On February 11, 2018, authorities in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of a deceased male in the southern part of the city. Officers from the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to a report of a shooting near the 600 block of South Spring Avenue. Upon arrival, they located the body of 19-year-old Tyler Kavanaugh Conway. He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident prompted the activation of the Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad to lead the inquiry into the violent death.
As investigators worked to piece together the events leading to the shooting, they quickly identified suspects believed to be involved in the crime. Within days of the discovery, the Major Case Squad announced significant developments. Two men were taken into custody in connection with Conway’s death. The investigation indicated that the shooting was not a random act, and evidence collected at the scene and through witness interviews allowed prosecutors to file formal charges shortly after the arrests.
The primary suspect, identified as James W. Gray III, was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence. Authorities alleged that Gray was directly responsible for the lethal force used against the victim. A second suspect, Alexander J. Martin, was also arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence, accused of attempting to alter or conceal items related to the crime scene to hinder the investigation. The Major Case Squad formally disbanded on February 13, 2018, after handing the case over to the local prosecutor's office for further legal proceedings.
