Markus Maurice Pate, 34, was found dead in his Columbus, Mississippi, apartment in the 300 block of 11th Street South on the morning of Saturday, October 13, 2018. Authorities determined he died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Investigators concluded the killing was not random. There was no sign of forced entry, which led authorities to focus on people known to Pate. The probe quickly centered on two people: 23-year-old Victoria Hunter Slayton of Caledonia and 25-year-old Malcolm Marquiles Tawon Hill of Shannon. Police said the pair, who were in a romantic relationship, had conspired to rob Pate of drugs and that the planned robbery escalated to murder. Both were arrested within days of the discovery and charged with capital murder.

What details about the incident or the relationship between the victim and the two charged individuals might help explain how the robbery turned deadly? If anyone knew Markus Pate or has information about that October morning, please come forward.