Darvell Barra, an 18-year-old African-American man, was found dead shortly after 7 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2015, in New Orleans. His body was discovered behind an oak tree on the front lawn of a residence in the 8000 block of Vanderkloot Avenue. The homeowner made the discovery and noted Barra’s hands were folded across his body. The New Orleans Police Department opened a homicide investigation.

Neighbors wondered whether the body had been moved, but a single shell casing found near the curb by an ATF ballistics dog indicated the shooting may have occurred at that location; investigators planned ballistics testing to see if the casing matched the fatal wounds. No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly identified, and the case is cold. Barra had attended John McDonough High School and was a graduate of the Youth Challenge Program; he was laid to rest on March 21, 2015. If anyone has information about that morning on Vanderkloot Avenue, please come forward.