Brylan Wade Butcher, a 14-year-old male of white ethnicity from Chillicothe, Ohio, tragically passed away on March 5, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Brylan was reported missing after running away from the Abraxas youth treatment facility in Richland County on February 20, 2022. His body was discovered in an alley in Columbus' Hilltop neighborhood on March 5, 2022, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation into Brylan's death revealed that he had been involved with the juvenile justice system and had a history of running away from facilities. On the day of his death, surveillance video showed two suspects with Brylan shortly before the shooting. One of the suspects, 21-year-old Justice Vereen, was arrested on January 30, 2024, and charged with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Vereen admitted to being present during the shooting but claimed she did not participate in the act itself. The second suspect remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing.
The case has drawn significant attention from law enforcement and the community, with efforts to find justice for Brylan continuing. The Columbus Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff's Office have been actively involved in the investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.
Brylan's family and friends remember him as a vibrant and caring young boy who enjoyed playing basketball, football, fishing, and swimming. His untimely death has left a profound impact on those who knew him, and his loved ones continue to seek answers and justice for his murder.
