Jessie L. Grahnert, a 32-year-old White woman from Topeka, Kansas, was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, and friend. She was survived by many loved ones, most importantly her son, Cameron. A family member described the pain of her loss as immeasurable, calling her death a senseless and horrific act.
On the evening of Sunday, November 24, 2024, Jessie’s life was cut short in what became the city's 19th homicide of the year.
Just after 8:30 p.m., Topeka police officers responded to a report of a shooting at her home in the 2000 block of North Kansas Avenue. They found Jessie suffering from a gunshot wound and, despite efforts to help, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In the initial days of the investigation, no arrests were made, and police asked the public for any information that could lead to a suspect. For months, the case remained without a public breakthrough, leaving Jessie’s family waiting for answers. On June 17, 2025, the Topeka Police Department announced a significant development with the arrests of two local men: Julian B. Vann, 33, and Damian L. Lewis, 30.
The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office formally charged both men with first-degree murder, alleging the killing was both intentional and committed during a felony, as well as criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling. The two men were tried separately by Shawnee County juries.
In a trial that began on April 27, 2026, a jury found Damian L. Lewis guilty of first-degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm. In a separate trial, a different jury found Julian B. Vann not guilty on all charges.
On August 27, 2026, a judge sentenced Damian L. Lewis to life in prison for the murder convictions. He received an additional sentence of 130 months, or nearly 11 years, for the firearm charge. As of August 2026, one man was serving a life sentence for Jessie Grahnert's murder, while the other had been acquitted.
