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Unsolved Mysteries Recap for Park Bench Murders

Volume 5: Episode 1: Park Bench Murders

Rocky River Reservation. Cleveland, Ohio. We hear a 911 call stating that two people in that area had been shot to death. The call took place on June 4^th, 2019 after two people came to the area in hopes of kayaking.

The man and woman who found the bodies (Tony and Kaitlin)describe finding the bodies and the disturbing scene they stumbled upon.

Kaitlin recalls seeing a truck with a man sitting in there and wondered if he was connected to the murders. The two of them called the cops and waited for help to arrive.

Detective Don Sylvis remembers responding to the scene and describes a similar scene where he found a black man and white woman shot to death in the park. At the time he inferred that it was either a double murder or murder suicide. Further investigation showed that it was a double murder and they were shot in close proximity.

Authorities now had the job of trying to identify the victims. Assistant prosecuting attorney Saleh Awadallah was on hand to answer legal questions on the case.

The two unoccupied cars in the parking lot were registered to Kate Brown and Carnell Sledge, who were soon identified as the victims.

Kate’s parents Tom and Kim Brown remember the police coming to the house and getting the news about their daughter’s murder. Carnell’s parents Carl and Darlene also recall getting such a visit, one no parent wants to receive.

Nobody could figure out why anyone would want to kill either one of them and were left in a state of shock. Kim had no idea how she was going to tell her daughters that their sister was dead.

The Browns share home movies as Kate’s sisters Lauren and Alexandra share memories of her younger sister’s growing up years. They recall her as a fun, goofy girl, but say she struggled with depression, anxiety and drinking.

At the time of her death, she was working on her sobriety and career in marketing and seemed to be happier.

Alexandra and Lauren talk about the unique relationship she had with Carnell, whom they referred to as Nell. They had been friends for years and even if they didn’t speak for some time, they would find their way back into each other’s lives.

Darlene and Carl share their memories of Nell’s growing up years. His grandma Audrey and brother Terrance also share their memories of him and how he was a gentle teddy bear of a guy. Nell loved working with kids and worked as a basketball coach for kids with disabilities. He was very loved and remembered by his team to this day.

Kate’s family describes the Metropark area where she lived as an area that welcomed people from all walks of life. They remember her often meeting friends in that area.

Chief Kelly Stillman says it was not a crime ridden area and that the last homicide took place over 20 years ago. He says the double murder was a very strange occurrence.

The area where Nell and Kate were killed was well populated and filled with traffic, making it strange that nobody would have seen the murders.

The man in the truck was questioned and claimed he worked for a roofing company and was doing estimates at the time of the murder. He recalled seeing them arrive, but he did not hear or see anything else. Nell’s family find this hard to believe.

Due to the type of gun used, authorities believe that this is possible, but considered him a person of interest. He was soon cleared when it was proven he was working at the time of the murders.

Both Kate and Nell’s cell phones and wallets were recovered, ruling out robbery as a motive. Blood found behind the bench inferred that they were shot from behind.

Alexandra describes how Nell and Kate were shot and how Kate attempted to flee. She also believes that Nell was trying to protect Kate.

Authorities try to figure out how the killer could have escaped, inferring that he or she went through a nearby parking lot, possibly by foot or bike once they hit a nearby trail close to the Lorain Avenue Bridge.