Goonew's FINAL WISH was to have his embalmed body propped up at funeral, mom reveals amidst backlash
People were left outraged after shocking footage of late rapper Goonew's embalmed body propped up as a display while people partied started circulating on social media. The rapper, born Markelle Morrow, died in March in Maryland after being shot, but the clips from the party at Bliss, a nightclub in Washington, DC, on Sunday, April 3, left users dismayed.
As per reports, people paid $40 per head to attend Goonew's funeral party, titled 'The Final Show,' and dance next to his embalmed body. The 24-year-old's body was dressed in a black sweatshirt, ripped jeans, white sneakers, a watch, and a crown on his head. Patrice Morrow, Goonew's mother, has revealed that this was how he wanted to go. Apparently, the rapper's final wish was to have his embalmed body propped up at his funeral.
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Popular rapper Goonew was shot and killed in Prince George's County. His family hosted his funeral in a club where his body was propped up like a mannequin to join the celebration. pic.twitter.com/ge1mvpzISq
— Coki (@Zucoki) April 4, 2022
"It's something I wanted to do. That's how my Markelle wanted me to do it. That's how he wanted to go out. We wanted to celebrate his life, turning up, having a party. He didn't want people to be sad and crying, he wanted people to be happy and having fun. For all the negatives, people probably don't even know nothing about us. They have no idea. People just saying what they want to say and that's fine. That's perfectly fine. I'm pleased with how I sent my son away. I wish people would just let me grieve in peace," she told Fox 5.
"We're not trying to clear anything up. We don't care about anybody and what y'all have to say negative. Nobody. We don't care. They're like, I know his mama wouldn't approve of that. Yeah, she did, she was on stage with us," said Ariana Morrow, Goonew's sister.
"We want that message to be out. We celebrated the life of my brother how we wanted. My brother was a legend, my brother was a king and that's exactly how he wanted to go out. It's rude, it's very disrespectful, it's very insensitive. If you don't like it, don't speak on it. Let us grieve how we wanna grieve," added Patrice Vincent, Goonew's sister.
It’s not real for them. That someone would shoot her son and their brother in the back. One shot that would ultimately kill Markelle Morrow, better known as GOONEW. Tonight at 11 on @wusa9 we hear from his family about the sudden & tragic loss. pic.twitter.com/wvrlvzBw1h
— Megan Rivers (@MegMRivers) March 19, 2022
"I don't believe this, I really don't. My baby's gone. All he wanted to do is try to get his family out the hood. He had a heart bigger than his body, when they took him, they took me," Goonew's mother told WUSA 9 after his death.
"I heard screaming that Markelle got shot down the street and my daughter ran straight out and I couldn't move, my mouth starts shivering really bad. I just couldn't move for a long long time. They wanted my son dead because he gave it up. They took his chain. They took his watch. He gave it up and they still shot him in his back," she added.
Internet users further questioned why Bliss let this happen, and the Northeast DC nightclub issued an apology after the outrage. The statement read, "Our deepest condolences to Goonew's family, friends, and fans. Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew's home-going celebration. Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire. We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended. Please keep Goonew's family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time. Respectfully, Bliss Management."
Goonew was fatally shot in the back after the killers stole his watch on March 18 in District Heights, Maryland. "Homicide Unit detectives are working to identify and arrest the suspect(s) who fatally shot a man Friday in the unincorporated section of District Heights. The victim is 24-year-old Markelle Morrow of Washington, DC. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. On March 18, 2022, at approximately 5:45 pm, patrol officers were called to the 3400 block of Walters Lane for a shooting. The victim was located in a parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital," the official release said.