Books are closed on 8 homicide cases in May thanks to tips to CrimeStoppers

Eight tipsters to CrimeStoppers received awards in May for their help solving homicide cases. Four tips led to the identity and arrests of suspects unknown to authorities. Four other cases helped authorities locate fugitive suspects in murder cases.

One case started out as a missing person's report in November, 2017.

Sean Turner had been visiting from California and had disappeared while in town, his daughter reported from an address on North Main Street downtown. The case morphed into a murder investigation when eight days later someone called the anonymous CrimeStoppers tips line to report that one Larry Milam had killed Turner.

The case remained open and threatened to become a cold case. Neither Turner nor his body were found.

But more than 14 months later, on January 22, 2019, the remains of a body were discovered near the intersection of Fields Road and Cook Road, just south of Fuller State Park in South Memphis. The remains were subsequently identified as Turner's.

Now a homicide case was hot again and the ensuing investigation led to an indictment of Milam for first-degree murder in Turner's death. Awarded to the tipster from 2017: $1,000.

Because of the eight homicide cases - $1,000 awarded in four and $500 in four others - CrimeStoppers had one of its costliest months on record in May. A total of $12,350 was set aside to be paid to 25 citizens for helping solve felony
crimes.



Third annual CrimeStoppers golf tourney  scheduled September 30 
at TPC Southwind



The Phelps Security CrimeStoppers golf tournament will be held a month later this year than in the past, and the organization has put out a call for both sponsors and players. 

With the slogan "Play where the pros play, and help fight crime," the tournament is a fundraising event to help refill the organization's coffers after months like May when thousands of dollars are awarded to citizens whose tips led to solving major crimes (see above story). 

"We are very glad to pay out those awards when tips lead to solving felonies -- especially when we help solve several murder cases in 30 days!" said E. Winslow (Buddy) Chapman. 

" Of course, we continuously have to raise more money so that our work can continue unabated," he added. 

CrimeStoppers is a nonprofit, independent organization. Private donations and fundraising make it possible to pay out $100,000, or more, each year to tipsters. 

Click here for more information on the 2019 golf tournament. 

JUNE
2019
Special fund set
In Cofield case

A total $25,000 in funds were received by CrimeStoppers by March 11 to help establish an extraordinary award in the slaying of local businessman Glenn Cofield on March 7.

The case remains open and police and CrimeStoppers are actively seeking tips to help bring the shooter to justice. Cofield, 57, was killed while leaving a charity event in Midtown. This is the largest extra award made available by CrimeStoppers since the Laylah Washington case.


Support
 CrimeStoppers, 
dad will be proud

CrimeStoppers participates in the Amazon Smile program (and Father's Day is this Sunday). 

You can buy a gift for dad and support CrimeStoppers at the same time. Click here and follow the prompt to set CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County as your charity. 


CrimeStoppers
by the numbers

Memphis Police cleared 25 cases in May thanks to tips received by CrimeStoppers.

Besides eight homicide cases, tips led to solving a rape case, several aggravated assault cases, a business burglary, two aggravated robberies and an
aggravated stalking.

The cases included the arrests of 26 felons, including 17 fugitives from justice.

The overall number of tips received - 2,622 - is up 21% over the past 11 months when compared to the previous year.


Websites continue 
to build awareness

CrimeStoppers and its many programs are explained - and the public is engaged - in various places on the internet.
 
Our main website explains the organization's purpose, and keeps count on major cases in which police need help from citizens -   crimestopmem.org.
 
A companion site helps students keep their schools safer -   trustpays.org.

Senior citizens who are afraid or otherwise need help can find information they can use at another site -
 
Spanish-speaking citizens can learn about CrimeStoppers on a fourth site -
 
Because the theft of copper and other metals has become a major problem in the metro area we launched CopperStoppers:

Now the public can view the list of current fugitives, including photos on our newest site - memphismostwanted.org

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There you will find up-to-date information about your hometown and how you can help us make Memphis a safer place for everyone.