Nathan Corey Lavin, a 34-year-old white male originally from Kansasville, Wisconsin, was the victim of a homicide in St. Louis, Missouri. A film industry professional who worked as a set dresser and prop technician, Lavin had recently relocated to the area. On the evening of October 31, 2014, he was discovered lying on the pavement in the Dogtown neighborhood of St. Louis, suffering from fatal injuries.
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Halloween when police were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found Lavin with gunshot wounds to his neck and arm. He was transported to a local hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The violence extended beyond Lavin himself; his two pit bulls, which were with him at the time, were also shot. One of the dogs died at the scene, while the other succumbed to its injuries later at an animal hospital.
Authorities launched an investigation and sought the public's assistance in locating a suspect described by witnesses as a black male seen standing near the victim holding a gun. Following the shooting, the perpetrator reportedly fled the scene in a gold-colored sedan, believed to be a late 1990s or early 2000s Buick LeSabre. Additionally, Lavin’s own vehicle, a dark gray Honda Pilot equipped with a large bike rack, was stolen during the incident. Despite the release of surveillance images of the suspect vehicles and calls for information, no arrests or convictions were immediately reported in the wake of the crime.
