Imogene Humphrey

In the historic Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, the oldest American settlement in the county, Imogene Humphrey lived a quiet life. At 69 years old, the White woman resided in a small, two-story house at 1341 Sullivant Avenue, a main thoroughfare with a long and complex history. The street, named for the area's founder, Lucas Sullivant, is part of a community known for its resilience, having persevered through devastating floods and economic hardships over the decades. It was within the walls of this home, a structure built in 1914, that Ms. Humphrey’s life came to a violent and tragic end.

On Sunday, April 9, 2000, a discovery was made that turned the residence into a crime scene. Imogene Humphrey was found in the basement of her home, the victim of a brutal homicide. An autopsy would later confirm that she died from multiple stab wounds. The Columbus Police Department was called to the scene, and a homicide investigation was immediately launched into the quiet life that had been so violently disturbed.

The initial investigation by Columbus police detectives sought to piece together the final hours of Ms. Humphrey’s life. They canvassed the neighborhood and processed the home for evidence, but crucial questions remained unanswered. There were no immediate suspects, and the motive for the attack was unclear. Investigators have not publicly stated whether there were signs of forced entry, if anything was stolen from the home, or if Ms. Humphrey was the victim of a targeted attack or a random act of violence. The lack of clear leads left both the authorities and the community searching for answers.

In the more than two decades that have passed, the case has grown cold. The investigation remains open but inactive, waiting for a new tip, a fresh look at the evidence, or a technological advancement that could break the silence. The Columbus Police Department’s Homicide Case Review Unit, which handles unsolved cases dating back decades, holds the file for Imogene Humphrey. The city averages around 100 homicides a year, and a number of them, like this one, unfortunately, go unsolved, leaving a lingering sense of loss and injustice for families and the community.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office includes Imogene Humphrey in its statewide database of unsolved homicides, a public-facing effort to bring visibility to cases that have faded from the headlines. This listing, case number 1628, serves as a constant, quiet appeal to the public for information. It is a reminder that behind the case number was a person whose life was cut short, and whose killer has never been held accountable.

As of today, no arrests have been made, and no persons of interest have been officially named in the murder of Imogene Humphrey. The case remains a stark and unresolved chapter in the city's history. Law enforcement continues to hope that someone, somewhere, holds the piece of information that could finally provide a voice for the victim and bring a measure of closure to this long-standing mystery. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation encourages anyone with information regarding the case to come forward and has a tip line available at 855-224-6446.