Lowell Donald Bell, a 55-year-old African-American man known to some as "Cook," was a father, grandfather, son, and brother. His death in August 2011 left his loved ones with unanswered questions that persist to this day. According to his obituary, he was survived by a loving son and daughter-in-law, two grandsons, a devoted mother, and five siblings, along with other family and friends who cherished their memories of him. His life was celebrated at the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church on Jutland Street in Houston before he was laid to rest at the Houston National Cemetery.
The last days of Mr. Bell's life came to a tragic end in his apartment in the Golfcrest neighborhood of southeast Houston. On the evening of Monday, August 22, 2011, concerned family members went to his home at 6705 Fairway Drive. They had not heard from him for some time, and their worry grew until they decided to enter the apartment to check on his well-being. Inside, they made a devastating discovery. Mr. Bell was deceased, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Houston Police Department patrol officers responded to a call about the discovery around 8 p.m. The investigation was quickly handed over to the HPD Homicide Division. Detectives, including Sergeant B. Williams and Senior Police Officer B. Swainson, began the painstaking work of piecing together the events that led to Mr. Bell's death. They reported that drug paraphernalia was found inside the apartment. Friends of Mr. Bell also informed investigators that his home was often visited by a number of different people.
The initial investigation involved questioning family members and potential witnesses at the scene, but no immediate suspects were identified. In a public release dated August 24, 2011, the Houston Police Department officially identified Mr. Bell and the cause of his death. The department made a public appeal for information, asking anyone who knew Mr. Bell or had knowledge of his associates to come forward and speak with investigators. They hoped to generate leads that could help them understand what happened inside the apartment on Fairway Drive.
Despite the initial efforts by the HPD Homicide Division, no arrests have been announced in connection with the murder of Lowell Bell. The case has grown cold over the years, leaving a void in the lives of his family. The trail of clues that detectives hoped to uncover seems to have faded, and the identity of the person or persons responsible for his violent death remains unknown. The motive for the shooting is also unclear.
More than a decade has passed since Lowell Bell was killed, and his case remains an unsolved homicide in the files of the Houston Police Department. His family continues to wait for justice and for the day when they will finally have answers about the loss of their loved one. The Houston Police Department urges anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or to provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
