Keith Bosley

A man is found dead inside his residence
Keith Alan Bosley was a beloved son, father, and grandfather known for his love of football and his signature cowboy hats. A Columbus, Ohio, native, the 56-year-old Black man was a former running back and middle linebacker for Northland High School. He continued his passion for the sport by playing in college and semi-professionally. Those who knew him best remembered him as a well-liked man who was always ready to help his mother and daughter, who were central figures in his life. His family was left with unanswerable questions on a quiet weekend in the fall of 2018.

On the morning of Sunday, September 23, 2018, Keith’s girlfriend grew concerned. She had texted him around 6:30 a.m. but received no reply. At about 10:30 a.m., she went to his home in the 1800 block of Robert Street in the North Linden neighborhood to check on him. There, at his back doorway, she made a devastating discovery: Keith was deceased. He had been shot and killed sometime during the overnight hours. Investigators with the Columbus Police Department believe he was shot immediately after opening his back door for someone he likely knew. His death was recorded as the 77th homicide in Columbus that year.

The investigation into Keith Bosley's murder was handled by the Columbus Police Homicide Unit. Detectives worked the scene, but no suspect was immediately identified, and no arrests were made. The case eventually grew cold, leaving his family in a painful state of limbo. A year after his death, his family spoke out, desperate for answers and a sense of closure. His mother, Elizabeth McIver, expressed her belief that Keith must have known his killer. "Whoever did it, he had to have known them to open up the door for them," she said. "I just hope and pray this case gets solved."

The most significant lead in the case came from a witness who reported seeing a dark-colored SUV in the alley near Keith's home around the time of the murder. The vehicle was described as having distinctive "blue parking lights." Despite this information and identifying a person of interest, police have not publicly named a suspect or made an arrest in the case. The lack of progress has been agonizing for Keith's loved ones.

In November 2019, more than a year after the killing, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers highlighted Keith's case as its "Crime of the Week" in an effort to generate new leads. His family used the opportunity to make a public plea for information. His daughter spoke of the difficulty of grieving without justice, explaining the need to know who was responsible. "For me it's about forgiveness: how am I supposed to forgive if I don't know who to forgive?" she asked. "Someone knows something. We're begging you, just speak up. Do the right thing."

As of November 2019, the investigation into Keith Bosley’s homicide remains open and unsolved. His family continues to wait for the breakthrough that will bring them peace and provide accountability for the person who took him from them. A reward is available through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers for any information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the dark-colored SUV with blue parking lights is urged to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).