KANSAS CITY, Kans. -- The FBI and the U.S. Attorney for Kansas announced Thursday that a $100,000 reward is offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the death of Alonzo Brooks, who died in 2004.
An autopsy did not point to a certain cause of death. The FBI is investigating whether Brooks was the victim of a racially motivated murder, said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister in a statement.
Alonzo, who was 23 at the time, left to go to a bonfire and going away party for an acquaintance who was leaving for the military. It was a chilly night in April.
Maria Ramirez still talks about her late son in the present tense. She remembers him as a good-natured prankster who enjoyed playing dominoes and football.
"He used to get behind me and just mess my hair up, and I used to get so mad at him once I had my hair fixed," Ramirez said. "When I feel like my hair's being moved or even when the wind moves it, I figure it's him doing it."
Today Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan & @USAO_Kansas announced a $100,000 reward for info leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the death of Alonzo Brooks. To report, call 816-474-TIPS or online at https://t.co/49eEgggFOb. https://t.co/mVSkUBzCzE pic.twitter.com/HHDYR95gZs
— FBI Kansas City (@FBIKansasCity) June 11, 2020
"It defies reason to believe that Alonzo's death was a suicide or that he somehow accidentally tumbled into a relatively shallow creek, in Lynn County, leaving behind his boots and hat, all with no witnesses whatsoever," McCallister said at a news conference.
The case will be featured in an episode of the reboot of Unsolved Mysteries, to be streamed on Netflix beginning July 1.
Josh Pratt, a filmmaker who lived in Paola at the time of Alonzo's death, is producing a documentary and accompanying podcast based on the case.
A large family is hoping for answers about what happened to their loved one. They held a celebration for his 40th birthday last month at the cemetery.
Alonzo's father is still alive, and he had a brother and three sisters. Ramirez said had her son lived, he would have 25 nieces and nephews and 25 great-nephews and great-nieces.
"My dad's 90, my mom's 89, and they want justice," Ramirez said. "They're hurting, too."
