Slain NBA player's mother asks reward help

MEMPHIS, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The mother of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright says she is asking for public help to fund a reward to help find her son's killer.

Deborah Marion's says her goal is to raise $100,000 to coax those who are reluctant to provide information to come forward, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported.

"I am totally frustrated that nothing is happening," Marion said Wednesday. "You know, the police are working as hard as they can, but they're not getting anywhere."

Marion said she had a message for those who might know something about her son's death: "Please open your mouth. Put yourself in his six kid's shoes. They are without a daddy."

Buddy Chapman, executive director of Memphis Crime Stoppers, said the additional reward money would be available to tipsters once it is received by Crime Stoppers.

"I do think, and this is just my opinion, there is a conspiracy of silence here," Chapman said. "A number of people know exactly what happened."

"Ten thousand dollars, $50,000 or $100,000 will loosen a lot of lips," he said.

Wright, 34, was found dead July 28 in a field in Southeast Memphis. His death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.