Damar Rayvelle Haywood, a 24-year-old Black man from Omaha, Nebraska, was a beloved son and a proud father whose life was cut short on Christmas Eve. Born on March 17, 1985, Damar was remembered by his family as a loving and integral part of their lives. His death left a void in the hearts of his parents, Cassandra Haywood and Danny Robinson, his two young sons, Damar Jr. and DaVaughn, and his girlfriend, Sabrina Chaney. He was part of a large, close-knit family, with numerous brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins who cherished him. Published remembrances speak of a man who is deeply missed, with one family member writing, "i love you Damar!" and another sharing a poem of remembrance, envisioning him as an angel in heaven.
The holiday season of 2009 was shattered for the Haywood family when Damar was killed on Thursday, December 24. The fatal incident occurred at the intersection of North 25th and Caldwell Streets in Omaha.
This area, part of the Near North Side neighborhood, has a long and complex history within the city. That night, under circumstances that have never been publicly detailed, Damar was fatally shot. The specific time of the shooting and the events that led to it remain unknown, as there was scant, if any, media coverage of the crime at the time it occurred. The lack of public information left a painful silence surrounding the violent end to a young man's life on a night typically associated with peace and family.
The investigation into Damar Haywood's death was handled by the Omaha Police Department. However, from the outset, the case was challenging. No witnesses came forward publicly with information, and police did not release any descriptions of potential suspects or vehicles involved. The investigation yielded no arrests, and no charges have ever been announced in connection with the homicide. The case quickly grew cold, leaving his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of injustice. The silence in the public record about the investigation mirrors the quiet that fell over the case itself.
Years after his death, Damar's case remains officially unsolved. His name is a somber statistic in a city that, like many across the United States, has struggled with unsolved homicides, particularly those involving Black victims. A 2018 analysis by The Washington Post on unsolved killings in major American cities listed Damar Haywood as one of Omaha's many Black homicide victims whose cases had not resulted in an arrest, highlighting a nationwide disparity in justice. For his loved ones, the lack of resolution compounds their grief, turning a private tragedy into a lingering public question.
A visitation for Damar was held on Monday, January 4, 2010, followed by a homegoing service the next day, where family and friends gathered to mourn and celebrate his life. In the years since, his family has been left to navigate their loss without the closure of knowing who was responsible for his death or why it happened. There have been no publicly announced vigils, memorials, or fundraisers in his name in the years following his funeral.
As of today, more than a decade later, the murder of Damar Haywood is a cold case. The Omaha Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest. The case stands as a painful reminder of a life taken too soon and a family left waiting for answers. The profound loss experienced by his two sons, who are growing up without their father, and the rest of his family, underscores the enduring tragedy of unsolved violence. There have been no rewards publicly offered for information leading to an arrest in connection with this case.
