On the morning of Tuesday, December 7, 2004, Darryl Lee Jefferson, 43, was found unconscious in front of a residence on the 1900 block of 17th Street SE in Southeast Washington, D.C. Emergency responders arrived about 9:10 a.m., and Jefferson was taken to Howard University Hospital, where he later died from a severe head injury. The D.C. Medical Examiner’s autopsy determined he had been beaten; the cause of death was ruled homicide due to blunt force impact trauma.

Jefferson lived on the 1600 block of U Street SE at the time. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide and Sexual Offenses Branch opened an investigation and lists his death among the city’s unsolved 2004 homicides. There has been no public announcement of arrests or identified suspects, and a reward is being offered for information leading to arrest and conviction.

If anyone knew Darryl, saw activity on 17th Street SE that morning, or has information about this beating, please contact the Metropolitan Police Department.