Weatherspoon's family says she was found dead inside a garbage can near 54th Street and Union Avenue on July 11. The death remains under investigation. ABC 7 previously reported that family members identified the woman as Zenobia "Zee" Weatherspoon after her body was discovered in an alley.
Her brother, Javan Weatherspoon, is charged with attempted first-degree murder in a separate case stemming from a July 19 shooting. According to court records, prosecutors allege he confronted a woman he believed had information about his sister's death.
According to the detention proffer, Weatherspoon approached the victim and yelled, "What do you know about my sister?" Prosecutors allege he then struck her in the head with a firearm, shot her in the pelvic area and later returned to fire a second shot that did not hit her.
Court records identify the victim as a friend of Zenobia Weatherspoon and one of the people who discovered her body. Prosecutors wrote that, since Zenobia Weatherspoon's body was found, Javan Weatherspoon had accused the woman on several occasions of knowing something about his sister's death.
The victim survived the shooting. Prosecutors said she suffered a gunshot wound to the pelvic area and a femoral head fracture.
At the detention hearing, the judge found prosecutors had shown by clear and convincing evidence that Weatherspoon committed a detainable offense, posed a threat to the victim and the community and should remain in custody pending trial. The court order states the victim was unarmed and posed no threat when she was shot.
State Sen. Lakesia Collins, who said she knew Zenobia Weatherspoon and identified the shooting victim as her cousin, said speculation surrounding the death investigation has taken a toll on everyone involved. Collins said she believes the focus should remain on the investigation and allowing authorities to determine what happened. Based on her observations at a vigil for Weatherspoon, Collins said there was significant speculation in the community about who may have last seen Zenobia Weatherspoon and what happened before her death.
"I really would love for people to allow this to play out, allow the investigators to bring the truth to the light, allow the justice system to work in the way it's intended to work. And allow the healing process to start," Collins told ABC 7.
Collins also reflected on Javan Weatherspoon's grief while emphasizing that it does not excuse the allegations against him.
"I can't speak for her brother. I'm not angry at him because I know that he loved his sister and I know that he wants justice. I just know that these things take time," Collins said.
Collins said the community is still struggling with the trauma surrounding Zenobia Weatherspoon's death and the violence that followed, adding that residents are waiting for answers from investigators.
The investigation into Zenobia Weatherspoon's death remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly announced a cause or manner of death, and no charges have been announced in connection with her death.