Herbert Jolley, 88, a Black man from Birmingham, was found dead inside his home on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Officers were called to the 200 block of 11th Avenue Southwest at about 2:15 that afternoon and discovered him lying across his bed. Investigators said the case quickly felt deeply personal; they believed Jolley likely knew the person who killed him and had allowed that person into the house. His death was later described publicly as a homicide, and a memorial service was set for March 9, 2013.

Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper appealed for the real story of Jolley’s final hours, asking whether he had disagreements with anyone or whether his behavior had changed before his death. Follow-up public appeals for tips appeared in September and November 2013, and the reports reviewed do not name a suspect or describe an arrest. Who in the neighborhood might have known Herbert Jolley’s movements or been aware of tensions in his life?