Brandon Frank Nathanial Moneyham Sr., a 36-year-old man from Middletown, Ohio, was fatally shot on October 11, 2020. The incident occurred outside the 513 Lounge on Verity Parkway, where Moneyham had been earlier that night. He was found dead behind a business at 601 North Verity Parkway with multiple gunshot wounds. The Butler County Coroner’s Office ruled his death a homicide.
An initial investigation revealed that Moneyham was with a group of people leaving the bar when shots were
fired. Middletown Police Chief David Birk stated that the police were not getting much cooperation from witnesses at the scene. However, a suspect, Marquan Cardelle Cortez Cook, was identified and later charged with Moneyham's murder.
Cook, a 28-year-old man from Dayton, Ohio, was indicted by a Butler County grand jury on the charge of murder. He was accused of shooting Moneyham during the early-morning hours of October 11, 2020. Cook was eventually found guilty of murder with a gun specification, felonious assault, and having weapons under disability. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 21 years.
The trial revealed that Cook was wearing a GPS ankle monitor at the time of the shooting, which he later cut off and fled to Florida. He was apprehended by U.S. Marshals a few weeks after the incident. During the trial, an eyewitness testified that they saw Cook shoot Moneyham multiple times in the parking lot.
Moneyham's family, including his wife Juanisha and three children, Heaven’Lee, Bran’Dee, and Brandon Jr., have been deeply affected by his loss. His wife described him as a loving father and husband who always expressed his love for his family. The community has mourned the loss of Moneyham, who was remembered for his kind heart and dedication to his family.
The case has brought attention to the need for cooperation from witnesses in criminal investigations and the importance of community support in solving such tragic incidents. The conviction of Cook has provided some closure to Moneyham's family, although they continue to grieve his loss.
