Murder of Keyona Griffin & Her Aunt Cherletta Baber-Bey: Autopsy Result & Key Suspect Derrell Brown

The shocking murders of Keyona Griffin and her aunt Cherletta Baber-Bey have left a lasting impact on their community. The key suspect in this tragic case, Derrell Brown, remains at large, adding to the sense of unease and injustice. This article aims to shed light on the details of this case, from the victims’ backgrounds to the ongoing hunt for Brown.

Key Points

• On March 13, 2019, a chilling 911 call was made by Keyona Griffin from her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She reported that her aunt, Cherletta Baber-Bey, had been murdered and that she was next.
• Despite her brave call for help, both Keyona and Cherletta were found dead in their home hours later. The prime suspect, Derrell Brown, Cherletta’s boyfriend, has yet to be apprehended, leading to a nationwide manhunt.

The Victims

Keyona Griffin

Keyona Griffin was born on March 8, 1994, to her mother, Onyah Griffin. She grew up alongside her brother, Sanford Cummings II, in the United States. Keyona was of Afro-American descent and held American nationality. At the time of her death, she was 25 years old.

Keyona was described as a kind and loyal individual by those who knew her. She was also known to be quiet and reserved. Despite her quiet demeanour, her act of bravery during the tragic incident left a lasting impression on her community.

Cherletta Baber-Bey

Cherletta Baber-Bey, Keyona’s aunt, lived a peaceful life in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She shared her home with her boyfriend, Derrell “Jay” Brown, her niece, Keyona, and her mother, Jacqueline Baber-Bey. Cherletta was in her mid-40s at the time of her death.

Cherletta was known to be kind and trusting. She led a rather antisocial life, preferring to spend her time at home with her family.

Cherletta’s first significant relationship was with Derrell Brown, who was living with her at the time of the incident. Her peaceful and quiet life was tragically cut short on March 13, 2019.

The Incident (Murders of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey)

Detailed Account of the Incident on 13 March 2019

On the fateful day of March 13, 2019, a horrific incident unfolded at 553 Sheldon Avenue SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Keyona Griffin and her aunt, Cherletta Baber-Bey, were brutally murdered in their home. The prime suspect in this case is Derrell Demon Brown, Cherletta’s boyfriend, who lived with them at the time.

911 Call by Keyona Griffin and Police Response

In a desperate plea for help, Keyona made a chilling 911 call, reporting that her aunt had been murdered and that she feared she would be next.

Despite her urgent call, there was a miscommunication, and the operator did not relay the crucial information about the murder to the police.

Three officers from the Grand Rapids Police arrived at the location seven minutes and 41 seconds after Keyona’s call ended.

However, they found no evidence of a crime scene from outside the locked house. After several failed attempts to gain entry and contact anyone inside, the officers left the scene three minutes and 42 seconds later.

Discovery of the Crime Scene by Sanford Cummings II (brother of Keyona Griffin)

Two hours and 18 minutes after Keyona’s 911 call, another call was made from the same house. This time, it was Keyona’s brother, Sanford Cummings II, who discovered the gruesome scene.

He found Keyona deceased on the floor of an upstairs bedroom, shot four times, including once in the face.

He also discovered Cherletta’s body in another bedroom, lying under a blanket on her bed with a fatal gunshot wound to the back of her head.

The police returned to the scene and confirmed the tragic deaths of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey.

Autopsy Results of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey

Autopsy Results of Keyona Griffin

The autopsy report revealed that Keyona Griffin had been shot four times, with one of the bullets striking her in the face. The brutality of the attack was evident, and the cause of death was confirmed as multiple gunshot wounds.

Autopsy Results of Cherletta Baber-Bey

Cherletta Baber-Bey’s autopsy showed that she had been shot in the back of the head. She was found lying under a blanket on her bed, with an iPad still playing beside her, indicating that she was likely unaware of the impending attack. The cause of death was confirmed as a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

The Suspect – Derrell Demon Brown

Who is Derrell Demon Brown?

Derrell Demon Brown, also known as “Jay,” is the prime suspect in the murders of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey.

He was Cherletta’s boyfriend and lived with her, Keyona, and Jacqueline Baber-Bey at the time of the incident. Despite living with them for about two years, the family knew little about him.

Relationship with Cherletta Baber-Bey

Derrell Brown was Cherletta’s first significant partner. They spent most of their time in their bedroom and kept to themselves. The family reported that they did not interact with him often and did not have a favorable opinion of him.

Previous Criminal Records

Brown had a history of criminal activity, including jail time for failure to pay child support. His true identity was revealed when detectives found old ‘jail mail’ letters to Cherletta from Brown in her closet. In these letters, Brown told Cherletta that his name was Derrell, but he went by Jay.

Evidence Linking Him to the Crime

Several pieces of evidence link Brown to the crime. A 9 mm Hi-Point pistol, matched to casings recovered at the crime scene, was found discarded in an alley near the murder site.

An empty Hi-Point gun box was found in Cherletta’s bedroom, containing a purchase permit with the name of a woman Brown had previously dated.

This woman had reported the gun stolen around the same time she was dating Brown, further linking him to the weapon used in the crime.

Surveillance footage also captured Brown’s movements on the day of the murders, showing him in the vicinity of the crime scene. Despite these leads, Brown remains at large.

The Investigation and Manhunt of Derrell Brown

Initial Investigation Findings – Discovery of the Murder Weapon

The initial investigation led to the discovery of a 9 mm Hi-Point pistol in an alley near the crime scene. The pistol was matched to casings found at the scene, linking it to the murders.

An empty gun box for the same model was found in Cherletta’s bedroom, further solidifying the connection. The gun had been reported stolen by a woman who had previously dated Brown, adding another layer of evidence against him.

Surveillance Footage of Brown

Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation. Cameras captured Brown’s movements on the day of the murders, showing him in the vicinity of the crime scene.

Even as detectives were combing through the crime scene, cameras recorded Brown on foot, a mile north of the location, two hours after the bodies had been found.

The Ongoing Manhunt for Derrell Demon Brown, Efforts by US Marshals and the Reward for Information

The manhunt for Derrell Brown is still ongoing, with the US Marshals joining the search. Brown has been added to the US Marshals‘ Top 15 Most Wanted list, indicating the seriousness of his crimes.

A reward of $25,000 has been offered for information leading to his capture, in an effort to encourage public assistance in the manhunt.

Current Status of the Investigations of Murder of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey

Despite the extensive investigation and manhunt, Brown remains at large. The case is still open, and efforts to apprehend Brown continue. The tragic murders of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey remain a stark reminder of the justice yet to be served.

Conclusion

The brutal murders of Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey have left a deep scar on their community. The fear and uncertainty caused by the fact that the prime suspect, Derrell Brown, remains at large have only added to the community’s distress.

Their friends, family, and community members continue to seek closure and justice for their untimely deaths. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the relentless pursuit of justice.

The hope remains that Brown will be apprehended soon, and justice will finally be served for Keyona and Cherletta.

Please share this article to help spread awareness about this ongoing case. Your share could potentially reach someone with crucial information that could lead to justice for Keyona Griffin and Cherletta Baber-Bey.

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