In the early morning hours of September 29, 2000, a home security alarm brought Hall County deputies to the Grand Island residence of 63-year-old businessman Joseph L. Joe Parrella Jr. Outside the house they found Parrella shot twice in the torso; an autopsy later confirmed one wound was fatal. A handgun was found near his body and was taken for forensic testing. His wife Shirley was inside the home; investigators believe Parrella had stepped outside to check the alarm when he was killed.

Detectives pursued multiple lines of inquiry, including possible involvement by disgruntled employees at the family’s auto dealership and the theory of a botched burglary, but could not conclusively establish motive. No arrests have been announced and the homicide remains unsolved. If anyone knew Joe Parrella, worked at or around the dealership, or has information about that night, please share what is known.