Shivangi Sinha
Hurricane Katrina uprooted countless families, but for individuals like Valerie Jeanmarie, the impact went far beyond the loss of a home or neighborhood. The years that followed were extremely challenging, with difficulties extending well beyond physical destruction. In Netflix’s ‘Katrina: Come Hell and High Water,’ she shared her personal experience, reflecting on the emotional and social consequences of the disaster. Through her testimony, she emerged as a voice not only for herself but also for many others affected by the hurricane.
Valerie Jeanmarie Settled Her Family Back in New Orleans After the Hurricane
In 2005, Valerie Jeanmarie lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her three children, Barry Jeanmarie, Troy Boudreaux Jr., and Princess Holmes. Life wasn’t perfect, but she felt content with her loving family and a stable home in the 9th Ward. When news of an approaching hurricane reached them in August 2005, they didn’t think much of it. Evacuation was voluntary, and like many before, they expected the warning to pass without incident. However, as the winds intensified and the rain poured relentlessly, Valerie quickly realized this was no ordinary storm and it was the beginning of a nightmare.
Valerie desperately searched for a safe shelter, but every option was either closed or overcrowded. She eventually brought her children to the Superdome, where thousands had gathered. Conditions there were dire and it was overcrowded, unsanitary, and plagued by allegations of mismanagement and racial disparities in aid distribution. After days of confinement, she finally managed to leave and sought refuge with family in another state. Returning to New Orleans proved difficult. The city’s recovery was slow, with widespread neglect in devastated areas. Over time, Valerie secured housing as a Section 8 tenant (a federal program providing rent assistance) and eventually settled in Bywater, Louisiana, to rebuild her life. She spent more than a decade there.
Valerie Jeanmarie Carries Pieces of Her Son’s Memory Even Today
On June 15, 2011, Valerie Jeanmarie’s life changed forever when she learned that her son, Barry Jeanmarie, had been shot six times on the 1400 block of Mazant Street. Her world collapsed in an instant and it was made worse by the fact that the police were unable to immediately identify a suspect. Valerie believed her son was killed over an allegation of stealing a bike and knew he had been with friends that day. Determined to seek justice, she began speaking publicly, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Valerie highlighted how her son’s murder reflected the growing violence in her community, connecting it to systemic failures, under-policing, and long-standing neglect. She stood with other families who had lost loved ones to senseless violence and became a strong advocate for reform and safety in her neighborhood. In 2013, Frank Haynes was arrested and later convicted of second-degree murder in Barry’s death. To this day, Valerie carries a placard reading “R.I.P. Lil Barry” on her bike to keep her son’s memory alive.
In 2023, Valerie made headlines once again when she clashed with the Housing Authority of New Orleans over her Section 8 rental. After requesting long-overdue repairs, the landlord asked her to vacate, prompting Valerie to take her case to the HANO Board of Commissioners. While her current whereabouts remain unclear, she is believed to still reside in New Orleans, continuing to fight for justice, dignity, and the community she has always called home. Strong-willed and resilient, Valerie Jeanmarie remains a voice for those who refuse to be silenced.
Read More: Barry Jeanmarie’s Murder: Where is Frank Haynes Now?
