A man is murdered in Dayton, OH Demetrius Lamar Wilson, a 33-year-old Black man from Dayton, Ohio, was a father of eight who was remembered for the love he held for his children and family. Born in Dayton on October 23, 1981, to the late Ida and Elgin Wilson II, Demetrius attended Patterson School and worked for several years as a self-employed carpet layer. His life was deeply rooted in his community, surrounded by a large family and a wide circle of friends who cherished him. He was a devoted companion of seven years to his partner, Brandie James, and a loving father to his four daughters, De’Metria, Deserae’, Honest’i, and Tae’Onyah, and four sons, Demetrius Jr., Damaree, Brayden, and Emery.
On Thursday, September 10, 2015, Demetrius's life was tragically cut short. The specific details of what happened that day and where the crime occurred have not been publicly released by authorities. The Dayton Police Department responded to the incident and discovered that Demetrius had been shot and killed.
His death was classified as a homicide, marking another loss to gun violence in the city. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, and investigators have not released information about a possible motive or whether Demetrius was targeted. He died in Dayton, the city where he had been born and raised.
The investigation into Demetrius Wilson’s murder was launched by the Dayton Police Department. Detectives began processing the scene, collecting evidence, and seeking out potential witnesses who might have seen or heard something that could lead to the person or people responsible. Despite their efforts in the initial days and weeks following the homicide, no suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were made. The case soon went cold, leaving his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss.
In the years since his death, the case has remained open but unsolved. The Dayton Police Department continues to hold the file on Demetrius’s homicide, hoping for a break that will allow them to move forward. The Ohio Attorney General's Office includes Demetrius Wilson's case in its public database of unsolved homicides, a quiet testament to a life taken too soon and a plea for public assistance. This listing serves as a reminder that justice has not yet been served and that law enforcement still seeks the information needed to close the case.
Demetrius was preceded in death by his parents and his grandmother, Onnie Wilson. He left behind his eight children, seven siblings, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral service was held for him on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at the Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, followed by his interment at West Memory Gardens. The outpouring of support from those who knew him demonstrated the impact he had on his community.
As of today, the investigation into the murder of Demetrius Wilson is ongoing. There have been no publicly announced suspects or arrests. Law enforcement officials continue to urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. The family and community await the day when they will have answers and the person responsible for his death is held accountable. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation encourages individuals to provide any relevant information that could help bring closure to his loved ones. 
