Manassas Murder Suspect Sued by Brother for Mother's Remains

The case of Joaquin Shadow Rams who stands accused of killing his 15-month-old son has taken another troubling turn—now that Rams' brother is suing him for their mother's remains which were found in a storage locker, the Washington Post reports. 

Prosecutors alleged Rams, of Manassas, drowned his son Prince McLeod Rams in November 2012 during a court ordered visit to elder Rams' home. He was charged in January with 1st degree murder in the toddler's death and is facing the death penalty. 

Now his half-brother, Joseph Velez, of Florida, has filed a lawsuit in Manassas seeking the remains of their mother, Alma Collins,' as well her other belongings in Rams' possession since her 2007 death in Prince William County, the Post reports. 

A special grand jury convened in secret in June in Manassas, supposedly to investigate Collins' death which was ruled a suicide—a manner of death long-questioned by her family members, according to reports. 

Family members believe Collins ashes were found during the execution of a police search warrant of a storage unit being rented by Rams.

It was searched by police looking for evidence in the homicide of Shawn Mason, Rams former girlfriend and mother of his son Joaquin Rams Jr. who was found shot to death in her Manassas apartment 10 years ago.
Police said the elder Rams discovered her body and remains a suspect and a person of interest in the case. 

Manassas search records do not reveal that Collins' remains were confiscated during the search of Rams' storage unit, but some search warrants documents remain sealed, the Post reports. 

Velez told an Associated Press reporter he is seeking his mother's remains so a proper ceremony can be held for her in Florida.