Do you know who murdered Antoine Ellis? In the fading daylight of a cold January evening in Louisville, Kentucky, the life of 32-year-old Antoine 'Leo' L. Ellis, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On Thursday, January 28, 2010, Ellis was found shot to death, his body left in an alley situated between 38th and 39th Streets near Duncan Street in the Shawnee neighborhood. The grim discovery marked the beginning of a long and painful journey for his family, one that has yet to find closure as his murder remains unsolved.
The
hours that followed the discovery of Ellis's body brought another layer of tragedy and mystery to the case. His childhood friend, Deshon Johnson, was also found shot to death just a few blocks away, outside his daughter's home on Bank Street. The proximity in time and location of the two slayings led investigators to believe the cases were connected, a theory also held by Ellis's grieving family. Despite this initial lead, the investigation into who was responsible for the deaths of both men stalled, eventually turning into a cold case.
In the years since his death, Antoine Ellis's family has continued to seek justice. They have held vigils in the very alley where he was found, lighting candles and pleading for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward and speak with the Louisville Metro Police. His mother and grandmother have spoken of the immense pain of losing him and the agonizing reality that those responsible are still at large. The case of Antoine Ellis remains an open homicide, a somber reminder of a life taken too soon and a family left to grapple with unanswered questions.
