Jerry Denman was a 41-year-old Black man from Detroit, known locally as Doug and long associated with the city’s east side. In the months before his death his family said he lacked stable housing and struggled with serious mental-health issues; they stressed he could appear unpredictable to strangers but was not a threat to others.

On the evening of Wednesday, July 5, 2017, he was seen riding a distinctive pink bicycle along Gratiot Avenue, headed to buy cigarettes. By the next day his body was found outside a vacant house at 14473 Maddelein, between Gratiot and Monarch, near Seven Mile Road and Gratiot; he had been shot multiple times. Investigators reportedly brought someone in for questioning but announced no arrest, and police said they had no clear motive.

Crime Stoppers of Michigan offered up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. If anyone knew Jerry, saw him that evening, or has information about the vacant property on Maddelein, please come forward to help the family and investigators close this case.