Jaytwan McNeal, a 23-year-old African American man, was reported missing on September 25, 2021, four days after he was last seen leaving his apartment complex in Oakland Park, Florida. Cellphone data showed he was in Palm Beach County on September 21, with all phone activity stopping at 10:48 p.m. that night. McNeal had traveled to Palm Beach County to meet a longtime friend and schoolmate, 22-year-old Sophia Valdez.

Investigators say a tipster identified Sophia’s older brother, 24-year-old Luis Valdez, as the shooter. Authorities report surveillance video and phone records placed McNeal in Palm Beach County and corroborated parts of the tip. The tipster alleged McNeal was shot, wrapped in a blue tarp, placed in Sophia’s car and discarded in a dumpster. Arrest reports describe efforts to hide the crime, including cleaning the car with peroxide and other solutions, burning clothes and destroying McNeal’s cellphone.

On November 8, 2021, Sophia and Luis Valdez were arrested and charged with first-degree murder; additional charges included Luis Valdez being a felon in possession of a firearm and Sophia Valdez being charged with accessory after the fact to a capital felony. Did anyone who knew Jaytwan or saw him in Palm Beach County on September 21 come forward with information?