In the early hours of September 25, 2022, the life of 26-year-old Dedrick Cross, a Black male from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was tragically cut short. Neighbors near North 15th and Congress called authorities around 5 a.m. to report a vehicle on fire. First responders arrived at the scene to the horrific discovery of a body in the trunk of the burning car. The victim was later identified as Dedrick Cross.
An investigation revealed that Cross had been shot before being placed in his own vehicle, which was then set ablaze.
The day before his death, Dedrick had spent the day working alongside his mother, Veronica Cross, at their family's food truck, a normal Saturday filled with conversations about the future. He was described by his family as a unique and beautiful son and brother who was brilliant and educated. Dedrick was an aspiring entrepreneur with dreams of owning a Chick-fil-A franchise and growing his own clothing brand. He was in a long-term relationship of nine years and had been discussing the possibility of having children with his partner.
Despite the passage of time, Dedrick Cross's murder remains unsolved, leaving his family and community searching for answers and justice. Investigators have been hampered by a lack of eyewitnesses and a roughly 12-hour gap in the timeline of Dedrick's whereabouts before his body was discovered. Authorities have stated that they have very limited surveillance video, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where he was and who he was with during those final hours. It is believed by his family that he was with people he trusted and felt comfortable with before his death. Dedrick had no criminal history, adding to the mystery of his violent end. His mother has expressed the profound pain of her loss and has made public appeals for anyone with information to come forward to Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, clinging to the hope that a tip could be the key to resolving the case and bringing her son's killer or killers to justice.
