Gerardo Mejia-Diaz was 25 when he died in the early morning fire at the Lincoln Park West Apartments in Columbus, Ohio, on September 12, 2004. He was one of ten people killed when flames swept through the building; survivors described frantic yelling and pounding on doors as the blaze spread and trapped residents, especially on the upper floors.

The fire was later ruled arson, and investigators from local law enforcement, the Ohio State Fire Marshal, and the ATF conducted a wide-scale inquiry. Firefighters battled rapidly moving flames that blocked stairways and primary exits, preventing many from escaping. Despite extensive investigation and a Crime Stoppers reward, the arsonist or arsonists have not been identified.

Anyone with information about the Lincoln Park West Apartments fire or Gerardo Mejia-Diaz’s last known whereabouts is asked to come forward.