On December 21, 2021, the city of Portland, Oregon, was shaken by the tragic death of 30-year-old rapper DeAndrae D. Drae Steves. The incident occurred in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, where police responded to reports of a shooting around 1 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, officers found Drae Steves' body, and the state's medical examiner's office later confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound.
The investigation into Drae Steves' murder led to a significant development in
February 2022. Deputies with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team arrested 22-year-old Josiah Nettles in connection with the crime. Nettles was taken into custody on Friday, February 4, in Vancouver, Washington, which is just over the Washington state border from Portland. He was charged with second-degree homicide and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly killing Drae Steves.
Josiah Nettles' arrest marked a crucial step in bringing justice to the family and friends of Drae Steves, who was deeply ingrained in the Portland music scene. Drae Steves' family, including his father who raps under the name Manic Lok and his uncle who performs as Cool Nutz, were devastated by his loss. Cool Nutz reflected on the impact Drae Steves had on the city, noting that he created a wave for the new generation of young urban rappers from Portland and had collaborated with several notable artists, including E-40, Glasses Malone, Mistah Fab, and even Damian Lillard, who raps under the stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A.
The arrest of Josiah Nettles was a result of thorough investigative work by the Portland police, who worked diligently to identify and apprehend the suspect. The case highlighted the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address and solve violent crimes in the community, providing some measure of closure for those affected by Drae Steves' tragic death. As of the current date, Josiah Nettles remains the primary suspect in this case, and his arrest has been a significant step towards justice for the family and fans of Drae Steves.
