The body of 19-year-old De’Andre Marquis Palmer of Clarksville, Tennessee, was found in a wooded area in Oak Grove, Kentucky, on July 20, 2016. An Oak Grove police officer, alerted by a strong odor while on patrol near Ghost Bridge on Carter Road, located Palmer several feet from the roadway. He had been reported missing on July 17, 2016.

Authorities identified two suspects and took them into custody. Arrest warrants say the killing occurred July 16, 2016, and allege Leonardo D. Miller instructed Deqavion M. James to shoot Palmer; James fired once on Miller’s signal, then Miller shot Palmer a second time. The warrants also say the suspects robbed Palmer, hid his body in a closet, and later moved and abandoned it on Carter Road. Both were charged with murder, first-degree robbery, and tampering with physical evidence; the Commonwealth initially sought the death penalty.

Both men later accepted plea agreements. Miller pleaded guilty to murder, robbery, and evidence tampering and received 40 years; James pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, first-degree robbery, and tampering with evidence with a recommended 20-year sentence that was imposed by Judge John Atkins. Palmer’s mother addressed James at sentencing, describing her son’s ambitions and saying he and Miller had treated Palmer like garbage.

If anyone knew De’Andre, his movements in July 2016, or has information about the events leading up to his death, please come forward.