CRESTVIEW — A refurbished Honda 2007 CBR1000 motorcycle is the prize for a raffle to benefit the family of homicide victims Shanna and Kevin McGrath, who, along with Elbert Merrick III, died Jan. 23.
An Okaloosa County grand jury indicted Jacob Rex Langston on Feb. 12 for first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Merrick, first-degree premeditated and/or felony murder for the McGraths’ deaths and two counts animal cruelty. The killings occurred Jan. 23 at the McGraths’ Crestview home.
Raffle tickets — one for a $10 donation or five for a $40 donation — are available now at Crestview Motorsports and NWF Powersports in Milton. All proceeds will be used to pay for the McGraths’ funerals and crime scene clean-up.
"Crime scene clean-up costs were approximately $14,000," Crestview Motorsports co-owner Amber Flanagan of Crestview said. "Funeral costs on average …. in Florida is between $600 and $3,000."
Flanagan and her husband, Alan, have given "a full-service and safety inspection on the bike, as well as put brand new Dunlop tires on (it) … it will be running perfect before the drawing, and it will be stored here at the shop for viewing," she said.
Crestview donation boxes are at CM; Restylers, 101 W. Edney Ave.; and STO, 5169 Ferdon Blvd. S. Another is at NWF Powersports in Milton.
The raffle ends with a noon to 1 p.m. drawing, giveaways and more on June 15 at the Crestview store. You don't have to be present to win. Barbecue sandwiches, chips and drinks will be available free of charge; a donation of $5 per plate is requested.
"You do not have to donate to eat," Flanagan said.
In addition, "Everyone who attends the event will get a 10 percent discount on parts and accessories when purchased at the time of the event."
Visit the Crestview Motorsports Facebook page, http://bit.ly/211avkK, for more information.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Motorcycle raffle set to offset Crestview homicide victims' funeral expenses