Shannon Hogan’s family doesn’t want her to be remembered as a sex trade worker or for her struggle with addiction.
“Shannon got down a path and unfortunately lived a tragic life and died a tragic death. I think my sister would like people to know she was her daughter. She loved her very much. She cared about her. It wasn’t about how the media is trying to portray her right now,” said Janice Hogan, Shannon's aunt.
Shannon Ashliegh Marie Hogan, 30, was killed following an incident in the Lake Street area early Tuesday morning. Thunder Bay Police Service say she was the victim of a violent assault and was involved in the sex trade.
Shannon’s father died when she was 12 years old and in her later teens she turned to drugs to numb the pain. She used drugs on and off ever since.
“She tried hard. She didn’t want this for herself either,” said Shannon’s cousin Jennifer Hogan.
“I think that’s why the family is having such a hard time her being labeled as a sex trade worker, like she chose prostitution as a career. That is not the case at all. You have to do what you have to do whether it’s somebody telling you ‘you better do this or else;’ whether you owe money … She shouldn’t be remembered like this or labeled like this. She has a name. Her name is Shannon Hogan. She is loved” said Jennifer.
Shannon was a bright, spirited young woman; she got straight As in high school, played ringette and hockey and loved kids.
“Her smile just brightened up the room like you can’t even believe. She was such a generous heart. Just friendly and would do anything for anybody. That’s the kind of girl she was,” said Jennifer.
“She was a very loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend. She was just so much more beyond her struggle with drug addiction.”
Janice remembers her niece as a bubbly, happy baby.
“She walked fast. She talked fast. She was quite intelligent. She was very spirited, lots of energy. She loved life,” she said.
Shannon’s death has been devastating to the entire family.
“I’m feeling very, very angry. I shed many tears but it’s the anger part that’s getting to me. She didn’t have to die that way,” said Janice.
With the news of Shannon’s death reported in the media, the sex trade has become a focal point and Janice Hogan said that isn’t what Shannon’s life and death is about.
“This is about somebody who struggled in mental health issues and tried to get help on and off but unfortunately wasn’t able to do that. This is about a murderer that needs to be caught,” Janice said.
The Hogan family is in contact with the police and are confident the person responsible for Shannon’s death will be found.
