Tyler J. Parton, 24, of Dover, Delaware, was found dead behind a home in the Pinewood Acres neighborhood on the morning of December 6, 2016. A 911 call reporting gunshots came in at about 3:06 a.m., and at approximately 7:30 a.m. someone reported an unconscious person in the rear yard of a residence in the 400 block of Aspen Drive. Medical personnel pronounced Parton dead at the scene; an autopsy found a single gunshot wound and the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.

Those who knew Parton remembered him as a devoted father who worked in construction and enjoyed racing cars, riding motorcycles and spending time with family and friends.

Delaware State Police initially reported no suspect information; no person of interest, arrest, charge or conviction has been publicly identified. The case was later listed among the Delaware State Police cold cases as case number 09-16-074480 and remains unresolved. If anyone knew Tyler, saw him on the night of December 5–6, 2016, or has information about who fired the shot, please come forward.