Edson A. Ramos, a 32-year-old man from New Bedford, Massachusetts, is remembered in his obituary as a loving father, son, and brother. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was the son of Edson and Eliane (Alves) Ramos. He had lived in the New Bedford area for 14 years and worked as a landscaper. He was the father of a son, Kayden Ramos, and a daughter, Kyara Ramos. He also left behind a brother, Wagner Ramos, a sister, Aline Ramos, his grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. His loved ones described him as someone who loved life.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 17, 2014, Edson's life was cut short. At approximately 2:25 a.m., his body was discovered in a grassy area adjacent to Route 18, just north of the Route 195 overpass near Weld Square in New Bedford. Police had responded to the area after reports of gunfire. A witness later told investigators they had heard what sounded like three gunshots about twenty minutes before Edson was found.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that Edson was last seen alive at about 1:00 a.m. that same morning. He was reportedly walking along Acushnet Avenue, heading in the direction of the location where his body would later be found. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office and the New Bedford Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into his death. While authorities responded to reports of gunfire, the specific manner of his death was not publicly disclosed in the initial days of the investigation.
The case was investigated by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and New Bedford Police detectives. For years, they have sought information from the public to help solve the crime. The path Edson walked in his final hour, along a busy city thoroughfare, suggests there may have been people who saw something significant, even if they didn't realize it at the time. The area where his body was found, near a major highway interchange, is a transient space, which can present challenges for investigators.
More than a decade has passed, but the case of Edson Ramos's murder remains unsolved. His name is listed on the Bristol County District Attorney's Office's roster of open unsolved homicides. This public listing serves as a constant reminder that justice has not yet been served for Edson and his family. His children have grown up without their father, and his parents and siblings are still waiting for answers about who took him from them and why.
The investigation into the homicide of Edson Ramos is still active and ongoing. As of August 2024, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that might help them solve the case. Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police at (855) MA-SOLVE or New Bedford Police. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by phone or online.
