Kevin Roman, a 39-year-old Black male, was a beloved football coach in Houston, Texas. He was known for his dedication to his students and his role as a mentor at both Clear Lake Christian School and KIPP Academy. On September 10, 2016, Roman was found shot to death in his Sunnyside home on Sparrow Street. His body was in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating that he had been dead for several days.
The investigation into Kevin Roman's death revealed that he had been shot
multiple times with a .45 caliber weapon. The police found several shell casings at the scene, and his autopsy report confirmed that he had been shot 11 times in the upper portion of his body. The house was in disarray, but there were no signs of a struggle, and none of Roman's valuable items were missing, suggesting that the killer was someone he knew.
Three years after Roman's death, Laquinta Renee Johnson, a 32-year-old woman who had been in a dating relationship with Roman, was charged with his murder. Johnson confessed to shooting Roman out of jealousy, as she was upset that he was seeing other women. Her brother was arrested with the murder weapon two days after Roman's body was found, but circumstantial evidence linked Johnson to the shooting. Johnson was denied bail and faced charges for the murder.
The case drew significant attention, and the investigation was featured on Investigation Discovery's "Murder Under the Friday Night Lights: A Killer’s Secret Play," which detailed how advanced digital forensic technology helped solve the case. Johnson's lengthy criminal background, including a prior conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, added to the gravity of the situation.
Kevin Roman's death was a tragic loss for the community, as he was remembered not only as a coach but as a caring and giving person who always tried to help others. His legacy continues to impact those who knew him and the students he mentored throughout his career.
