On May 17, 2017, Ned Vardale Haywood, a 57-year-old African American male, was found mortally wounded inside a residence in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident occurred in the morning hours when officers were dispatched to a home in the 2700 block of Benton Boulevard, specifically near 27th Street and Benton, following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Haywood suffering from a critical gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead later that same day.
Known affectionately to friends and family as 'Dale,' Haywood was a lifelong resident of the area and the youngest of six children born to Hosea and Elizabeth Haywood. He had attended Paseo High School and later worked as a roofer and in various home improvement roles. He was described by loved ones as a protective figure who enjoyed skating, fishing, and dancing, particularly 'Two Stepping.' At the time of his death, he left behind two sons, grandchildren, and numerous other relatives who gathered for his services at the Faith Tabernacle Deliverance Ministries.
The investigation into Haywood's death was assigned to the Kansas City Police Department's Homicide Unit, with Detective Tom Hammond listed as the case detective. Despite the immediate police response to the scene on Benton Boulevard, no suspects were publicly identified in the aftermath of the shooting. The case was subsequently cataloged among the department's unsolved homicides, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the TIPS Hotline. As of the available records, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed in connection with his murder, leaving the case open and under investigation.
