On December 7, 2024, at approximately 12:28 a.m., Cincinnati police responded to reports of an unresponsive person lying in the roadway on Trail Ridge Road, a secluded area within Mt. Airy Forest. Upon arrival, officers discovered 20-year-old Lanyah Dawson suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.
Investigators found eight 9mm shell casings and blood at the location, indicating that Dawson was likely shot at the scene rather than her body being transported there post-mortem. The area was cordoned off as police conducted a thorough investigation, but no immediate leads or suspects were identified.
Dawson, a resident of Evanston, was a mother to a 1-year-old child and was known to be an amateur rapper. Her family and friends have expressed profound grief over her untimely death, describing her as a loving individual who brought joy to those around her. In the wake of the tragedy, her family has been pleading for anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the impact on her young daughter who is now left without a mother.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the Cincinnati Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dawson's death. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542. The community remains on edge as they await further developments in this case, hoping for justice for Lanyah and her family.
