Crystal Welch, law professor at Mississippi College School of Law, was the victim of a triple homicide, found alongside her mother and sister at a home in Ridgeland, Mississippi, on May 13.
Well-known for her legal and advocacy work, Welch was an associate clinical law professor at the MC Law, where she worked as supervising attorney for the Family and Children’s Law Center. She also served as the board president for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi and as vice president of the board of directors for the Mississippi Free Press.
MC law released a statement following the news of Welch’s passing: “It is with profound sadness that the Mississippi College and School of Law family mourns the passing of Crystal Welch, associate clinical professor at the Mississippi College School of Law. The thoughts and prayers of our leadership, faculty, staff and students are with Crystal’s family in this difficult time.”
John Anderson, dean of MC Law, said: “Crystal’s presence touched the lives of many within and beyond our university and the legal community. Her legacy will forever inspire us to strive for excellence and to uphold the principles of justice and compassion that she championed throughout her career.”
Donna Ladd, editor and CEO of Mississippi Free Press, said Welch dedicated herself to doing the work, and she lived and loved life to the fullest.
“She was a force of nature and totally dedicated to helping Mississippi reach its full potential as an equitable and kind state for all our residents,” Ladd said. “This is a severe loss to our state.”
According to a statement from Ridgeland, Mississippi, police, Welch was found with her mother, Ida Thomas Welch, 76, and sister, Vicky Welch, 56, after authorities were contacted by family members that all three had been shot to death.
In a follow-up statement from the police, the suspect, Ivory James Welch III, was identified as the brother of Vicky and Crystal and the son of Ida. According to Mississippi police, he was found by state troopers in Arizona and during the attempted arrest, he fired at the troopers and was fatally wounded in the gunfire exchange.
According to a release from the law school, Welch was a graduate of Bowdoin College and received her J.D. at the Mississippi College School of Law. “She was committed to community service and to advocacy for youth through her practice and teaching of adoption law and youth court law. Beyond her professional endeavors, Welch’s spirit of service extended to various community organizations, where she dedicated her time and expertise to causes close to her heart.”
MC Law is in the process of finalizing plans to honor the memory of Crystal Welch on its campus.
