In the late summer of 2023, the community of Columbus, Georgia, was shaken by the violent and untimely death of 23-year-old Esteban Manuel De Jesus-Colon. A young man known for his vibrant spirit and kind heart, his life was tragically cut short on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Esteban was fatally shot in the 3400 block of St. Mary's Road, a grim event that marked the third homicide in the city within a single week.
Emergency services, responding to the scene, could do nothing to save him, and he was pronounced dead at 1:38 p.m. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the precise cause of his death.
Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, on April 21, 2000, to Gesselle Colón and Mannie De Jesus, Esteban had relocated with his family to Columbus, a city he would come to call home. He was a graduate of Jordan Vocational High School and had pursued his passion for soccer at Andrew College. This love for the sport extended beyond his own time on the field; he dedicated himself to mentoring young athletes as a coach for the U-19 team, The Hurricanes, at the Boxwood Soccer Club. Remembered for his sweet and loving nature, compassion, and a sense of humor that could light up any room, Esteban was a beloved figure to his family and friends. When he wasn't coaching or working, he could often be found in the studio, recording music with his friends, or simply enjoying the company of his loved ones and his loyal dog, 'Uz-Boy.'
The investigation into the death of Esteban DeJesus is ongoing. As of now, publicly available information has not detailed any arrests made in connection with his murder, nor has any suspect or suspects been officially named. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation by the Columbus Police Department. The lack of resolution in his case leaves a painful void for his grieving family, which includes his parents, Gesselle and Theresa, and Mannie; his brothers, Manolo De Jesus, Jose Alberto Cruz-Colón, Edwin 'Happy' Cruz-Colón, and Diego De Jesus-Colón; and his grandmothers, Flor M. Pacheco and Magdalia De Jesus. His tragic death has left a lasting scar on the community, a stark reminder of a promising life taken too soon.
