Michigan True Crime: FBI Offers $10K in Murder of Jerome Ezell

It started like any other Tuesday—until it wasn't. On the morning of November 7, 2017, 27-year-old Jerome Deshaun Ezell dropped off his girlfriend, Jasmine Hill, at work. He was supposed to pick her up later that day. He never showed. The details of his disappearance haunt Lansing, Michigan, to this day.

Last Known Whereabouts

Around 10:45 a.m., Ezell was last seen near the 500 block of S. Clemens Avenue in Lansing, according to WLNS. He was wearing wheat-colored Timberlands, black jeans, a red zip-up, and a black leather jacket.

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When Ezell didn't show up to pick up Hill, she became concerned and, according to WILX, she contacted OnStar to help locate the Chevy Equinox he was driving. By 7:50 p.m., it would be found abandoned on North Fairview—with his 5-month-old son inside.

Ezell was gone.

Vehicle Found, Baby Inside

The Lansing State Journal reported that despite a multi-agency search scouring the wooded area near the vehicle with night vision equipment, no trace of Jerome was found that night. No signs of a struggle. Just a baby boy in a car seat and a baffling mystery.

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Search Efforts and Discovery of Remains

13 months later, authorities found his body on December 12, 2018, 90 miles away from where he disappeared, in Van Buren County. The Michigan State Police (MSP) quickly ruled the case a homicide. But years later, no arrests have been made.

FBI & Reward for Information

In 2021, the FBI added Ezell's case to Michigan's Top 10 Most Wanted cold cases. They're even offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. His loved ones, especially Jasmine Hill, still have faith that justice will be served.

RELATED: Cold Case Breakthrough: DNA Match to Murder Suspect in Michigan

If you know anything—anything—please speak up. No detail is too small.

Submit a Tip

• Michigan State Police at 517-898-1285
• Crime Stoppers at 517-483-STOP
  • anonymous tip
• Detroit FBI Field Office at 313-965-2323

Thanks to tipsters and continued advancements in forensic testing, no cold case is too cold for justice in Michigan.