On February 7, 2026, family, friends, advocates, and supporters from across the country gathered to celebrate Crystal McCrory Jones' life. It was a day filled with love, remembrance, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring her story is never forgotten.
The day I landed in Washington, D.C., I wasn't just arriving in our nation's capital—I was arriving with a purpose. Alongside my husband, Scott, I carried more than luggage. I carried my sister Crystal's story, the voices of families searching for answers, and a commitment to advocate for higher standards in death investigations.
A moment bigger than one family. In 2025, Louisiana lawmakers unanimously passed HCR 60, calling on Congress to create penalties for the improper packaging and labeling of cremated human remains.
For everyone else driving by, it was a billboard. For me, it was my big sister’s face — larger than life, still being seen, still being remembered, and still giving me another reason to say her name.
What are families supposed to do when someone they love are victims and no one will help? What happens when they're turned away from the sheriff and district attorney? Tune in Thursday to find out! #BayouSecrets #SisterhoodBond #JusticeForCrystal #WestCarrollParish
On February 7, 2026, we gathered in the town Crystal took her last breathe in, Oak Grove, Louisiana, to celebrate her life—and we weren’t alone. 12 TikTok creators traveled from across the U.S to stand beside me and my family and friends, turning people we had met through advocacy and Crystal’s story into people who showed up for us in real life.
In May of 2024, I was preparing for a trip to Washington DC with Private Investigator Sheila Wysocki- Alongside 3 other families from southern states fighting the same injustices in their loved ones cases.
The day I landed in Washington, D.C., I wasn't just arriving in our nation's capital—I was arriving with a purpose. Alongside my husband, Scott, I carried more than luggage. I carried my sister Crystal's story. This trip wasn't about looking back. It was about moving forward with hope, determination, and the belief that every family deserves a thorough, transparent investigation.
Jana Guyewski-Lautigar, the sister of Crystal McCrory Jones, travels to Washington DC with private investigator Sheila Wysocki and three other families, including Rae Andreacchio, the mother of Christian Andreacchio.
A song written to West Carroll Parish Sheriff Scott Mathews, Chief Deputy Allen Irby, and District Attorney Penny Douciere, simply asking for an apology for what wasn’t done in Crystal’s case.
In the middle of the hardest season of my life, I realized my purpose had changed. I no longer wanted to be confined to the four walls of a classroom—I wanted to change systems, influence policy, and help ensure families receive the investigations and accountability they deserve. This award from Tulane University isn't just a recognition of academic achievement. It's a reminder that even on my darkest days, my standard remains unchanged.
