GREENSBORO --Tuesday would have been Johnny Crosby Jr.'s 33rd Birthday.  But this year, just like last, his family won't get to spend it with him. 

Instead, they're still trying to answer two questions: Why was he in Douglas Park on April 25, 2013 and who killed him?

"We want the park to be an area where children can go to play basketball and do other activities without violence in the park," said Cpl. Mike Matthews, GPD Cold Case.


A place where innocence is supposed to thrive, where children are supposed to play, defiled by a murder.

“We believe this was an intentional act. We believe someone meant to shoot him," said Matthews.

Sgt. Brian Pilcher with Greensboro Police, added, “It was. There was obvious significant trauma to the body.”

But before 30-year-old Johnny Crosby Jr. was torn out of this world, he was part of a big family -- one of five siblings.

“I was the little big sister," said Tecresa Strange, Sister. "He towered over me. It was my comfort. I loved to look up to him. Big smile, natural full hair. A zest for life."

A zest that survived an abusive childhood and broken home.
And years after life separated Crosby and his sister -- Tecresa Strange -- they reunited and things seemed to be moving in the right direction. That changed on April 25, 2013.

“It's going to be a tough case, because it occurred on Thursday night. We didn't locate Mr Crosby deceased until Friday evening," said Matthews. "You have a 24-hour late jump over on that point."

Police got a report of gunshots at Douglas Park, but found nothing until Friday.

“It was late afternoon, still daylight when we got there. We were able to see him out here and the area very well," said Sgt. Brian Pilcher.

Police tape went up. Investigators canvassed the park for evidence and talked to neighbors and anyone they could find who knew Crosby.

“I just think someone saw something or someone knows something and they're afraid to come forward," said Pilcher. "We just got very little information on this case from the very beginning.”

Eventually, they hit a wall.

“No significant suspect has surfaced," said Pilcher. "You like to be able to answer those questions and figure it out. Someone took this person's life. We don't know why it got to that point.”

Matthews added, “We’re missing a piece. The piece we’re missing is why was he in the park to begin with?”

Questions Crosby's sister wishes she had answers to.

"We just want justice," said Strange. "I don't even have hatred anymore for the person or people that did it.  
I have prayed for them. I pray for them to just come forward and ease their hearts."  

Stange says sometimes her brother comes to her in her dreams.

“I don't know what heaven looks like, because I've never been, but I know that's where my brother went," said Strange. "I imagine a big tree and happiness and him under the tree. I want to hug my brother and say, 'We did it. Detective Matthews, the police department, everybody that worked on it, family -- we did it, JJ. We did it.'"

If you have any information about who killed Johnny Crosby Jr. call Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. You can remain anonymous.
For more information on this cold case and others, click here.