In a quiet alley in Denver, Colorado, the lives of two friends, James Austin and Clarence Smith, were tragically cut short on May 23, 1992. Austin, a 37-year-old Black male, and his companion were discovered together, both having been fatally shot. The grim scene was found in the tall grass in an alley between Franklin and Humboldt Streets, behind a vacant house.
James Austin and his friend, 43-year-old Clarence Smith, were known to be drinking buddies and frequently spent their time
together. Their usual haunts included the area around East Colfax Avenue and Yosemite Street, on the border of Denver and Aurora. The two friends also shared a common interest in gambling and would often go to the dog track together. Their companionship was a familiar sight in the neighborhoods they frequented.
Despite the passage of time, the double homicide of James Austin and Clarence Smith remains an unsolved cold case. The Denver Police Department continues to list this as an open investigation and has not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the murders. The case remains a somber mystery, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any information that might finally bring justice for the two friends.
