In the late summer of 2017, the community of South Phoenix was shaken by a grim discovery that would leave a lasting scar. On the morning of August 23rd, the body of 28-year-old Gregory Hairston was found at El Prado Park, near 19th and Southern Avenues. He was not alone; the body of 23-year-old Clomie Mayberry was discovered with him near the bleachers of a baseball field.
Both had suffered from fatal gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene, turning a place of community recreation into the center of a tragic investigation.
Gregory, remembered by friends and family as a kind-hearted person who always made time for those he cared about, was a former student of Metro Tech High School and was also associated with Camelback High School. His sudden and violent death left a profound void in the lives of those who knew him. The loss of a young man with a reputation for kindness under such brutal circumstances sent ripples of grief and fear through his community.
The investigation into the deaths of Gregory Hairston and Clomie Mayberry began immediately, with law enforcement cordoning off the park to search for evidence. However, despite their efforts, the case grew cold. The promising life of a young man was cut short, and with no arrests made and no suspects publicly identified, his death remains an unsolved mystery. The questions surrounding the final moments of Gregory Hairston and what led to the tragic events of that August morning remain unanswered, leaving his loved ones with a painful and unending search for justice.
