ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — FBI and Metroparks officials are asking once again for the public's assistance in the Rocky River Reservation double homicide that occurred earlier this month.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Metroparks Chief Ranger Katherine Dolan and FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith followed up on the FBI's offer of a $20,000 reward for information with a public plea to anyone who knows anything about the June 4 killings of Carnell Sledge and Katherine Brown.
Sledge, 40, and Brown, 33, were found at about 5:22 p.m. on June 4 in the Rocky River Reservation north of the Lorain Road Bridge, east of Valley Parkway. Brown was found in the water with a single gunshot wound to her head. Sledge was found in the grass with multiple gunshot wounds to the head, authorities said.
The final moments
On Monday, officials said the two had been had been friends for over 10 years. It was common for them fraternize together, and they were not believed to be romantically involved.
They arrived in separate vehicles at approximately 5:04 p.m. to the pull-off lot north of the Lorain Bridge. They exited their vehicles and sat on the park bench along the river. Within minutes of their arrival, they were shot in the head, sometime between 5:08 and 5:15 p.m. Two kayakers pulled into the Lorain Road lot within minutes at approximately 5:18 and observed the victims. They immediately called 911.
The area known as the pull-off lot is highly trafficked. Numerous joggers, walkers, kayakers and vehicles cut through the area. Tuesday June 4 was a pleasant evening. Law enforcement officials believe it's likely someone was nearby at the time of the murders.
Why is the FBI involved?
Smith said federal investigators are lending a hand as a result of "partnerships." "This is a violent crime in a public area," he said.
Dolan and Smith emphasized the brazen nature of their tragic killings.
"We have no reason to believe it was random, but we do not know if it was targeted," Smith said. "Someone did this in a very brazen way, a very specific way."
They declined to say if Sledge and Brown were robbed.
The reward
On June 12, the FBI offered a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects in the death of Sledge and Brown.
RELATED: FBI offers $20,000 for information in Rocky River Reservation double homicide
'An isolated incident'
“Cleveland Metroparks Police believe this to be an isolated incident and the overall safety of the parks is not in question,” officials said following the murders. On Monday Dolan reiterated how safe the parks are under the watch of 90 officers and said the last homicide at a Metropark was two decades ago.
Uneasy public
Still, many park-goers have been left feeling concerned.
RELATED: Uneasiness lingers as Metroparks police continue double homicide investigation
Anyone with information can call the Cleveland FBI at 216-522-1400, Metroparks Police dedicated tip line at 440-331-5219 or Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
