Fundraiser to cover Justin Slaven funeral expenses

Fundraiser to cover Justin Slaven funeral expenses

STRUTHERS

An online fundraiser started by a former neighbor shortly after 23-year-old Justin Slaven’s death to help pay for funeral expenses will conclude Monday night.

As of 10:50 a.m. Monday, $3,335 had been raised by 98 people in just over 24 hours. An anonymous donor has also agreed to match the final amount collected.

LeeAnn Jannone of Struthers, who created the fundraiser, said she’d set the initial goal at $2,000, but wondered if she’d be able to reach even $1,000. After quickly exceeding that amount, she raised it to $4,000.

On the fundraiser’s website,http://www.gofundme.com/7q9huo, Jannone encourages all who visit the site to either donate or to share word of the fundraiser with others, noting that every dollar counts. Jannone added that she’s “forever so grateful to be able to hand this money to the funeral home” on behalf of Robert Slaven, Justin Slaven’s father.

Slaven was found dead of a gunshot wound in the basement of his 433 Seventh St. residence late Thursday, and his mother, 44-year-old Leslie Slaven, also was found there, wound and unconscious.

Police are calling the incident an apparent murder-suicide attempt.