Over the past three years I have intentionally kept the circumstances surrounding Christian’s death away from Magnolia Son. Magnolia Son has been the positive to come out of a very negative event in our lives. Today I am making an exception to that unspoken rule because I think it would be important to Christian for the last chapter of his life to be told. Magnolia Son is our way of honoring Christian….. but Christian honored “living” every day. There were individuals who tried to take that away from him; who tried to rewrite the last chapter of his life for their own gain.
It has been a long hard fight over the past three years to discern facts from fiction. It has been very disheartening to find that people who should be fighting for the victims oftentimes fight harder to protect the wrong doer. It became apparent over the past few months that this story is much bigger than Christian. His story could be your story… or your child’s story…. or your mother or father , sister or brother. Our priority will always be Christian but we feel that it is also important to educate victims of violence to not sit back and just accept…. Challenge and question. Do not allow someone else to force their truth to become yours.
We ask that you share this story on social media with your family and friends and ask them to share it. Thousands of people can be reached by taking less than 5 seconds of your time. This small action may give someone out there the motivation they need to ask questions and search for answers in order to find a sense of closure for their own loss. Magnolia Son’s mission is about helping others and in sharing this story you will help us honor Christian not in death ….. but honor his life.
Because I not only know Christian’s family but I knew him personally and never have I or will I believe he took his own life. A many days he came in my office just talking in general about life, his family, his plans for the future. So you know who you are and so do GOD and patience have allowed his family and real friends to come close to the truth and find closure.
I knew Christian most of his life from a little turd to a young man with a big heart and a big outlook on life. It hurts my heart to know that our own police department would not go the extra mile for a young man that died a mysterious death. Whether Christian took his own life, or someone took his life from him, this could be closure for his family and bring the guilty to justice. I personally know most of Christian’s family and it breaks my heart knowing that after this length of time, no one has been held accountable yet for the wrong doing. With love and respect for the Andreacchio family, my heart is with you.
I have never met you, but I am a good friend of Melissa Flanagan Buganski. I have been brought to tears by both sadness and happiness because of your stories. I applaud your insistence to seek the truth. I would have been honored to know Christian and even more honored to have had a beer with him!! Fair winds and following seas…and may you, as his momma, find ✌️. Love and hugs from SC!!
Any friend of Melissa’s would have been a friend of his. And he would have flirted with you outrageously and had you laughing. You would have loved him. Melissa was always coming home and taking my kids bowling or to play pool. She was the cool cuz!! Thank you for reading my attempts at trying to encapsulate Christian in words which is impossible.
This is so sweet. You would have loved Christian as we all did. To know was to love. I only hope I have Rae and Todds courage if I ever face a tragedy. I am lucky to call them my family/friend
My prayers go out to you and your family Rae as you pursue justice for your son Christian! I pray that God will continue to guide and direct you through your quest to make sure these selfish killers does not get away with taking a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a cousin and most of all a friend away from the ones who loved and knew him the best! Thanks for being a beacon that other mothers can follow who are seeking justice for their loved ones. I know you will continue to follow your gut and mother’s intuition that is placed there by God. Be blessed, stay focus and keep the faith!
The Lord has seen all and knows all , one day the truth will come out , I didn’t know him , but I lost a son myself
I loved him so , and pray for his family. I can’t fathom what all are going through.
– Leigh Anne Whittle
(Christian’s 5th grade teacher)
I don’t have words. But Rae, you and Todd know how we feel. Love us some Christian I have shared and shared
I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost my heart 10 years ago but not like this. It’s bad enough to lose your son in a wreck but to have him intentionally taken from you? My prayers are with you for you are a much better person than I could be in these circumstances. May God be with your family and help you get justice for your baby.
I’m hoping you receive the justice so needed Mrs Rae
I lost a son 10/29/16 but it was from Asthma at age 23 and when he died… I died. We are hurt beyond anyone’s imagination. So, I can’t imagine what you and your family are going through. I pray for your family and pray that you all get closure. People don’t kick people when they are already down.
I left Meridian in 1970 but I know there are so many good-hearted people there and this page is an example of good people reaching out to others who are in pain. May God bless you and your work.