On the evening of October 2, 1989, 27-year-old Robert Joe Bell was at a house used for informal gatherings at 1844 North Madison Place in Tulsa. At some point he walked behind the residence, out of sight of the street and those in front. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots from that area; Bell was later found behind the house, mortally wounded by gunshot. His death was ruled a homicide caused by gunshot wounds.

The Tulsa Police Department lists the killing as an open cold case and asks anyone with information to contact its Cold Case Unit.

Did anyone who knew Robert or who frequented North Madison Place around October 2, 1989, see or hear anything that might help investigators?