In the summer of 2024, the life of 39-year-old Dennis Edmonds, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Baltimore, Maryland. On the morning of June 14, at approximately 9:42 a.m., police responded to a call about an unresponsive person in the 4300 block of West Bay Avenue. Upon their arrival, they made a grim discovery in the backseat of a Dodge Charger; the body of Dennis Edmonds was found wrapped inside a carpet.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would later determine that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was officially ruled a homicide.
Investigators began to piece together the final hours of Edmonds' life by examining his personal relationships and phone records. Their investigation revealed that his last known contact was with 48-year-old Gregory Barnes. According to witness statements, Edmonds was involved in selling cocaine and often worked with Barnes, who would allegedly help process the drugs. Cell phone data placed Edmonds at Barnes' residence on Elmtree Street on the afternoon of June 13, 2024. A search of Barnes' home uncovered significant evidence, including blood that was a match to Edmonds and a piece of carpet that appeared to be missing, suggesting an attempt to clean up or alter the crime scene.
Further evidence came to light through surveillance footage from the Curtis Bay area, which captured Edmonds' vehicle being driven toward West Bay Avenue in the early morning hours after he was believed to have been killed. This information, combined with the physical evidence, led investigators to secure an arrest warrant for Gregory Barnes. On August 22, 2024, Barnes was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Dennis Edmonds. He was subsequently transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility. In January 2025, Barnes rejected a plea deal that would have sentenced him to life in prison with all but 60 years suspended. He is scheduled to stand trial for the murder of Dennis Edmonds in the summer.
