A chilling case, years in the making, has reached a turning point in Kalamazoo, Michigan. , marked the arrest of Rajai Keyontae Brown, 44, in connection with the discovery of the remains of Tarra Mayes, 46, and Alfred Simpson, 67, found concealed within a shed on North Rose Street.
The grim discovery was made by the new homeowner of the property, who was undertaking renovations when they stumbled upon the decomposed bodies. Evidence at the scene indicated the victims had been deceased for a “significant period of time” before being found, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS). The bodies were described as being “wrapped up” in an unusual manner, further deepening the mystery surrounding their deaths.
The case quickly became a local focus, with authorities confirming the identities of the victims and launching a homicide investigation. Family members reported that Mayes had been missing for approximately a year and a half prior to the discovery of her remains. The initial investigation stalled, leaving the families of both victims in a state of uncertainty and grief.
The breakthrough in the case came nearly three years later, with a witness coming forward alleging Brown’s involvement. According to court records, Brown allegedly confessed to an altercation with Mayes, claiming he took a knife from her during an argument and subsequently stabbed her. When Simpson attempted to intervene, Brown allegedly stabbed him as well. Phone records reportedly placed Brown in the vicinity of the crime scene the day following the murders.
Brown was arraigned on two counts of open murder on , and his bond was denied. The charges were authorized by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office on , following a lengthy investigation by the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division. The arrest was lauded by KDPS Captain Danielle Guilds, who emphasized the “tireless dedication and unwavering focus” of the detectives involved.
The news of Brown’s arrest has brought a mix of relief and renewed pain to the families of the victims. Aileena Hollin, Mayes’s daughter, expressed the profound loss and the lack of justification for the crime, stating, “There’s nothing… no reason, no explanation that this man can give— to make it OK for what he did because it’s never going to be OK. He took a mother of two away from her kids.” Courtney Simpson, Alfred Simpson’s son, conveyed his family’s long wait for justice and their hope that the charges represent a step towards closure.
The case highlights the complexities of cold case investigations and the importance of persistent detective work. The discovery of the bodies by a new homeowner underscores the unsettling reality that hidden tragedies can lie dormant for years, only to be unearthed unexpectedly. The KDPS continues to appeal to the public for any information related to the case, encouraging anyone with knowledge to come forward.
Brown’s preliminary examination is scheduled for , at which point further details of the prosecution’s case are expected to be revealed. The legal proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched by the Kalamazoo community and the families of Tarra Mayes and Alfred Simpson, who have endured years of uncertainty and grief.
