likkle perfume or jewellery fi me, and everybody inna the yard a get something -- even people weh nuh blood family," she said.

The grief is suffocating. His mother is shattered.

"Him mother nah tek it well. She nah talk to nobody, and she not even a eat. Him a her only son and the oldest, so you can't imagine the pain she a go through," the grandmother said.

A grandaunt added that the constant reminders on social media have been painful for the family.

"Him mother can't even look pon the phone because everywhere on social media you are seeing him. It's so sad. People are making their remarks, like he was cruel to her, but we know Kevaughn," she said.