Family of 17-year-old Norfolk girl found dead starts GoFundMe page, police say
Someone previously made phony Cash App account asking for money
“Asia was very close to her younger siblings, Adarius & Keyra. More than anything, we think Asia would want to ensure that her siblings were taken care of.”
— GoFundMe page
Following concerns over the weekend that someone was trying to fraudulently raise money in the wake of a 17-year-old Norfolk girl’s death, Newport News police on Tuesday announced the teen’s family had started a GoFundMe page.
The girl, Asia Cowell, was reported missing from Norfolk on Sept. 7. Police tweeted asking for help finding her four days later.
Her body was found in Newport News on Sept. 23 near the wood line, close to the16000 block of Warwick Blvd., police said Friday.
The GoFundMe account, which police said they’ve verified, will support Cowell’s siblings as they pursue their education in the future.
“Asia was very close to her younger siblings, Adarius & Keyra,” the GoFundMe page reads. “More than anything, we think Asia would want to ensure that her siblings were taken care of.”
Over the weekend, the police department posted a warning to let the public know about a scam involving the teenager’s death.
Someone made a Cash App account and asked for donations in Cowell’s honor. The police department said her family had not created a fund at that point. The department reached out to Cash App on the family’s behalf to have the fake account closed.
There was also an Instagram account associated with the scam, police said.
Police said Friday that they have no information available on Asia’s death and the investigation is ongoing. Both the Newport News Police Department and the Norfolk Police Department are working the case.
“Despite our grief, we are extremely grateful to everyone for their support during this truly difficult time,” the GoFundMe page reads.
Police ask that anyone with information call the Crime Line at 1–888LOCK-U-UP (1–888–562– 5887) or submit a tip online at p3tips.com.
To donate to Cowell’s f a mily, visit g ofundme.com/f/the-asiacowell-legacy-fund.