Kania Brunson, a 20-year-old woman from Milwaukee, was murdered on September 24, 2022. She spent the morning of that day with 53-year-old Sultan Shareef, described as a long-term partner, and later that day Shareef killed her. Her body was found near Keefe Avenue and Palmer Street after being set on fire. Investigators reported that Brunson had been stabbed and shot, her wrists bound with wire, and her body burned in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

Authorities charged Shareef with first-degree intentional homicide, party to a crime, and mutilating a corpse. A 45-year-old accomplice, Johnny Hopgood, was charged with mutilating a corpse and harboring or aiding a felon; Hopgood later pleaded guilty to lesser charges of resisting and obstructing an officer. At trial a jury convicted Shareef and in December 2023 he was sentenced to life without parole; the judge described the actions as vicious and cruel. Brunson’s family remembers her as outgoing, with hopes for a career in nursing and cosmetology.

If anyone knew Kania, her routines, or saw anything near Keefe Avenue and Palmer Street on or around September 24, 2022, please come forward with information.