Nick Burkett’s family gathered together in the chilly air, passing around a bouquet, candles, and laminated photos as they constructed an impromptu memorial on Denver’s 16th Street Mall on a Friday afternoon.

Only a few days had passed since Carol Cortez received the devastating call from a detective informing her that her son had been fatally stabbed over the weekend. She admitted that she still felt numb from the shock.

Being homeless and battling mental health and substance abuse issues, Burkett had not been in touch with his mother since just before Christmas.

“We wanted to understand his final moments on this Earth, what he might have been doing down here,” Cortez shared.

Standing alongside Burkett’s father, Wayne, and sister, Maxine, near the intersection of Wazee Street, where the tragic incident occurred, Cortez reflected on the loss of her 34-year-old son.

Elijah Caudill, 24, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault in connection with the stabbings that claimed Burkett’s life and that of 71-year-old Celinda Levno, a flight attendant, while injuring two other individuals.

“It’s terrifying to contemplate what he endured in his final moments,” Wayne Burkett expressed. “Being here at the very spot where it happened is surreal.”

Nick Burkett was known for his humor, exuberance, and artistic inclinations. He was unapologetically himself, indifferent to others’ opinions.

However, his struggles, particularly with substance abuse, likely made him vulnerable to the tragic outcome.

Burkett’s untimely death underscores broader societal challenges facing Denver, such as homelessness and public safety, as highlighted by his grieving family.

“We must advocate for a safer city,” expressed Maxine Burkett. “I want to bring my kids here. I want other families to visit without fear of harm.”

Nick Burkett’s parents and sister expressed their desire to explore additional ways to support the homeless population.

“I am certain that every individual on these streets has someone who loves them, cares for them, and wishes for their well-being,” Maxine Burkett asserted. “They are not disposable.”

“He held immense value to us,” Carol Cortez added. “He mattered. He was not insignificant.”