Possible connection between 5-year-old double murder, West Park murder-suicide: Metroparks

FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Metroparks Police are looking into possible connections between a five-year-old double murder and the recent West Park murder-suicide.

According to the director of communications from Cleveland Metroparks, police are specifically looking into Bryan Hurt, the suspect who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after murdering his neighbor.

Carnell Sledge and Kate Brown, two longtime friends, were murdered near a park bench in the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation almost six years ago on June 4, 2019.

Sledge and Brown were killed in broad daylight at the busy park. Both had been shot in the head.

Their killer has not been found.

Earlier this month, Hurt allegedly shot and killed his neighbor, 68-year-old Thomas Overall, in broad daylight.

The shooting happened on the 15700 block of Munn Road in the West Park neighborhood.

The families of Sledge and Brown released a statement Saturday morning thanking community members for the outpouring of support.

The families also said they intend to announce plans for this year’s memorial soon.

19 News asked Metroparks if a specific lead drew them to look into Hurt but Metroparks has yet to respond.

A $100,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest. Tipsters will stay anonymous.

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