Friday, June 25, 1999
College Hill man shot to death
Family says drug addiction to blame
BY TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Kurk Chappell's family says crack cocaine cost him his life.
Mr. Chappell, 38, moved back home with his father in North College Hill three months ago after leaving a drug-treatment program.
But he was never far from temptation, his father said.
James Chappell Sr., 62, lent his son $27 Wednesday night and said he suspected his son was going to buy drugs but couldn't do anything about it. “He said he was going to take care of some business.”
The next he heard, his son had been shot to death in the side yard of 1090 Winonna Ave., College Hill.
Kurk Chappell was the father of two girls. His family still has his picture framed from his track team days. They remember him playing his keyboard and guitar with music ranging from opera to rhythm and blues.
“We all have problems,” said his brother, James Chappell Jr., 41. “He really did try to defeat his problems.”
When he was drug-free, he would talk about finding strength in God. When he fell into temptation, he would talk about buying drugs on payday, his family said.
“I don't see why someone would have to shoot him,” said his father, who runs the family construction business where his son often worked. “There's got to be some justice somewhere. Someone in this world has got to start caring.”
A neighbor called police upon finding Kurk Chappell shot and lying in a side yard about 7 a.m. Thursday. One person told police he had heard what sounded like three gunshots about 4:13 a.m., said Sgt. Tom Lanter, a homicide unit supervisor.
Police have no suspects, Sgt. Lanter said.
Kurk Chappell's death marks the 16th homicide Cincinnati police have investigated this year, and the first this year in the College Hill neighborhood.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040. Callers may remain anonymous.
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