Josiah Ray Gill, a 20-year-old white male from Toledo, Ohio, tragically lost his life on November 9, 2023, in a horrific incident that shocked the community. Gill was found shot to death in his burning car under the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Bridge in east Toledo. An autopsy of Josiah Gill's body was performed at the Lucas County Coroner's Office on November 10, 2023.
The circumstances surrounding Gill's death were particularly gruesome.
He had been shot in the face and left for dead before his car was set on fire. The severity of the burning made it difficult for his family to say a final goodbye, and they had to wait for a thorough autopsy to be completed before planning a memorial service.
Two suspects have been charged in connection with Josiah Gill's death. The first is a 16-year-old named Kristaun Self, who is accused of shooting Gill. On January 26, 2024, Toledo police issued a murder warrant for Self. He was later found in Alabama and was awaiting extradition to Ohio.
The second suspect is Alexander Perez, 32, who was charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to Gill's car. Perez was arrested and held in custody. On October 1, 2024, Perez was sentenced to 54 months in prison for his role in disposing of Gill's body.
The mother of Josiah Gill has been vocal about seeking justice for her son. In a heartfelt plea, she asked for information about who killed Josiah and why. The family has struggled to come to terms with the senseless and inhumane nature of the crime, describing the grieving process as being overshadowed by the need to process the events of November 9th.
The community has rallied around Gill's family, with a GoFundMe page set up to help cover the costs of the memorial service and to provide support for Josiah's mother, who had to take leave from work to deal with the tragedy. As the legal proceedings continue, the family hopes for maximum punishment for those responsible for Josiah's untimely death.
