Liz Hilderbrand, Writer

This is where Josiah lay for 14 months.
I call it his grave.

Sometime after midnight on the night of June 7, 2019, my son Josiah was murdered during a carjacking on a dark, high desert highway while passing through the Yakama Reservation on his way to see a Dead & Company concert at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington state.

Josiah was one of seven killed in a span of 14 hours. It was the 4th largest mass killing in the United States in 2019. The men who murdered him went on to commit the White Swan Murders hours after leaving Josiah’s dead body down an embankment from the side of Hwy 97. Fourteen months after he was killed and discarded, we finally found his remains.

Although substantial evidence was gathered, federal prosecutors opted to use his murder for their own benefit offering immunity to the suspects as a part of a plea agreement. They never filed charges.
I am continuing to advocate for justice for Josiah as the case has been handed from the federal government to the Yakima County District Attorney.

Your likes, shares, and follows both here and across social media will help immensely. Find me across social media: @rememberthebirds

There are many pieces on this site that speak to this story. I encourage you to read and share as well as listen to the podcast I did with Real Crime Profile podcast.

This site serves as a home base while I pen Remember the Birds, true crime memoir about love, loss and resiliency. I am currently seeking a literary agent.

Thanks so much! Liz, Josiah’s mom and advocate.

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Josiah’s Mom

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17 thoughts on “Liz Hilderbrand, Writer”

  3. Liz, I loved reading your inspiring and empowering account of your journey. The power of language and of speaking out is strongly felt throughout. Your rituals around the grave and the images were simply beautiful. I am grateful to you for sharing your experiences, and for the fact that our paths have crossed.

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  5. Liz, I’ve been here since your journey started, I’m in awe of your strength & perseverance. I know Josiah is walking right beside you every step of the way grinning from ear to ear he can feel the enormous amount of love ❤️ you carry in your heart for him, your beautiful son who was taken too soon. I haven’t met you in person yet someday I would love to exchange a hug, until then know you are not alone we are all here for you always, sending so much love to you &
    Jo Jo may he rest peacefully while he waits until you meet again god bless!! NFA!!

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  6. Thank you Liz for sharing your incredible story. Unfortunately I know your pain all too well. On a beautiful sunny evening of June 24, 2022 my amazing 20 year old daughter and her equally brilliant 19 year old best friend lost their lives to a “distracted” driver. I have to add quotation marks because the McKinney, TX police decided a blood test was unnecessary and the driver was sent home to sleep in his very own bed that night. And so, we may never truly know the truth. I’m sure the driver’s past history which included being county commissioner to a neighboring county had no role in the matter. Regardless, since then, we’ve done everything we’ve known to do. As you well know, going through the process of the death of a child is agony enough, not something anyone plans for much less becomes educated about, and you depend on the lawyers and other legal systems that surround you to do right by you because it’s supposed to be their calling. But in hindsight, at every turn, we can’t help but feel we’ve been taking advantage of whether it’s been by the police, the lawyers who have squeezed money out of us every chance they’ve had… The list goes on and on. Similar to you, I have started processing my grief through a blog I created. The goal of this is unique in that it that it aims to provide a bridge so others know how to approach those of us suddenly thrown onto this new isolated island of grief. I invite you to check it out .. https://www.londynbridge.com/ Thank you again for bearing your soul. Your son was truly lucky to have such an amazing mother.
    -Amy Tippett

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    • Hi Amy! I am so sorry for the loss of your young daughter and her friend. I have another friend who lost her son in very much the same way you did, distracted with no consequences in a small town where the offender was connected. It’s a pain and re-victimization that I would wish on no one. I will check out your page and am happy to be connected here. Nothing will ever fill or fix what’s been lost, but I think it’s such a testament to the goodness that exists that people like you and I can find comfort in the presence of complete strangers. Sending you, your family and your daughter’s best friend’s family tons of love. Keep advocating for as long as it brings you solace… do I want justice? Of course, but in the end of the day, I know that the very act of me trying will settle the question of “Did I try hard enough?” Big hugs, Liz

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  7. Hi Liz,

    I listened to your interview for the podcast today, and I cried when you cried. I’m so sorry, not only for your loss, but for having to go through this “war” just to be recognized as a victim! I hope you’ll be able to finish your book soon. I know nothing can replace your loss, or bring Josiah back – what a handsome young man!, but I hope your strength will persevere over the grief, and that you’ll keep finding beauty in every sunset. Much love ❤️

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    • Thank you Gisela for both listening and your kind words! I am feeling stronger than ever… I suppose the grief and determination have finally strengthened my “life” muscles. I’m so grateful to have the support of people like you!! xo Liz

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  8. Hi Liz,

    I listened to your interview for the podcast today, and I cried when you cried. I’m so sorry, not only for your loss, but for having to go through this “war” just to be recognized as a victim! I hope you’ll be able to finish your book soon. I know nothing can replace your loss, or bring Josiah back – what a handsome young man!, but I hope your strength will persevere over the grief, and that you’ll keep finding beauty in every sunset. Much love ❤️

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