Richard Cardwell

On June 12, 2017, Richard Cardwell, an 80-year-old resident of Columbus, Ohio, was found dead in his home on the 900 block of Roys Avenue. Cardwell had been shot multiple times, and his girlfriend discovered him when she returned home from running errands shortly before 10 a.m. She immediately called the police and emergency services, but Cardwell was pronounced dead at the scene by the responding Columbus Fire Department crew. The incident occurred in the Hilltop neighborhood, and Cardwell's death was recorded as the 59th homicide in Columbus that year.

Law enforcement officials have struggled to find leads in this case. No suspect information or clear motive for the crime was immediately available, leaving Cardwell's murder classified as unsolved. The Columbus Police Department's Homicide Unit, along with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), has continued to seek public assistance in solving the crime. Efforts include appealing for tips through the Ohio Attorney General’s database, which aims to draw more attention to cold cases like Cardwell’s. Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact the Columbus Police Department, hoping that even small details might help bring closure to the victim's family and justice to those responsible.

The investigation into Richard Cardwell's death remains open, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting have left the community and family members grappling with a sense of loss and unanswered questions. His tragic death highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving such cases without clear evidence or witness accounts.