In the early hours of May 18, 2021, the life of 19-year-old Kelly Roach, Jr. was tragically cut short in Mesa, Arizona. A male, he was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds at approximately 12:06 a.m. near the 400 block of West Brown Road. Despite the immediate response from Mesa Police officers, Roach, Jr. did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial investigation into the young man's death quickly revealed that it was not a random act of violence but
a targeted attack. Investigators determined that some of his personal property had been stolen, and his vehicle was also missing from the location where his body was found. The stolen car was located a short distance away from the crime scene, offering a potential clue in a case that would soon grow cold. His family remembers him as a hardworking young man with a bright future.
In the years following the shooting, the investigation into Kelly Roach, Jr.'s death has remained open but unsolved, with no arrests made and no suspects publicly identified. The Mesa Police Department continues to seek information from the public, with a reward being offered for any tips that could lead to an arrest. The case is now considered a cold case, a source of ongoing pain and frustration for his family, who continue to advocate for justice for their son, known affectionately as 'Kj.' The community is left with the lingering question of who is responsible for the violent end to a young life.
