On the night of Sunday, June 30, 2024, gunfire was reported at the intersection of East 51st Street and Park Avenue in Kansas City’s Blue Hills neighborhood. Officers responding about 9:45 p.m. found 79-year-old Ella Monroe inside a vehicle with critical gunshot wounds. She was taken to a nearby hospital and died on Wednesday, July 3, 2024; her death is being investigated as a homicide and counted as the city’s 78th homicide for 2024.

No arrests have been announced. The Kansas City Police Department is asking the public for help and has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest or identification of a suspect. The investigation remains active and authorities continue to seek answers about who was responsible for this killing.

If anyone knew Ella Monroe, witnessed activity around East 51st Street and Park Avenue that night, or has information that could help, please contact the Kansas City Police Department.