Winifred Bowers

A friend of Winifred Bowers remembers him as a man who was always upbeat and hilarious. Known to some as “Big Whimp,” the 56-year-old Black man from Ferguson, Missouri, is recalled for the laughs, stories, and smiles he shared. His life was tragically cut short, leaving those who knew him with only memories to hold onto and many unanswered questions.

On the evening of Monday, May 6, 2024, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received calls reporting a shooting in the Walnut Park East neighborhood. Officers were dispatched around 8:15 p.m. to the 5400 block of Harney Avenue, a residential street lined with brick homes in the northern part of the city. Upon arrival, they discovered a grim scene: a vehicle had crashed, and inside was a man who had sustained at least one gunshot wound.

Emergency medical services were called to the location, but the man’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later identified the victim as Winifred Bowers. The initial discovery inside the crashed vehicle left a complex set of circumstances for investigators to unravel. It was unclear what led to the shooting or whether the crash happened before or after the fatal shot was fired. A white van was reportedly towed from the scene later that night as police processed the area for evidence.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division immediately took charge of the case. Detectives began the work of canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and searching for any surveillance footage that might offer clues about the moments leading up to Mr. Bowers's death. His killing was recorded as the 58th homicide in the city of St. Louis for 2024, a statistic that underscores the ongoing challenge of violent crime in the area.

In the days that followed, Mr. Bowers's loved ones gathered to mourn their loss. A visitation was held on the afternoon of May 17, 2024, at Granberry Mortuary Chapel on Jennings Station Road, followed by a funeral service at the same location that evening. In an online guest book, one grieving friend expressed his heartbreak, noting he had planned to visit Mr. Bowers upon returning to St. Louis. The simple, heartfelt message painted a picture of a cherished friend whose sudden absence left a void.

As of the latest available information from May 2024, the investigation into the murder of Winifred Bowers remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest, and no arrests have been made. The case is one of many in St. Louis that await a resolution, leaving a family and a community searching for justice and closure.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department continues to seek information from the public that could help solve this crime. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. For those who wish to remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward, tips can be submitted to CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).