James Scott Perkins

In the early summer of 2019, a violent, unsolved assault in Ogden, Utah, claimed the life of James Scott Perkins. Known to some as Scott, he was a 56-year-old white male whose final days were marked by a sudden act of violence that has left his community and law enforcement seeking answers for years. The case remains a painful open wound, a mystery defined by the few known facts of its brutal commission.

The timeline of the tragedy began on Saturday, June 1, 2019. On that day, James was discovered unconscious on a property located at 790 W. 17th Street in Ogden. It was immediately apparent to first responders that he had been the victim of a serious assault. He was rushed to a local hospital with severe injuries. For nine days, he fought for his life, but the damage was too great. On June 10, 2019, James succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

Following his death, the state medical examiner conducted an autopsy to officially determine the cause. The findings confirmed what investigators suspected: James’s death was a direct result of the injuries he sustained after being assaulted by another person. His death was officially ruled a homicide, transforming the assault case into a murder investigation.

The Ogden City Police Department took charge of the case, launching a full investigation into the homicide. Detectives worked to piece together the events that led to the fatal attack on James. They pursued various leads and explored multiple avenues in their search for the person or people responsible. Despite their efforts, the investigation has not yet led to the identification of a suspect. The crucial questions of who attacked James Perkins and why remain unanswered, leaving a void in the pursuit of justice.

Over the years, the case has grown cold, but it has not been forgotten by law enforcement. The Ogden City Police Department continues to classify James's death as an active, unsolved homicide. On the fifth anniversary of the assault, in June 2024, the department renewed its public appeal for information. They released a statement summarizing the known details of the case, hoping to jog someone's memory or encourage a witness to finally come forward. "Gone but never forgotten," the police department's statement read. "Together we uncover, together we solve."

As of June 2024, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named in connection with the murder of James Scott Perkins. The case rests heavily on the possibility that someone in the community holds the key piece of information that could break the silence. The Ogden City Police Department urges anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Tips can be submitted directly to the department, and there is hope that a new lead will emerge, finally bringing closure to a case that has remained unsolved for far too long.