Kelly Anthony Hays, 66, was well known in northwest Oklahoma City as the quiet proprietor of 30 Penn Books, a used bookstore near Northwest 30th Street and North Pennsylvania Avenue. On the afternoon of September 14, 2017, fire crews responding to a blaze at the cramped shop found Hays’ body beneath a pile of books a short distance inside the front. He had suffered multiple sharp-force injuries; an autopsy documented nineteen distinct stab wounds. Arson investigators concluded the fire was set after the attack, and police treated the death as a homicide tied to a robbery.

Surveillance footage from nearby businesses showed a man entering and leaving the store, spending about seventeen minutes inside; bus-route images captured him walking near a bus stop shortly before the fire call. Investigators later identified Kenton Eugene Busby, who was arrested October 10, 2017, on a complaint of first-degree murder. In March 2018 Busby pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree arson, admitting responsibility for the stabbing and the fire. The motive remains unclear.

If anyone knew Kelly, worked at or visited 30 Penn Books, or saw activity near the store on September 14, 2017, please share what might help.