Dearius Lee

Dearius Lee, a 21-year-old Black man from Cleveland, Ohio, was killed in March 2020, his life cut short by gun violence. His death was a tragedy for his loved ones and another painful loss for a city grappling with a high number of homicides that year. While few details about his personal life have been shared publicly, his case remains an open wound for a family still waiting for justice and a community seeking answers.

The events that led to the discovery of Dearius’s death began on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2020. On the city's East Side, residents in the area of East 123rd Street and Eddy Road reported hearing gunshots sometime between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. At the time, no victim was located, and the source of the gunfire remained a mystery through the night. The grim truth of what had happened would not be known until the next morning.

On Thursday, March 19, 2020, around 9:30 a.m., the Cleveland Division of Police responded to a call about a body being found. Officers arrived at a field in the 600 block of East 123rd Street, where they discovered Dearius Lee. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed his identity and determined that he had died from gunshot wounds. His death was officially ruled a homicide.

The discovery of Dearius’s body occurred during a particularly violent stretch in Cleveland. Police were already investigating another fatal shooting that had taken place just hours before on March 18 in the Euclid-Green neighborhood, making Dearius's death one of two homicides Cleveland police were handling within a 24-hour period. This highlighted the ongoing challenge of gun violence that plagued many neighborhoods across the city.

Cleveland police detectives immediately launched an investigation into Dearius's murder, canvassing the neighborhood and speaking with residents who recalled hearing the gunfire the previous night. Despite their efforts, the investigation yielded few public leads. In the years that have passed, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made. His case has grown cold, joining a list of unsolved homicides in Cuyahoga County. For his family, the lack of progress means an agonizing wait for closure, with the questions of who was responsible and why remaining unanswered.

The investigation into the murder of Dearius Lee remains open and active with the Cleveland Division of Police. His case is a somber reminder of the many lives lost to violence and the quests for justice that continue long after the initial headlines fade. As of March 2025, his homicide is still featured as an unsolved case by Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County, which is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for his death.

Authorities urge anyone who may have seen or heard something, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward. Information can be provided to Cleveland police detectives at 216-623-5464. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 216-25-CRIME (216-252-7463).