In the winter of 2006, the life of 36-year-old Christopher Williams, a male resident of Swissvale, was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence in Braddock, Pennsylvania. On the evening of January 16th, while working his job as a pizza delivery driver for Vocelli Pizza, Williams was shot and killed in what authorities believe was a botched robbery. The incident occurred at the intersection of Camp Avenue and Second Street, shortly after he had completed a delivery to a house on Camp Avenue. He was found with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Christopher, who had only been married to his wife, Lydia Williams, for three and a half months, was described as a kind man who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. In addition to his new bride, he left behind a daughter who was 18 years old at the time of his death. His mother, Loretta Williams-Miles, has also been a vocal advocate for justice for her son. In the years following his murder, both his wife and mother have made public pleas for information that could lead to the capture of his killer. They have marked anniversaries of his death with vigils and remembrances, keeping his memory alive and the search for answers in the public eye.
Despite the efforts of the Allegheny County Police, no arrests have ever been made in connection with the murder of Christopher Williams. The case has grown cold over the years, a source of ongoing pain for his family. Investigators have expressed their frustration, believing there were as many as four or five witnesses to the shooting. In the immediate aftermath of the crime, and in the years that followed, various rewards were offered for information leading to an arrest. These rewards, funded by Vocelli Pizza, the Braddock mayor's office, Crime Stoppers, and anonymous donors, have been increased over time in the hope of encouraging someone to come forward. However, the case remains unsolved, leaving a family to grapple with their loss and the absence of justice.
