A violent home invasion claimed the life of 79-year-old Theophilus Fleming Sr. in Tulsa on the morning of August 13, 1989. His son, Theophilus Jr., went to pick him up around 9:30 a.m. and found his father dead inside their North Hartford Avenue apartment. Fleming Sr. had been strangled and suffered blows to the head; the front door had been forcibly kicked in and several items were reported missing, suggesting robbery as a possible motive.

Despite those clear signs of a forced entry and a violent struggle, the case has grown cold. Investigators have not publicly identified or arrested any suspects, and leads have been scarce. The family has endured further tragedies since, and the murder remains unsolved.

If anyone knew Theophilus Fleming Sr., lived near North Hartford Avenue in 1989, or has information about that break-in and the missing items, please come forward.