John Cotton was 66 when he was found shot to death inside the office of his Youngstown automotive business, Cotton’s Automotive Repair, at 2018 McGuffey Road. On May 22, 2008, he had left the shop earlier to visit a junkyard on Atkinson Street; neighbors later saw his pickup in front of the business and, receiving no answer at the door, alerted police. Officers discovered Cotton with a fatal gunshot wound.

The Youngstown Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation have kept the investigation active, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has included the case in its Ohio Unsolved Homicides Initiative to raise public awareness. No significant leads have been reported and the case remains unsolved.

Anyone who knew John, was in the area of McGuffey Road or Atkinson Street on May 22, 2008, or who has information that could help is urged to contact the Youngstown Police Department or submit a tip to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.