In the summer of 2015, the life of 40-year-old Kimberly Claire Gerdes was tragically cut short in a violent intrusion into her New Orleans, Louisiana home. On the night of June 12th, while she was asleep in her bedroom, an unknown assailant entered her residence and opened fire, ending her life. The shocking event also claimed the life of another individual, 38-year-old Cinque Rashad Stallworth.
Gerdes, a female, was a mother to a son and is remembered by her family and friends for her kindness and vibrant spirit.
The harrowing details of that night were pieced together through the account of the sole witness, Gerdes's fiancé, who was present during the home invasion. According to his statement to the police, Stallworth had just arrived at the house. Shortly after Stallworth stepped inside, an unidentified gunman followed him in and shot him. The attacker then fired at Gerdes's fiancé, who managed to avoid being hit. Hearing the commotion, the fiancé ran towards the bedroom where Gerdes was sleeping, but the gunman fired another shot, tragically killing her.
In the aftermath of the brutal double homicide, the New Orleans Police Department launched an investigation. Working with the surviving witness, detectives were able to create a composite sketch of the suspected shooter. The image was publicly released in the hopes that someone would recognize the man and come forward with information. The case was highlighted by the NOPD's cold case division, indicating that initial leads did not immediately result in the identification and capture of the person responsible.
Despite the circulation of the suspect's sketch and appeals to the public for assistance, the case of Kimberly Claire Gerdes and Cinque Rashad Stallworth's murders has grown cold. There have been no publicly announced arrests in connection with the killings, and the identity of the gunman remains a mystery. The motive behind the violent home invasion and the senseless deaths of two people is still unknown. The case remains an unsolved crime, leaving a void in the lives of the victims' families and a lingering question of justice.
