Robert Harrell was a 61-year-old grandfather who had worked a variety of jobs throughout his life in New Orleans, Louisiana. A Black man, Mr. Harrell was remembered by those who knew him as a hard worker, taking on gigs from offshore oil rigs to roofing and other odd jobs to make his way. In a positive turn in his life, he had recently secured his own residence in the Mid-City neighborhood with assistance from Unity, a local organization dedicated to helping the homeless. He maintained close friendships from his youth, including one with his childhood friend, Herbert Harris, with whom he enjoyed simple pastimes like watching old Western movies.
The evening before his death was a quiet one for Mr. Harrell, spent at his home watching movies on tape with his friend Herbert Harris. The following day, Thursday, October 4, 2012, one of Mr. Harrell’s cousins became concerned after being unable to reach him.
The cousin went to his home in the 3200 block of Bienville Street to check on his welfare. At approximately 1 p.m., the cousin entered the home and made a devastating discovery, finding Mr. Harrell on the floor, unresponsive.
Police and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene, where they found Mr. Harrell deceased inside the residence. The New Orleans Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. A subsequent examination by the New Orleans coroner's office confirmed the cause of death. John Gagliano, the coroner's chief investigator, reported that Mr. Harrell had died as a result of multiple stab wounds. Investigators at the scene stated they could not immediately determine what type of weapon had been used to inflict the fatal injuries.
In the days following the discovery, detectives had not publicly identified a suspect or a motive for the violent killing. The news shocked those close to Mr. Harrell, who could not imagine why anyone would want to harm him. His friend Herbert Harris expressed this confusion, telling The Times-Picayune, "He never seemed like the type to bring this on himself. Unless there was something I didn't know about." As of October 2012, Robert Harrell's murder remains unsolved. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the case to contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.
