A routine online marketplace meeting led to murder on March 7, 2021. Joseph Vindel, 29, a recent Tulane graduate and newly licensed real estate agent, went to Harvey, Louisiana to meet a prospective buyer about a dirt bike. While seated in his SUV he was shot multiple times; the suspect, later identified as Jalen Harvey, moved Vindel’s body into the back of the vehicle, drove the SUV for more than an hour and abandoned it with the body inside in New Orleans’ Garden District, then rode the dirt bike back to his apartment complex.

Detectives found messages between Vindel and Harvey arranging the sale, recovered the dirt bike at Harvey’s apartment and say they located the weapon believed used in the killing. Harvey was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and obstruction of justice. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office later established Joseph Vindel Memorial Safe Exchange Zones at two locations to encourage safer online transactions.

If anyone knew Joseph, saw his SUV or the dirt bike that morning, or has information about the meeting in Harvey, please come forward.