Reward Increased For Tips On Double Murder In Ohio Park

FAIRVIEW PARK, OH — In early June, two people were shot and killed while sitting on a park bench in the Rocky River Reservation. Months later, investigators are increasing the reward money offered to tipsters for information on the murders.

On June 4, Katherine "Kate" Brown, 33, and Carnell Sledge, 40, were shot and killed near the Lorain Road Bridge. Law enforcement have been unable to identify their killer, so the FBI is increasing the available reward money to $25,000.

“Someone in the public holds the vital piece of information needed to provide Kate and Carnell’s family’s an answer. If you have information regarding these unsolved murders, please contact law enforcement immediately. The families and the community need closure,” said FBI Special Agent Eric Smith.

The FBI said numerous tips and investigative leads have been pursued, but have yet to produce any results.

“Cleveland Metroparks Police, together with the FBI, continues to actively investigate the homicides of Katherine Brown and Carnell Sledge that occurred in Rocky River Reservation on June 4, 2019,” said Cleveland Metroparks Police Chief Katherine Dolan. “We’re thankful for these additional resources and hope it will encourage anyone with information to come forward and help bring justice for the victims of this crime.”

Tips can be provided to the FBI at 216-622-6842, Cleveland Metroparks at 440-331-5219 or Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463. Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available for information leading to the successful identification and prosecution of the individual responsible for the killings.