On December 19, 2009, a violent incident unfolded in St. Louis, Missouri, resulting in the death of 33-year-old African-American male Mackenzie House. The events of that day contributed to a particularly violent year for the city, which was grappling with a high rate of homicides. House was discovered in the city, having fallen victim to a homicide described in records as a death by force. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department homicide detectives were immediately tasked with investigating the scene, canvassing for witnesses and attempting to piece together the timeline of House’s final moments.
Despite the immediate response from law enforcement, the investigation into House's death faced significant challenges. Investigators worked to gather physical evidence and soliciting information from the community, yet the case did not yield immediate breakthroughs regarding the identity of the perpetrator. In the years following the crime, no specific suspects have been publicly named, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder. The case eventually went cold, leaving investigators without the necessary leads to bring charges against any individuals.
The murder of Mackenzie House remains classified as an unsolved violent crime by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. It stands as one of several open cases from that era that the Homicide Division continues to maintain in its archives, hoping for new evidence or tips to surface. To date, justice has not been served for the death of Mackenzie House, and the circumstances surrounding his murder remain shrouded in unanswered questions.
