In the cold of February 2023, the life of 19-year-old Deandre Matthews was tragically cut short in Brooklyn, New York. A Black man known for his sense of humor and dedication to his family and studies, Deandre was reported missing on February 7th after he failed to return home with his mother's Jeep. The following day, his mother, Danielle Matthews, using the vehicle's GPS, located the Jeep, which had been burned.
The horrifying discovery of Deandre's body followed shortly after on freight train tracks in the Flatbush neighborhood. An autopsy would later reveal the brutal nature of his death: a gunshot wound to the head and severe burns covering his body, with evidence of smoke inhalation.
The investigation into the gruesome murder led to the arrests of two individuals. In early May 2023, authorities apprehended 24-year-old Remy McPrecia, charging him with concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. A week later, 19-year-old Isiah Baez was arrested and faced more severe charges, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence. While a motive for the killing has not been officially released by law enforcement, Deandre's family has been vocal in their belief that he was the victim of a hate crime due to his sexuality.
Deandre was remembered by his loved ones as a non-violent and hardworking young man who was studying criminal justice at SUNY Broome Community College with aspirations of becoming a social worker. He was the first in his family to attend college and held down two jobs. His family described him as a sweet kid who would try to find the good in everyone. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing.
