MACON, Ga. — A Macon journalist transformed the darkest moment of his life into a mission of compassion and advocacy.
Following the tragic murder of his father in 2017, Justin Baxley, with 11Alive's sister station, WMAZ, launched the "More Than a Number" website.
The goal of this project? To honor lives lost to violent crime, support their loved ones and promote more empathetic journalism.
Justin's father, Michael Baxley, was 53 years old when he was gunned down during a robbery in his Macon home in 2017. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office delivered the devastating news -- leaving Justin to grapple with the aftermath.
"My life changed in that moment," Justin recalled the moment when the investigator called him that day. "She said, 'Justin, we found your dad dead.'"
That pain was compounded by a barrage of calls from reporters seeking interviews.
"Within two hours, I received five phone calls asking for interviews," Justin said.
But despite his repeated requests for time to grieve, the calls persisted.
After the coroner left, Justin faced the gruesome task of cleaning up the crime scene himself, unable to afford professional cleanup services.
"Unless I had $1,200, we weren't going to get somebody out there to clean it," he said
Struggling with grief and financial strain, Justin later channeled his pain into purpose. He created WMAZ's "More Than a Number" website to not only honor those lost to violent crime but also to support their families with resources and collaborate with law enforcement to foster a safer, more compassionate community.
"So far, we've received 61 submissions," Justin shared, highlighting the site's impact.
The platform allows families to share stories, photos and memories of their loved ones -- transforming victims into more than mere statistics.
The initiative also aims to teach journalists to approach traumatic events with greater empathy and sensitivity.
"You've got a family who's grieving, who's probably going through the worst day of their life. The last thing they may want to do right now is talk," Justin emphasized.
He holds workshops for news organizations, encouraging a focus on the victim's humanity over the sensationalism of the story.
Sgt. Coleman Lewis from the Bibb County Sheriff's Office praised the program's effectiveness in gathering valuable crime tips.
"If you give them that minute to talk when they're ready, you get much more information, you get better interviews," he said.
Justin's dedication to changing the narrative around crime reporting has resonated with many.
"It's some of the hardest things I've ever had to do — getting in front of my peers and basically telling them, like, 'Hey, we're doing this the wrong way. We should try something else,'" he admitted
Reflecting on his father's legacy, Justin said, "His death bonded us now. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my dad."
Through "More Than a Number," Justin ensures his father is remembered as more than a statistic.
"My dad is no longer No. 27. He's not just a victim anymore," he said.
Justin's advocacy through "More Than a Number" continues to inspire and support countless families, proving that even in the darkest times, compassion and purpose can shine through.
For anyone wanting to share their loved one's legacy with 11Alive, please fill out the form below.