In the early morning hours of December 5, 2014, a resident on the near-north side of Indianapolis made a grim discovery. Behind their home in the 2400 block of Highland Place, they found a person down and immediately called for help. When police arrived at approximately 1:00 a.m., they found 21-year-old Tyler D. Neely, an African-American male, who had been shot to death.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately clear to the authorities who began an investigation into the young man's death.
Tyler Dreon Neely, known to his loved ones as 'T-Bone,' was born in Indianapolis on June 13, 1993. He was a student at New Horizons High School and was a father. Those who knew him described him as a big brother to many, with a big heart and a big smile. He enjoyed spending time with his son and his son's mother, as well as with his extended family. His family said he loved to play games and was a fan of boxing.
Despite the ongoing investigation into his homicide, there have been no public reports of any arrests made or suspects identified in the years following Tyler's death. The case remains an open investigation as authorities continue to seek information from the public. His family and friends were left to mourn a life cut short, and his community was left with the unsettling reality of an unsolved murder. His funeral was held on December 19, 2014, at Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, and he was buried in Sutherland Park Cemetery.
