In the early morning hours of February 23, 2023, the flashing lights of first responders cut through the darkness at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Greenwood Drive in Portsmouth, Virginia. They were responding to what appeared to be a single-vehicle crash. Inside the vehicle, they found 39-year-old Eleazara L. Selby, a Black/African American male, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
However, the initial assessment of a tragic accident soon took a more sinister turn as investigators discovered that Selby had suffered from gunshot wounds. The case was quickly reclassified as a homicide.
As the investigation unfolded, the Portsmouth Police Department sought help from the community for any information that could shed light on the final moments of Selby's life. Nearly two months after his death, on April 14, 2023, authorities announced they had identified two persons of interest: 35-year-old Corey Melic Blackwell and 34-year-old Brandon Bishop. The police urged the public to come forward with any knowledge of their whereabouts, hoping for a breakthrough in the case.
Despite naming persons of interest, the investigation has not led to any arrests. As time has passed, Eleazara Selby's family continues to grapple with the profound loss and the absence of justice. His mother, Sheba Edwards, has spoken of the immense pain and the emotional toll the unsolved nature of the case has taken on their family. They continue to hold onto hope that someone will come forward with the information needed to resolve the case and bring closure to their immense grief. The investigation into the death of Eleazara L. Selby remains ongoing.
