In the late hours of a Tuesday evening in Newark, Delaware, the life of 46-year-old Hispanic male Ruben Maldonado was tragically cut short. On May 7, 2013, at approximately 11:14 p.m., police were called to the Cedar Wood Apartments on Christiana Road following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Maldonado lying motionless in front of one of the apartment buildings.
He was suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators began to piece together the events of that night, exploring robbery as a potential motive for the violent encounter. In the course of their investigation, a witness came forward who was able to provide enough information for police to create a composite sketch of a possible suspect. The individual sought in connection with Maldonado's death was described as a Black male, standing between 5'7" and 5'10" tall, with a dark complexion and an estimated weight of around 200 pounds.
Despite the initial leads and the circulation of the suspect's description and sketch, the case has remained unsolved for years. The New Castle County Police have since classified the murder of Ruben Maldonado as a cold case. Authorities have continued to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to an arrest and bring closure to the family of the victim. They have encouraged anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact their Cold Case Homicide Squad or to submit anonymous tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers.
