David Van Pay

A decade has passed, but the questions surrounding the death of David Van Pay remain unanswered. A 40-year-old white man, David was found killed in his own home in Phoenix, Arizona, leaving a case that has grown cold but has not been forgotten by investigators. The community continues to hope that someone with information will come forward to bring closure to this long-unsolved homicide.

The discovery was made on Friday, May 2, 2014, at David's residence in the 5100 block of North 18th Avenue. This area, part of the Alhambra neighborhood in central Phoenix, consists of single-family homes and apartment complexes. It was within one of these residences that David’s life was tragically cut short. Police responded to the scene and found him with a fatal gunshot wound. Details about what led to the shooting, whether there were signs of forced entry, or what the motive might have been have not been released to the public.

The Phoenix Police Department opened a homicide investigation, cataloged as case number 2014-1776. Detectives processed the scene, searching for evidence and speaking with anyone who might have seen or heard something unusual. However, the initial investigation did not lead to a suspect. No arrests have ever been made in connection with David's murder, and no persons of interest have been publicly identified.

In the years since, David's case has been placed in the hands of the Phoenix Police Department's Cold Case Homicide Unit. This specialized team of detectives is tasked with re-examining unsolved murders, looking for new leads that may have been missed or that might emerge with the passage of time. They apply new technologies in forensic science, such as advanced DNA or ballistics analysis, to evidence that was collected years ago. They also hope that relationships and loyalties change over time, and that a witness who was once afraid to speak might finally feel safe enough to share what they know.

Very little personal information about David Van Pay has been shared publicly. Details about his family, his work, or his passions remain private. It is known that he attended Kentwood High School in Kent, Washington, at some point, but his life in Phoenix remains largely undetailed in public records. This lack of available information adds another layer of tragedy to his death, leaving a portrait of a man known more by the circumstances of his unsolved murder than by the life he lived.

The investigation into the murder of David Van Pay remains open and active. Law enforcement and community partners continue to seek the public's help in solving this crime. Silent Witness, an organization that works with the media and law enforcement to find anonymous tips, is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest in this case. As of May 2024, more than ten years after his death, the case is still considered a cold case, waiting for the one crucial tip that could provide answers and deliver justice for David.