Visibly shaken, Robert West, Sr. is still grappling with his new reality.
"I can't see my son again," West said.
He spent his Christmas holiday in tears and is bringing in the New Year without his son, 13-year-old Robert West, Jr. by his side.
"I don't even know how to react to seeing him coming out in a body bag at 5:00 in the morning. I don't even know what to say half of the time," West said.
For this family, the holiday season has been anything but joyful. Around 6 on Sunday night, Dec. 23, West, Jr. and his mother Daytra Miller, 45, were found shot to death inside of their home near Fontana Road and Labruzza Lane in Independence, investigators said.
On Christmas Eve Monday, family members gathered outside of the home,crying and leaning on each other.
Gloria McGee spoke on their behalf, still shaken about the heinous crime.
"Daytra Miller was my niece. Her son, Robert West II, were both victims of this circumstance," McGee said.
The Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office, along with Crimestoppers, is now offering a $2,500 reward tonight for any information on the double murder.
Holding a photograph of his namesake, West knows he only has these memories to cling to now. He's hoping someone, anyone will speak up.
"If you have any information about my son. If you have any information about anything that's happened to him. And if you know anybody, if you think of anybody, if you even remotely think about this situation, please contact any authorities, West said.
If you have any information on this double murder, please call CRIME STOPPERS at 800.554.5245. You can also submit a tip through our website at www.tpso.org.