CrimeStoppers, Shelby County posts 12 murder cases for $10,000 each

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County announced in a press conference that 12 special awards of $10,000 each have been posted in murder cases from throughout the city.

The CrimeStoppers Spotlight Awards are made possible by anonymous Memphians who are concerned about the rate of serious crime and gun violence in the city. They have contributed $85,000 to make that happen.

The donation along with regular CrimeStoppers budgeted fund makes the $120,000 in potential cash payouts possible.

One of those murder victims is 27-year-old Larry Thorn. Thorn was a beloved school secretary and coach at A. Maceo Walker Middle School.

It’s been seven months since he was found shot to death on Gold Avenue in South Memphis.

Thorn’s case is still unsolved.

“I reflect on the life Larry lived and the good times that we had,” said Thorn’s mother, Lavonda Henderson.

Henderson comes to Shelby Farms Park often to clear her mind and remember her eldest son.

“I have so many questions myself and unsolved answers,” said Henderson. “It’s rough. I try to stay strong. I have a new grandbaby, and he’s the center of my joy right now. He just turned four months old. He helps me as far as peace and coming out here and stuff. It’s still rough.”

CrimeStoppers Executive Director David Wayne Brown announced the largest dollar amount in extra rewards posted at one time Tuesday.

“Crimestoppers today has posted $10,000 in rewards in each of 12 murder cases in our city,” said Brown.

The 12 cases selected are unsolved murders between 2019 and 2023, including Larry’s case.

Brown says these cases were selected because they could be just one or two tips away from being solved, renewing Henderson’s hope they’ll finally get answers.

“You’re helping a family that’s in need,” said Henderson. “We’re in desperate need for some answers. That would bring comfort to myself as well as my family as well as the students that he coached, church and everybody that he meant something to.”

The 12 murder victims are:

Ja’Kobe White, 15, of Memphis, killed May 2, 2021

Andrew Rainer, 22, of Memphis, killed October 3, 2021

Larry Thorn, 27, of Memphis, killed January 20, 2023

Vanity Macklin, 33, of Southaven, killed May 3, 2022

Akeem Brown, 17, of Memphis, killed May 21, 2023

Glenn Cofield, 57, of Memphis, killed June 7, 2019

Marlon Bobo, 29, of Memphis, killed June 18, 2021

Jeffrey Miller, 22, of Memphis, killed March 20, 2022

Donald Ertler, 64, of Memphis, killed December 31, 2021

Xavier Tankersley, 17, of Memphis, killed March 5, 2023

Darwin Hill, 29, of Memphis, killed January 21, 2023

Brown also stated that CrimeStoppers is creating a new website dedicated to informing the public about any additional prizes for local felonies.

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