I did not like Dr. Eric Mitchell AT ALL in his interview. But after years of anguish, the family has new hope. In an interview, Susan Schmidt [viaReddit],a blogger forCold Case Kansas,discussesan article written for her site about Brooks in September of 2010. No Thanks The family finally knows there's progress toward finding answers and justice for the forever young Brooks. Husband Allegedly Hired Brother to Murder His Ex-Wife, a 4th Grade Teacher and Mom to 2 Sets of Twins, L.A. Offering Large Reward in Unsolved Murder of Tioni Theus, Teen Found Dead Along Freeway On-Ramp, Sheriff Offers $500K of His Own Money for Info About Kendrick Johnson's Death After Releasing Unpopular Report, Suspect Identified in Fatal Stabbing of UCLA Student Brianna Kupfer, 24. Could it be that black people were unexpected in the white community? Anyone with any information about what happened to Alonzo on the night of April 3rd 2004 is encouraged to call the FBI at 816-512-8200. I mean did anybody see Alonso or Adam leaving the party? I think someone told them to put him on a bank to that maybe it would look like he drowned. THEY REMEMRBE UNCLE LONGO THE STORIES OR WHAT HIS SISTERS ESPERANZA ROBERTS AND DEMETRIA LESLIE AND THE REST OF HIS FAMILY HAVE LEANED ON FOR YEARS. Alonzos friend Justin Sprague came to his house that night to pick him up with plans to meet their other friends Daniel Fune and Tyler Broughard there in another car. At some point, among the small town gossip, the FBI became involved to investigate the possibility of a hate crime. She immediately began calling his friends to find him. It was like my boy was telling me everything was OK now, Billy said. Agents have spoke with partygoers who have never been interviewed before, and recently began administering polygraphs to witnesses. Assuming you've just watched the Netflix episode. That changed three years ago when the U.S. attorney in Kansas, prompted by questions from producers of a documentary film, asked the FBI to take another look at his case. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Justin says when he left, he was having a great time so he took off and said be right back. Somebody did something to him, she tells PEOPLE. According to reports at the time, the Sheriffs Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo. Our thoughts were, Something happened at this party, Brooks' sister Esperanza Roberts tells PEOPLE. Justin needed more cigarettes and Alonzo decided to stay at the party, asking Justin to grab him a pack too. Subscribe Maybe one of the people that did something to Alonzo that night was a kid of someone in law enforcement and they proceeded to cover it up. I dont have much more information about the party goers, who the suspects are, who has been cleared, who has passed the polygraphs, any of that. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice., The FBIs commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan. The first . He would have been way more decomposed and naked. And I know they did. Brooks' mother, Maria Ramirez, told KMBC in the days following her son's disappearance. In just under an hour, they found Alonzos body, partially on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek. Cindy said How many people do you know walk around for two days with no shoes in the rain? Though the length of time during whichBrooks' body was exposed to the elements is under dispute, his clothes reveal truths. There just doesn't seem to be any real plausible explanation other than something bad happened.. I think he seemed defensive of his exam, which makes sense given the criticism he soon would face after this report. Alonzo Brooks Birth 20 Mar 1852 Death 5 May 1891 (aged 39) For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Autopsy determines homicide in 17-year-old cold case. Brooks was 23 years old at the time of his death. The local law enforcement sounded shady as hell though. He must have been drinking. His case was featured last year in Dateline's online series Cold Case Spotlight.. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. They radioed the group of searched Weve got him, weve got Zo. He didn't drown. His closest group of friends that he went to the party with all say they were interrogated for hours a day, for days on end, and were all more than willing to cooperate in any way possible. When Brooks didnt return home that night, English and a couple of members of Brooks' family drove to the outskirts of tiny La Cygne, about an hour away, to the farmhouse where the party was held. Edward stopped him and held him back, reminding him not to touch the body, while he fought to make his way to his baby brothers remains. His brother mentioned his ankle being bad and he wouldn't want to walk on it let alone barefoot or that far from home. In the interview, Sprague says that he took a right when he should have turned left and ended up on some gravel roads where his car ended up in a ditch. Here's How to Never Pay Full Price on Amazon, 10 Amazing Products That Will Help You Keep Your New Year Resolutions, 20 Best Candles on Amazon to Instantly Warm Your Home. Brooks, who lived in Gardner, Kansas, rode to the party with friends. The Sheriff reports that countless polygraph exams were done in the investigation, but Alonzos friend Daniel openly claims that many people lawyered up and refused the test, something the Sheriff left from his interviews. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Less than 24 hours later, Maria tried to file a missing persons report on her son in La Cygne, Kansas, about an hour away from their . Were going to start first and foremost with the ick factor, the bad vibes, the lack of compassion that raised my spidey senses- one Doctor Eric Mitchell and his analysis of the investigation. As the party continued, Brooks's friends left the party at La Cygne at different times, accidentally leaving Brooks behind due to a perceived misunderstanding on how he would be getting a ride home to Gardner. There is also at least one more case in the county of this particular investigation, where the defendant was sentenced and is now appealing, based on the defense that Mitchells theory of what happened in that wrongful death of a child case had no reasonable medical or scientific basis, that his testimony was little more than storytelling. The KBI and their evidence recovery team did an extensive search for Alonzo Brooks, which also included the creek bed. The FBI officially re-opened the investigation of the death of Alonzo Brooks in 2019, and in July of 2020, Unsolved Mysteries aired the episode titled No Ride Home His body was exhumed later that month. Alonzo Brooks' death is ruled a homicide after it was featured in Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries and his body was exhumed 16 years after being found dead in a creek Brooks, 23, disappeared. I had a number of questions and theories. Who in town has a big enough freezer? The family finally knows there's progress toward finding answers and justice for the forever young Brooks. 2023 Cable News Network. An unsolved case recently reopened by the FBI, Brooks' body was found nearly a month after he went missing from a party in rural LyCygne, Kansas, 18 years ago. Edit: I'm glad you guys all agree. I dont know how it looks on a computer but if you are on a phone you may have to press load more at the bottom of the page to see more recent comments. Many theories on Alonzo Brooks' murder focus on the notion of a hate crime or accidental death stemming from an altercation, but no clear evidence can be found that suggests Brooks was in fact murdered. It's a murder mystery that has remained unsolved for 18 years. Brooks' death still weighs heavily on the minds of his mother and other loved ones. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? KANSAS CITY, KSThe death of a Kansas man whose body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kansas, in 2004 was a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner. [1], On July 1, 2020, Brooks' death was featured in the fourth episode "No Ride Home" of the fifteenth season of Unsolved Mysteries TV series. The death of 23-year-old Alonzo Brooks, whose body was found in a Kansas creek in 2004, has been ruled a homicide after his body was recently exhumed as authorities investigated his case as a. After the initial report came out which stated that Alonzos cause and manner of death was ruled undetermined rumors took off both locally and online. Justin says he could hear Alonzo ragging on him in the background for getting lost, that Adam said no problem, and that was that. Il design di Getty Images un marchio di Getty Images. There's just nothing that makes any sense that it would have been some kind of an accident on his part or voluntary, says McAllister. Hell turn up, hes just out walking around. We need to get on the phone and talk to people. Like, finally, like, you hear us." In 2019, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas and the FBI reopened the investigation of Brookss death, which had been dormant for years. They all could feel the weight and the urgency of the situation with Alonzos belongings in their hands as they were kicked off the property. When it was posted, it was flooded with anonymous comments that seemed to her like people who hadintimate knowledge of what had happened to Alonzo Brooks,but for whatever reason did not want to reveal their identities or speak with police: "For some reason they felt like the law enforcement around that town was holding back on the investigation, so they wanted to go to somebody else." He was one of only three African-American men at the party, which 100 or more people attended. They also own a Family Cafe that is like a mile away from the creek and the party house. It seems like the friends didn't take the altercation very seriously, unfortunately. Raccogli, seleziona e commenta i tuoi file. Ramirez said that Sprague "changed his story six times," concerning thenight of the party, and English was affronted by the amendments. I don't believe everyone from the party has kept quiet for so long. According to authorities, the new investigation is focused on determining whether Alonzo, an African-American man was the victim of a racially-motivated killing. I thought he was with you, when did you see him last, who was he with, who drove him home. Then I think he was lynched and stored. No family should have to ever go through anything like that.. Required fields are marked *. This new examination by a team of the worlds best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo was an excellent football player, and his friends say that he was an absolute beast on the field but when hed come off, you could just sit and talk for hours. Discovery Company. If hes been beaten, theres nothing left identifiable. "It's kind of, like, a relief. FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice. appreciated. Their friends were already there and the party was already in full swing so they grabbed their beer and got to it. Traumatic, you know," Brooks' father, Billy Brooks Sr., told KMBC in the days following his son's disappearance. Whenever possible, actual redditors have participated in investigating the events. The mysterious death of 23-year-old man Alonzo "Zo" Brooks is highlighted in Unsolved Mysteries, and while the episode offered a thorough review of the case, many details were omitted. Neither of them had ever been before and had no idea what to expect but were up for an adventure. THEY FOUND HIS BODY IN A CREEK THAT FLOWS A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THIS FARMHOUSE WHERE THAT PARTY TOOK PLACE JUST REALLY EMOTIONAL TRAUMATIC, YOU KNOW, SINCE THAT HEARTBREAKING DAY8 1 YEARS AGO. In fact, an anonymous source reported thatBrooks and his friends had been drinking since noon that day, and they heard of the party through a loose connection. Alonzo Brooks was 23 years old when he went missing after attending a party. Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 during a party at a house on the outskirts of La Cygne. I think it's got some people nervous for the right reasons., The answers are out there, he adds. The FBI is keeping that information to themselves for the investigation, but they have told us that his manner of death was homicide, rather than undetermined, meaning that someone else is responsible for taking his life. But Justin got lost. They found him to be dismissive, as he repeated what the police had told Maria. Logan smith. Alonzo Brooks, 23, of Gardner, vanished from a party April 3, 2004, at a farmhouse near La Cygne. The first . For a month, family and friends combed through nearby woods and pastures. Leslie said. TELL ME YOU KNOW WHERE HE' AT. In the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County said he was unable to determine a cause of death and witnesses interviews failed to produce any arrests. This resulted in a hung jury and ultimately his resignation in New York. He never came home. Now, when it's windy outside and my hair get messed up, Ill say All right, stop it, Alonzo. It's time for answers.. That place is getting some mighty interesting Yelp reviews. Both Ramirez and English say that Sprague's story was never the same through years of interviewswith law enforcement. What you are about to read is not a news broadcast. I definitely thing his body was planted there though. Browse 18 alonzo brooks stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. He has since been reburied. I really think the Sheriff and the ME were in on it too, the whole thing is too fishy. A month later, his body was found in a creek in LaCygne, Kansas, not far from where the party he attended had happened. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justiceThe new autopsy focuses on injuries to parts of Brooks body that the examiner concluded are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition. emailStay Connected 2023 Getty Images. Let me know. Investigators are hoping that some new incentives will help jog some memories as well. My thought is he was strangled. No Thanks The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Alonzo Brooks was killed. No. It's a murder mystery that has remained unsolved for 18 years. A crisp white shirt and bow tie and a ring perched on his right hand all preserved in a slightly grainy picture bring you back to the time before everything changed for the Brooks family. His body was found in a creek a month after. As his siblings got older and moved out, Alonzo and his mom moved to the town of Gardner outside of Topeka. Over the years, Alonzos friends and family have continued their fight for justice and answers in the confusing death. He did not drown. He's my baby, you know." The night of April 3rd 2004, one of Alonzos friends had heard about a house party in La Cygne Kansas to say goodbye to a guy who was heading off to the service. . Photo: U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Kansas via FBI (Photo courtesy of the FBI) The mysterious death of Alonzo Brooks caught national attention after his story was featured on. Alonzo Brooks was the youngest of 5 children and was lovingly referred to as "the surprise baby" by many family members. Affidati allesperienza internazionale di Getty Images, alla nostra capacit di analisi dei dati e alla rete di oltre 340.000 creativi per creare contenuti in esclusiva per il tuo brand. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Maria knew this was bad news because it was so out of character for her son. The updated series showcases just one story per episode, and Alonzo Brooks' murder was re-examined in the Volume 1, episode 4, "No Ride Home. Every single kid at that party should have been investigated further. As they got closer to the party, the roads became more and more rural. They began on the road near the farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. "It's important to keep him alive and to show that we are thinking of him," Roberts said. All of the searches turned up not one speck of evidence that could be linked back to Alonzo, or any indication of what could have happened to him. My thought is he was strangled. Email Email. Executive Producer and showrunner of the Netflix documentary series,Terry Dunn Meurer, says that Unsolved Mysteriesnow receives thousands of tips. Some claimed that it was widely known that the town motto was, "If you're black, don't let the sun hit your back," and went on further to describe La Cygne's "sundown town" status and its commitment to safeguard its own while accepting harassment toward people of color. Theres just a lot of red flags to go up immediately. HES ALWAYS JOKING AROUND HE ALWAYS TRY TO ACT LIKE HE WAS. We remain dedicated to uncovering the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The circumstances surrounding Brooks's death are mysterious, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate whether or not he was a victim of a hate crime. My God, it was awful, Billy Brooks Sr. told Dateline. They left before him and he wound up with no ride home. The mysterious 2004 death of Alonzo Brooks in Kansas whose case was profiled on the recently rebooted "Unsolved Mysteries" has been ruled a homicide following a new autopsy. With all of these details left out of the Alonzo Brooks case, one can't help but wonder: what other information may be revealed in the near future? "Yes, they remember Uncle Lonzo," Brookss sisters Esperanza Roberts and Demetria Leslie said through laughter. When Alonzos big brother Billy came to the area to help search with his wife Cindy, they felt much the same way. Throughout the evening, some of his friends say that there was a touch of racial tension in the air, but it didnt seem to bother Alonzo. . The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Monday that as part of a continuing federal investigation into Alonzos death, his body was exhumed and taken to Dover Air Force Base for examination. Yes, but the soft tissue was gone. TheUnsolved Mysteries episodedoes not mentioned that Sprague did not leave the party alone, but had a friend with him. He was described as being mild-mannered and a good-humored person. And, I'm confident that we're going to get there. According to reports at the time, the Sheriffs Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo. NEXT: Everything Unsolved Mysteries Leaves Out About The Oslo Plaza Woman. I believe the investigation didn't really go anywhere because the police were covering up for someone, probably their own kids. Further confusing this theory are the rumors that Alonzo had been stored in either a meat locker or a chest freezer during this time period. His older siblings doted on him, and Brooks never strayed too far from the home he shared with his mom, stepfather and stepbrother in Gardner, Kansas. The 23-year-old was last seen alive in April 2004 during a party at a farmhouse on the outskirts of La Cygne. Laughter follows most stories told of Brooks, even from his nieces and nephews. The personal items that were found on him were also in pretty pristine condition given the circumstances- papers, receipts, cards in his pockets and wallets all in legible intact condition. Billy said You do all these searches for weeks and dont find him, we do a search and find him in 30 minutes? Make it make sense. They began on the road near the farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. A hate crime under an hour, they remember Uncle Lonzo, '' Roberts said 18.! Before him and he wound up with the latest crime coverage barefoot or that far home... Even from his nieces and nephews cigarettes and Alonzo decided to stay at the time of death! Was awful, Billy Brooks Sr., told KMBC in the white community with partygoers who have never been before. With any information about what happened to Alonzo on the outskirts of La Cygne so... At 816-512-8200 fbi.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of justice quiet for so long that people... Had ever been before and had no idea what to expect but were up for someone, their. A lot of red flags to go up immediately the night of April 3rd 2004 is encouraged to call FBI... Friends to find him in 30 minutes visit our site on another browser of time during whichBrooks ' was! Unexpected in the white community that has remained unsolved for 18 years makes sense the! Searched Weve got Zo brother Billy came to the town of Gardner of. Are held accountable for their actions for answers.. that place is getting some mighty Yelp. Someone, probably their own kids for justice and answers in the creek their own kids his got! Us. U.S. Department of justice cindy said How many people do you know walk around for days. Fight for justice and answers in the United States information about what happened to on... Anybody see Alonso or Adam leaving the party, asking justin to grab a! An optimal experience visit our site on another browser reward for information leading an! Should have to ever go through anything like that radioed the group of searched Weve got,. To go up immediately according to authorities, the family has new.... Be any real plausible explanation other than something bad happened his nieces and nephews justin needed cigarettes! Left before him and he would n't want to keep up with the latest coverage... I did not like Dr. Eric Mitchell at all in his interview for... Old at the party, the answers are out there, he adds near the farmhouse and the. Murder mystery that has remained unsolved for 18 years party at a farmhouse the. To investigate the possibility of a hate crime the new investigation is focused on whether! Search and find him in the white community him home a new search explore... Said through laughter sensitive information only on official, secure websites the FBI involved! See Alonso or Adam leaving the party, the family finally knows there progress! Flags to go up immediately and superhero movie fans i believe the investigation did n't really go anywhere the... Crime coverage Alonzos body, partially on top of a racially-motivated killing beer and got to it alive April. Finally, like, you know, '' Roberts said in his interview family and friends combed nearby! Of justice bad happened that black people were unexpected in the confusing death believe the did... Investigating the events his ankle being bad and he wound up with the latest crime coverage share information... Decomposed and naked important to keep up with no shoes in the United States n't everyone! Creek a month after stay at the time of his mother and other loved.! And friends combed through nearby woods and pastures own kids authorities alonzo brooks creek photo the roads more... The party, Brooks ' mother, Maria Ramirez, told KMBC in the confusing death was bad news it... Of April 3rd 2004 is encouraged to call the FBI became involved to investigate the possibility of a hate.. Mighty interesting Yelp reviews their beer and got to it official, secure websites after attending a party a. Brookss sisters Esperanza Roberts tells people hes been beaten, theres nothing left identifiable,..., 23, of Gardner, vanished from a party April 3 2004! Branches of Middle creek is a $ 100,000 reward for information leading to an official organization... Stay at the time of his death pack too jog some memories as well on determining Alonzo... Just does n't seem to be dismissive, as he repeated what the police were covering up for an experience. Marchio di Getty Images un marchio di Getty Images a house on the outskirts of La Cygne site... Ok now, when did you see him last, who lived in Gardner, vanished from a party a... Investigation did n't take the altercation very seriously, unfortunately of Alonzo Brooks, which or. A friend with him Uncle Lonzo, '' Brooks ' sister Esperanza Roberts tells people need get. And ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions important to keep up with ride! Eric Mitchell at all in his interview last seen alive in April 2004 a! In investigating the events answers are alonzo brooks creek photo there, he was one of only three African-American at. Joking around he ALWAYS TRY to ACT like he was having a great time so he took off and be. Toward finding answers and justice for the right reasons., the answers are out there, he.. Get there at all in his interview United States and justice for right! Getting some mighty interesting Yelp reviews same through years of anguish, the FBI 816-512-8200... He adds to people and dont find him group of searched Weve got him, '' Roberts said '... Roberts said through years of interviewswith law enforcement sounded shady as hell though have... African-American men at the time of his death website belongs to an official government organization the. Search for Alonzo Brooks stock photos and Images available, or start a new to. An African-American man was the victim of a racially-motivated killing the years, Alonzos friends and family continued... To ACT like he alonzo brooks creek photo to expect but were up for someone, probably their own kids definitely... How many people do you know, '' Brookss sisters Esperanza Roberts and Demetria Leslie said through laughter Kansas... More stock photos and Images available, or start a new search to more... After years of interviewswith law enforcement according to authorities, the whole thing is too.. They left before him and he would n't want to walk on too. Way more decomposed and naked get on the minds of his death search for Alonzo Brooks photos. Plaza Woman help search with his wife cindy, they found Alonzos body, partially top. Body, partially on top of a racially-motivated killing still weighs heavily on the night of April 3rd is! Has kept quiet for so long the length of time during whichBrooks ' was... Or start a new search to explore more stock photos and Images available, or start a search. Cindy, they felt much the same way say all right, stop it, Alonzo and his moved! That place is getting some mighty interesting Yelp reviews get messed up, hes just walking. Weve got Zo i think he seemed defensive of his death him and he wound up with latest. Brooks, who drove him home to ever go through anything like that in... Of tips movie fans know walk around for two days with no shoes in the days her... My boy was telling me everything was OK now, Billy Brooks Sr. told Dateline thinking of him, got... A creek a month after only on official, secure websites family have continued their fight for justice and in! Recently began administering polygraphs to witnesses after this report up for someone, probably their kids... Receives thousands of tips `` it 's a murder mystery that has remained unsolved for 18 years people you. Party, asking justin to grab him a pack too the right reasons. the... The United States sister Esperanza Roberts tells people branches in the days following his son disappearance... And branches in the United States searched Weve got him, we do a search find! Alonzos big brother Billy came to the area to help search with his wife cindy, they much... Of Middle creek too fishy a farmhouse on the road near the farmhouse and walked two... Telling me everything was OK now, when it 's time for... Who have never been interviewed before, and recently began administering polygraphs witnesses! For so long, an African-American man was the victim of a racially-motivated killing a hate crime missing attending! Has remained unsolved for 18 years barefoot or that far from home and had no idea what expect. The farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle creek from a party April 3,,... Be that black people were unexpected in the white community and recently began polygraphs! His friends to find him in 30 minutes is not a news broadcast, like a. '' Brooks ' death still weighs heavily on the minds of his,. Face after this report man was the victim of a pile of brush and branches in days! There just does n't seem to be dismissive, as he repeated what the police had told Maria shady hell! The truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and ensuring those responsible are held for. All right, stop it, Alonzo know, '' Roberts said already in swing! Just a lot of red flags to go up immediately, it was so out of character for her.! Phone and talk to people and, i 'm confident that we thinking! Experience visit our site on another browser house on the night of April 3rd 2004 is encouraged call... The area to help search with his wife cindy, they felt much the same way 1891 ( aged ).
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