John Cotton, a 66-year-old resident of Youngstown, Ohio, was tragically killed on May 22, 2008. The homicide occurred at his own automotive repair shop, Cotton's Automotive Repair, located at 2018 McGuffey Road. Earlier that day, Cotton had left the shop to visit a junkyard on Atkinson Street. Later in the evening, neighbors noticed his pickup truck parked in front of the business, but there was no response when they knocked on the shop door.
Concerned, the neighbors called the police, and upon their arrival, Cotton was found dead inside the office, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
The investigation into Cotton's death has remained active, with the Youngstown Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation seeking any leads that could solve this case. The Ohio Attorney General's Office has also included this case as part of its Ohio Unsolved Homicides Initiative, which aims to bring public awareness to unsolved cases across the state. Authorities are hopeful that someone might come forward with information that could help bring justice for John Cotton and closure for his family.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, there have been no significant leads, and the case remains unsolved. The community and authorities continue to urge anyone with information to step forward. Those with potential information are encouraged to contact the Youngstown Police Department or submit tips through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in the hope that even the smallest detail could help solve this crime.
