Justice for Amber
On June 18, 2023, police in Prestonsburg, Ky discovered the body of 38-year-old Amber Spradlin, a waitress local to the nearby community of Martin. Spradlin's aunt, Debbie Hall, would later allege that Spradlin was stabbed eleven times at a party--a particularly brutal murder for the small community she hailed from.
The case quickly sparked a series of demonstrations and questions about the town's system for handling 911 calls, with some citizens asserting corruption or misdirected emergency calls. In the months following Spradlin's death, family and friends have continued to demand "Justice for Amber" through protests, press conferences, and signs visible throughout the community. As of October 2023, no arrests have yet been announced in connection with the case.
Justice for Amber follows the family of Amber Spradlin as they cope in the first few weeks after her murder.
Family and friends of Spradlin mourn over her body during a visitation at Hall Funeral Home in Martin on June 22, 2023.
Protestors seeking public attention for Amber's case march past her former place of employment, The Brickhouse, in Prestonsburg.
A mourner guards the flame of a candle during a vigil for Amber at the David School in David, Ky on June 21, 2023.
Sisters Leetha Laferty and Lois Spradlin, aunts of Amber Spradlin, mourn together at Amber's funeral in Martin, Ky on June 24, 2023. "We are the broken-hearted," Lois whispers in time with officiating pastor Jason Johnson. "We are the crushed in spirit."
Melissa Samons, Amber's aunt, hugs a family friend after giving Amber's cat, Twinkles, to her. Amber's two cats would often wait at the window for her to get home, where they continued to sit even following her death.
Family of Amber meet with their lawyer before a press conference at the Floyd County Courthouse in Prestonsburg on June 29, 2023.
Spradlin's family members cry as they hold candles in her honor during a vigil at the David School in David, Ky on June 21, 2023.
The shovel used to bury Amber's casket lies on turf grass after her burial on June 26, 2023.