Clifford Thomas, a 56-year-old African American man from Rockford, Illinois, was found dead in his home on February 21, 2014. Initial reports say he suffered multiple stab wounds and authorities classified his death as a homicide.

Investigators identified several persons of interest early on, including a former acquaintance who was detained for questioning and later released. DNA from the scene was reported matched to a known offender in the national database, and a 45-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; his name has been withheld pending trial. The defense has described the case as circumstantial and challenged the forensic analysis, while prosecutors cite the DNA and witness testimony. Thomas’s family has also filed a wrongful death civil suit against the charged suspect.

Did anyone in Rockford know Clifford Thomas or have information about his contacts in February 2014?