On August 28, 2009, Marquis Antoine Austin, a 29-year-old resident of San Diego, was found dead, the victim of a homicide that remains unsolved. The case is part of a broader trend of cold cases in San Diego, where the homicide clearance rate has been steadily declining. In 2019, the clearance rate for homicides was just 42%, a decrease from previous years. The challenges in solving these cases include limited physical evidence and lack of witness cooperation, which complicates efforts by the San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit to bring closure to families and communities affected by such violence. Despite these challenges, the department remains committed to pursuing leads and utilizing advanced forensic techniques to address unsolved homicides.
