By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
The pastor and father of Delvonte Tisdale, the Charlotte teen whose mangled body was found on the lawns of suburban homes in Milton, Massachusetts, spoke to WCNC.com about Tisdale's death on Tuesday.
Pastor James Woodson of St. James Home of Fresh Start Church in Greensboro, where the Tisdale family lived prior to moving to Charlotte, told reporters they had no "conclusive evidence" that indicated the teen actually hid out on a flight bound for Boston, then fell to his death as the plane landed.
Phil Orlandella, director of communications at Logan International Airport, told the media that the area where Delvonte Tisdale's remains were found is "exactly the area where planes lower their landing gear" when approaching Logan International airport, and there was a flight from Charlotte that landed in Boston Logan last Monday night, shortly after Tisdale's remains were discovered.
When asked how his son got to Massachusetts, Anthony Tisdale replied, "I have no idea." He described his 16-year-old son as a hardworking young man who did not run the streets, played video games and loved the ROTC.
"My son was ecstatic with and loved Charlotte," said Anthony Tisdale, contradicting a statement Delvonte Tisdale's step-sister made to WCNC-TV when she said her brother didn’t want to be in the military and didn’t like living in North Carolina. She and her brother told reporters she believed her brother ran away from home and was headed to Baltimore.
Both the pastor and father said there was no argument the night the teen disappeared and that there was nothing out of the ordinary preceding Delvonte Tisdale's disappearance.
Anthony Tisdale, who works as a chef, said they had no family in the Boston area and that the last time he saw his son was on Sunday, November 14th. He described his family as "close knit" and added that Sunday was a "regular day" for the family.
"We had a pizza party and they played video games," said the elder Tisdale, who added that the last time he saw his son was around 10 p.m. Sunday when he told him goodnight.
When asked by reporters if he thought his son may have ran away, Anthony Tisdale replied, "I don't know."
The Tisdale's moved to Charlotte from Greensboro "for better opportunities as a family" said Anthony Tisdale. "It was a good start for everybody."
"You know the school system here, North Mecklenburg High, offered the ROTC program which he (Delvonte Tisdale) talked about since he's been here," said Anthony Tisdale, who lived in Baltimore, Maryland where Delvonte Tisdale was born, for about 13 years, but did not elaborate on when he left Baltimore or why.
A Neighbor of the Tisdale's, Carol Brinson said the family was always working together and had recently fixed up what once was a rundown property. She said they were always working on the lawn, raking leaves, trimming the bushes, and cutting the grass together.
While funeral arrangements for Delvonte are incomplete, Pastor Woodson asked that anyone wanting to help the family with burial expenses to send donations to Wesley Heights Mortuary, the funeral home handling the burial arrangements.
Prophet Terry Matthews, an employee of Wesley Heights Mortuary, told The Black Urban Times that the funeral home had not received Delvonte Tisdale's remains and did not know when they would.
Matthews, whose son attended the Air Force ROTC program with Delvonte Tisdale, described the teenager as "very respectful" and added that while taking the teen and his son home one night after a Renaissance Festival, he overheard Delvonte Tisdale talking about how much he loved the ROTC program.
"Delvonte was a very respectful boy. He and my son had been good friends since Delvonte arrived to Charlotte three months ago. He loved the ROTC and will be missed dearly by all that knew him," said Matthews.
Persons wishing to donate money may do so at: Wesley Heights Mortuary Service, 218 Wesley Heights Way, Charlotte, NC 28208, ATTN: Delvonte Tisdale Funeral
TISDALE FAMILY, PASTOR SPEAK WITH MEDIA
DELVONTE TISDALE'S BODY FOUND ON LAWNS OF MILTON, MASS HOMES
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