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One year later, murder of pair at Rocky River Reservation remains unsolved; Reward of up to $100,000 available

"It remains our priority to bring justice for the victims of this case."

CLEVELAND — A full year has passed since Katherine Brown and Carnell Sledge were murdered in the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation.

Yet, the mystery remains unsolved. 

The bodies were discovered around 5:22 p.m. on June 4, 2019, north of the Lorain Road bridge. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office said both victims were shot in the head.

The two arrived to the park in separate vehicles, parking in the lot north of the bridge around 5:04 p.m. The pair, who police say were longtime friends, sat on a park bench by the river for a short time before they were shot sometime between 5:08 to 5:15 p.m.

The kayakers who found them arrived about three minutes later.

On Thursday, a tribute was held at the Rocky River Metroparks to honor Kate and Nell. Family and friends asked anyone to come for the '1 Year Luminaria Tribute' between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Credit: WKYC
Credit: WKYC

RELATED: Mark Naymik Reports | Rocky River Reservation, where two people were murdered in June, now getting less police attention

In a statement, Cleveland Metroparks told 3News the following:

"There is no public update on the investigation at this time. Especially today our thoughts and prayers are with the Brown and Sledge families. Cleveland Metroparks Police, together with the FBI, continues to follow up on all leads in the case. If anyone has additional information related to the case they are urged to call Cleveland Metroparks Police Department at 440-331-5219, the Cleveland Bureau of the FBI at 216-622-6842 or Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463, and could be eligible for a reward up to $100,000. It remains our priority to bring justice for the victims of this case."

A reward of up to $100,000 is available for information that leads to the successful identification and prosecution of those responsible. The reward money is comprised of up to: $25,000 from the FBI, $5,000 from Crime Stoppers and $70,000 from the Brown family, for a total of up to $100,000.

RELATED: Family increases reward to $100,000 to help solve Rocky River Reservation murders

Tips can be provided to the Cleveland Division of the FBI at 216-622-6842, Cleveland Metroparks Police Department at 440-331-5219, or Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463. Tips can remain anonymous.

“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 in Charge Eric B. Smith in February when the additional reward money from the Brown family was offered. 

"We're hoping this amount of money will bring someone forward. Someone has information. Somebody knows possibly who did it, possibly has information, period," Brown's mother told 3News in February. 

RELATED: Mother of Rocky River Reservation murder victim: 'The killer is still out there'

Brown's mother also emphasized that anyone providing a tip can remain strictly anonymous.

"We want the public to continue to realize that the killer, or killers, is still out there," she added.

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