In the summer of 2012, 15-year-old Edward Evans Jr. was found dead behind an abandoned house at 1604 Barrett Avenue in Jackson, Mississippi. The Hinds County Coroner, Sharon Grisham Stewart, said dental records were needed to confirm his identity because the body was decomposed and had likely been there at least two weeks. An autopsy determined Evans had been shot in the face.

Evans was a student who had attended Blackburn and Cardoza Middle Schools and was preparing to enter the 9th grade at Jim Hill High School. The discovery deeply affected the neighborhood and the boy’s family.

On August 9, 2012, 25-year-old neighbor Cedric Ratliff surrendered to U.S. Marshals and was charged with murder in the shooting. Evans’ father, Edward Evans Sr., said Ratliff had been like an older brother to his son and believed the shooting was not intentional; neighborhood rumors said Ratliff thought someone was breaking into his home and fired into his backyard. Ratliff was later arrested on a marijuana possession charge while out on bond.

Did anyone in Jackson know Edward or have information about what happened that summer?