In the spring of 2018, just ten days shy of his nineteenth birthday, Jalen Robert Hogue was on the cusp of a new chapter in his life. The 18-year-old had recently graduated from high school and was living in a home on Mansfield Street in Detroit. His family remembers him as one of twelve children, a young man whose smile could illuminate a room and whose laughter was unforgettable. But on the morning of May 28, 2018, his promising future was tragically cut short.
Around 9:30 a.m.
on that Memorial Day, Jalen's roommate returned to their home to a horrifying scene. Jalen was found unresponsive, sprawled on his air mattress with a fatal gunshot wound. His room was filled with smoke, and his phone had been damaged in what appeared to be an attempt to cover up the crime by starting a fire. It was later determined that he had been shot in the back of the head, execution-style. Instead of celebrating his upcoming birthday, his family found themselves planning his funeral, burying him on the very day he should have been turning 19.
In the years that have followed, Jalen's murder has remained unsolved, leaving his family in a prolonged state of grief and uncertainty. Despite their repeated pleas for justice, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made. The investigation has seemingly stalled, with his family stating they haven't received any new information from the police in years. They believe there were multiple people in the house that weekend who may have information about what happened.
A reward of up to $2,500 has been offered by Crime Stoppers for any information that leads to an arrest. Jalen's mother continues to speak out, haunted by the memory of her son and the knowledge that his killer walks free. The only clue that has been publicly mentioned is a vague description of a burgundy sedan seen in the area around the time of the murder. The family continues to hope that someone will come forward with the information needed to bring them closure and see justice served for Jalen.
