Rona Yvonne Brand, 54, was found shot in the head at her East Baltimore home in the spring of 2018. On April 16 she and her long-term boyfriend, Clyde Burrell, were discovered after family members raised the alarm. Brand was remembered for her passion for cooking and her stylish appearance.

Neighbors told police that a family member had been staying with the couple, prompting detectives to seek out Brand’s nephew, Tavon Bryant. Bryant was located, questioned by homicide detectives, and confessed to killing both Brand and Burrell. He led investigators to the firearm he had hidden under a mattress a few blocks from the scene and was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and firearm offenses; he was held without bail.

Defense attorneys argued Bryant was not criminally responsible because he suffered a psychotic episode possibly brought on by drug use; prosecutors said voluntary intoxication does not excuse criminal responsibility under Maryland law. Bryant was convicted on all charges related to the killings of Rona Brand and Clyde Burrell.

Did anyone in East Baltimore recognize signs of trouble in the household before April 16, 2018?