Brian Joseph "Egypt" Powers, a 43-year-old man from Akron, Ohio, was found shot to death on June 13, 2020. Powers was known for his advocacy for the LGBTQ community and his love for cooking, old movies, and meeting new people. He was dressed as his alter ego, Egypt, when he was killed. Powers' death was unexpected and deeply mourned by his family and friends.
The circumstances surrounding his death were unclear for a long time.
Powers was found face up on the ground by a groundskeeper just before 8 a.m. outside a church near East Buchtel Avenue and Chapel Drive. Police believe he had traveled about 100 yards before collapsing with a single bullet having pierced both thighs. Powers' sister, Vivian Powers-Smith, mentioned that he had been seven months sober and was getting his life back together at the time of his death.
In March 2023, Akron police arrested Bobby Lee Bell, a 48-year-old Akron resident, on a charge of murder in connection with Powers' death. Bell has a history of violent crime, including a conviction for attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in 1993. He was also convicted of drug-related charges in 2008, 2012, and 2021. Bell was identified as a suspect after a thorough review of evidence, interviews, and numerous leads.
The arrest provided some closure for Powers' family, although the exact motive for his murder remains unclear. Some members of Akron's LGBTQ community feared that Powers may have been targeted because of his gender identity and sexual orientation, but hate crime laws in Ohio do not encompass gender identity and sexual orientation.
Powers' sister expressed hope for justice and emphasized that her brother was a beautiful person who made everyone he met feel welcomed. The Akron Police Department has stated that they are committed to bringing violent offenders to justice and ensuring public safety.
Brian Joseph "Egypt" Powers' death remains a tragic loss, and his family continues to seek justice for him.
