James L. Dejarnette Jr., known affectionately to friends and family as "DeJay," was a kind and well-loved 29-year-old man deeply rooted in his Virginia Beach, Virginia, community. A Black male, James was known for his active participation in his church, where he lent his voice to the gospel choir. He also dedicated his time to mentoring local children, helping to run before- and after-school programs that provided a safe and nurturing environment for them. His commitment to his community and his warm presence made his sudden and violent death a profound shock to all who knew him.
The night of March 14, 2000, was the last time anyone is known to have heard from James. He was on the phone with a friend at approximately 9:35 p.m. Just a few hours later, in the early morning of Wednesday, March 15, the Virginia Beach Police Department received a call at 12:40 a.m. They responded to a duplex in the 1500 block of New York Avenue in the Oceana Gardens neighborhood, where James's roommate had made a devastating discovery. Inside their home, the roommate found James deceased. An investigation by the State Medical Examiner's Office later determined that he had died from a gunshot wound, and his death was officially ruled a homicide.
The initial investigation by Virginia Beach Police uncovered several key details. Detectives noted that some items had been stolen from the residence, suggesting that robbery may have been a motive for the attack. A week after the murder, another piece of evidence surfaced when James's vehicle was found abandoned a short distance from his home, adding another layer to the unfolding mystery. Despite these findings, the investigation struggled to gain momentum, and for years, the case grew cold, leaving his loved ones without answers and his killer at large.
Nearly a decade later, in 2009, a fresh set of detectives was assigned to the cold case, breathing new life into the investigation. Their reassessment of the evidence led them to a significant new lead. A witness came forward who claimed to have seen James with another individual outside a 7-Eleven convenience store just hours before his body was discovered. This person was seen getting into James's car with him and was believed to be one of the last people to see him alive.
The witness provided a description of this person of interest: a Black male, estimated to be in his early twenties, standing about five feet nine inches tall and weighing around 190 pounds. He was described as having very short hair. This description generated hope that a suspect might finally be identified. However, despite the renewed efforts and the promising lead, authorities were unable to locate or identify the man seen with James that night.
Years have continued to pass, but the case of who killed James Dejarnette Jr. remains unsolved. No arrests have ever been made, and no suspects have been publicly named in connection with his murder. The Virginia Beach Police Department's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to hold the file, waiting for the one piece of information that could break the case open. As of early 2025, his family and friends are still waiting for justice, holding onto the memory of a man who gave so much to his community. The case remains a painful, unanswered question for a family and a city that lost a beloved son.
