Post by hi224 on Jan 6, 2021 21:41:52 GMT
In July 2011, Brandon Cartellone had just finished his junior year at the Cleveland Institute of Art where he studied Industrial Design. He was 21 years old and lived alone in an apartment in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood, known for its historical buildings, lively art scene, and trendy restaurants. It's located on Cleveland's West Side and is considered a relatively safe area compared to other sections of the city.
Brandon worked a few part-time jobs, had two internships, and even helped sell pizzas some weekends. He also attended school full time. He had a large group of friends and network through school and his engagement in the art scene. He also had a girlfriend, and was close with his family who lived nearby in Parma Heights where he had grown up and graduated from high school. People describe him as generous, kind, creative, and humorous. He was ready to start his last year of school and after graduation he had plans to relocate and make a name for himself. Life was good for Brandon.
Brandon's promising life took a tragic turn on the night of July 26, 2011. His girlfriend arrived at his second floor apartment at about 1:30 am and let herself in through the unlocked door. Inside, she found Brandon with his hands and feet bound with belts and duct tape to a chair and covered in blood. He had been savagely beaten and strangled to death. There was also a large injury to his abdomen described as a gash in some articles and a gunshot in others. It's not clear to me if he died from a gunshot or strangulation and beating. She immediately called the police.
Apart from the gruesome crime scene, police saw no obvious signs of a prolonged struggle, indications of a forced entry, or evidence pointing to a robbery. However, they did find a substantial amount of cash not hidden, marijuana growing equipment, and three pot plants. It was discovered at that point that Brandon was also earning money by selling weed. It's unclear if that provided a motive for his murder but if so, why was weed and cash left behind? Would people murder for just a small amount of weed?
In the days following the murder, Brandon's mother began her own investigation as she sensed law enforcement were preoccupied with another case. She learned from a female neighbor that the day before Brandon was killed, he had a loud argument with a group of guys on his doorstep. The men left eventually but the neighbor said they be back later. She felt it might have been a factor in his murder so Brandon's mom arranged a meeting with police who interviewed her one time. No further description of the men or details regarding the fight have been released.
Brandon's mom also found a series of texts between her son and an individual that went back and forth all day on the day he was killed. It was the last person Brandon communicated with. The individual wanted to buy weed. She turned that information over to police. Likewise, she's supplied police information from his neighbors who told her that Brandon's front door was propped open for a time which was out of the ordinary.
It's been over 9 years since Brandon was killed and there have been no arrests. Early on, Police told Brandon's mom they had a suspect but nothing became of it. His mother continues to press detectives and to keep his story alive. She believes more than one person was involved. Four years ago an update noted that the U.S. Marshalls had joined the investigation and were assisting local law enforcement, but no updates since then.
The weed angle is interesting but I don't tend to think of pot as a drug associated with such violence. His operation was small scale so I wonder if that's a red herring? I also find it odd that money was not taken. It appeared nothing was taken. I'm very curious about why the U.S. Marshalls joined the case. Any thoughts?
Apart from the witness account of the loud argument, Brandon seemed well liked and known in his community. He was integral to the growing art scene and had no known enemies. His relationship was long-term and stable Yet, he died a very brutal death.
The following is a quote from the website his mother created in her pursuit of justice:
"Brandon was killed by a criminal, without conscious or remorse. We tend to think that things like this can’t, don’t happen to good people – that somehow “me” or “my children, my family, the people I love” won’t be involved in anything that would put them in danger. The fact is that criminals, like the person who killed Brandon, are not concerned about who they kill. They don’t stop to think about the innocent lives they cut short or the families they tear apart."
www.cleveland19.com/story/15155385/police-man-found-dead-in-tremont-apartment-had-hands-feet-bound/
justiceforbrandoncartellone.com
www.google.com/amp/s/www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/02/03/brandon-cartellone-was-murdered-in-his-tremont-apartment-five-and-a-half-years-ago-his-mother-is-still-waiting-for-justice%3fmedia=AMP%2520HTML
www.google.com/amp/s/www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/local-mothers-mission-to-find-her-sons-killer-after-he-was-murdered-in-his-tremont-apartment%3f_amp=true
Brandon worked a few part-time jobs, had two internships, and even helped sell pizzas some weekends. He also attended school full time. He had a large group of friends and network through school and his engagement in the art scene. He also had a girlfriend, and was close with his family who lived nearby in Parma Heights where he had grown up and graduated from high school. People describe him as generous, kind, creative, and humorous. He was ready to start his last year of school and after graduation he had plans to relocate and make a name for himself. Life was good for Brandon.
Brandon's promising life took a tragic turn on the night of July 26, 2011. His girlfriend arrived at his second floor apartment at about 1:30 am and let herself in through the unlocked door. Inside, she found Brandon with his hands and feet bound with belts and duct tape to a chair and covered in blood. He had been savagely beaten and strangled to death. There was also a large injury to his abdomen described as a gash in some articles and a gunshot in others. It's not clear to me if he died from a gunshot or strangulation and beating. She immediately called the police.
Apart from the gruesome crime scene, police saw no obvious signs of a prolonged struggle, indications of a forced entry, or evidence pointing to a robbery. However, they did find a substantial amount of cash not hidden, marijuana growing equipment, and three pot plants. It was discovered at that point that Brandon was also earning money by selling weed. It's unclear if that provided a motive for his murder but if so, why was weed and cash left behind? Would people murder for just a small amount of weed?
In the days following the murder, Brandon's mother began her own investigation as she sensed law enforcement were preoccupied with another case. She learned from a female neighbor that the day before Brandon was killed, he had a loud argument with a group of guys on his doorstep. The men left eventually but the neighbor said they be back later. She felt it might have been a factor in his murder so Brandon's mom arranged a meeting with police who interviewed her one time. No further description of the men or details regarding the fight have been released.
Brandon's mom also found a series of texts between her son and an individual that went back and forth all day on the day he was killed. It was the last person Brandon communicated with. The individual wanted to buy weed. She turned that information over to police. Likewise, she's supplied police information from his neighbors who told her that Brandon's front door was propped open for a time which was out of the ordinary.
It's been over 9 years since Brandon was killed and there have been no arrests. Early on, Police told Brandon's mom they had a suspect but nothing became of it. His mother continues to press detectives and to keep his story alive. She believes more than one person was involved. Four years ago an update noted that the U.S. Marshalls had joined the investigation and were assisting local law enforcement, but no updates since then.
The weed angle is interesting but I don't tend to think of pot as a drug associated with such violence. His operation was small scale so I wonder if that's a red herring? I also find it odd that money was not taken. It appeared nothing was taken. I'm very curious about why the U.S. Marshalls joined the case. Any thoughts?
Apart from the witness account of the loud argument, Brandon seemed well liked and known in his community. He was integral to the growing art scene and had no known enemies. His relationship was long-term and stable Yet, he died a very brutal death.
The following is a quote from the website his mother created in her pursuit of justice:
"Brandon was killed by a criminal, without conscious or remorse. We tend to think that things like this can’t, don’t happen to good people – that somehow “me” or “my children, my family, the people I love” won’t be involved in anything that would put them in danger. The fact is that criminals, like the person who killed Brandon, are not concerned about who they kill. They don’t stop to think about the innocent lives they cut short or the families they tear apart."
www.cleveland19.com/story/15155385/police-man-found-dead-in-tremont-apartment-had-hands-feet-bound/
justiceforbrandoncartellone.com
www.google.com/amp/s/www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/02/03/brandon-cartellone-was-murdered-in-his-tremont-apartment-five-and-a-half-years-ago-his-mother-is-still-waiting-for-justice%3fmedia=AMP%2520HTML
www.google.com/amp/s/www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/local-mothers-mission-to-find-her-sons-killer-after-he-was-murdered-in-his-tremont-apartment%3f_amp=true
