Black / African American Demetrius Cook, a 33-year-old resident of the St. Louis area, was discovered deceased in his home in University City, Missouri, on the afternoon of January 19, 2017. The discovery was made after officers from the University City Police Department responded to a call for a welfare check at his residence, located in the 1300 block of Sheridan Drive.
upon their arrival, law enforcement officials entered the unlocked home and found Cook suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and a homicide investigation was immediately launched into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Investigators determined that the shooting was likely not a random act of violence, stating early in the inquiry that they believed Cook had been specifically targeted. Despite the absence of forced entry, which was suggested by the unlocked state of the residence, police struggled to identify the perpetrator. Detectives pursued various leads and publicly urged anyone with information to contact the University City Police Department, hoping to piece together the events leading up to the fatal encounter.
In the years following the incident, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder. The case remains classified as an open and unsolved homicide. Cook, known affectionately to friends and family by the nickname 'Manny,' was laid to rest after a funeral service held at the Wade Twin Chapel in St. Louis later that same month. Authorities continue to ask the public for any details that could assist in resolving the case.
