In the pre-dawn hours of Friday, April 15, 2011, the stillness of a Phoenix street was broken by a somber discovery. In the roadway, near the intersection of 24th Avenue and Van Buren Street, lay the body of a man later identified as Randal Melvin Wood. The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear, casting an air of mystery over the scene as police began their investigation.
Wood was known to be a transient in the Phoenix area.
He often sought shelter and support at the Phoenix Rescue Mission, located at 35th Avenue and Cocopah. He was also a familiar face at the Circle K convenience store at 27th Avenue and Van Buren, a detail that painted a picture of a life lived on the margins, within a specific and familiar radius of the city.
The investigation into Randal Wood's death remains an open case. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the cause of his death, leaving the question of whether it was the result of an accident or foul play unanswered. To date, no suspects have been identified or arrested in connection with the case. A reward of up to $1,000 has been offered for any information that could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation, a standing plea for someone to come forward with the missing pieces of the puzzle that might bring clarity to the final moments of Randal Wood's life.
