On a late March evening in 2011, the life of 22-year-old Brittany Michelle Coles was tragically cut short in Detroit, Michigan. An African-American female, Brittany was making her way home from work between 11:50 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., a routine journey that involved a bus and a taxi. The promising young culinary school graduate, known for her vibrant personality and beautiful smile, never made it to the safety of her home.
Sometime during her commute, in the area of 13100 Warren Avenue on
the city's east side, Brittany was fatally shot. Her body was discovered on March 31, 2011, leaving her family and friends devastated by the sudden and violent loss. Investigators at the time theorized that the motive may have been a robbery. A detective suggested that someone may have approached her, and when she refused to comply with their demands, she was shot.
In the days following the discovery of her body, Brittany's family pleaded with the public for any information that could lead to the killer. CrimeStoppers offered a $2,500 reward in the hopes of encouraging witnesses to come forward. Her cousin remembered Brittany as a sweet, fun-loving person who brought light into every room and had no known conflicts with anyone. She was a cherished daughter, sister, and granddaughter who had relocated to Detroit with her mother just a couple of years prior to her death, seeking to build a future with her passion for cooking.
Despite the initial investigation and the family's public appeals for justice, no arrests have ever been announced in the homicide of Brittany Coles. The case grew cold over the years, leaving a painful void and many unanswered questions for her loved ones. The vibrant young woman who had graduated from Dorsey Culinary School with dreams for the future was laid to rest, but the identity of the person or persons responsible for her death remains unknown.
