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Tesfay Desta death by force case profile photo

Tesfay Desta

Case from Portland, ME dated Dec 04, 1999

Victim Details

Tesfay Desta

Male

Black / African American

Portland

ME

1999-12-04

45

Tesfay

Desta

Yes

07/16/2026

Case Description

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On a cold December evening in downtown Portland, Maine, the life of Tesfay Desta, a 45-year-old man of Ethiopian descent, was brought to a tragic and abrupt end. The date was December 4, 1999, a day that would become a somber mark in the city's history. That night, in an act of violence, Desta was shot and killed, his death contributing to the 25 homicides recorded in Maine that year. The incident left a void in the lives of those who knew him and a question for the community: what had led to th ...
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Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1502&context=whatshappening
  • 1999 Annual Homicides | Maine State Police
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    Forum Posts (1)

    Wow, this case is such a somber reminder of how quickly life can change. I've been doing a bit of di... ...Read More
    08/15/2023
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