What happened to Keyona Griffin? All you should know about her death
What happened to Keyona Griffin? Many people have searched online to inquire about her demise. She reportedly made a chilling 911 call moments before her life was taken. The heartbreaking case gained attention because of how quickly events unfolded.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Keyona Griffin tragically lost her life after making a desperate 911 call reporting danger.
- She warned dispatchers about her aunt being killed and feared for her safety.
- Sadly, when police arrived, she was later found dead inside the home.
Keyona's profile summary and bio
| Full name | Keyona Griffin |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 8 March 1994 |
| Date of death | 13 March 2019 |
| Age at death | 25 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Place of birth | United States of America |
| Residence at death | Michigan, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Black |
| Mother | Ongah Griffin |
| Father | Johnny Griffin |
| Siblings | Sanford Cummings II |
What happened to Keyona Griffin?
Keyona Griffin was a 25-year-old woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, whose tragic death drew national attention in 2019. On March 13, 2019, she called 911 and urgently told dispatchers that her aunt had been killed and that she was in danger.
Sadly, by the time police arrived, she had already been murdered inside the home. Investigators later confirmed that her boyfriend, Jay, was responsible.
Source: Original
Here’s a clear timeline of events surrounding what happened to Keyona Griffin:
- March 13, 2019 – Around 9:00 a.m.
Keyona Griffin, age 25, called 911 from her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In a panicked voice, she told the dispatcher that her aunt had been killed and that she feared for her own life.
- Police Dispatched – Minutes Later
Officers arrived at the home within minutes. They knocked on the door but received no response. Believing there was no immediate evidence of danger, they left without entering the house.
- March 13, 2019 – Shortly After Noon
About two hours later, police returned to the residence on a follow-up. Inside, they found Keyona Griffin dead, having been shot multiple times. Her aunt, Cherletta Baber-Bey, was also discovered murdered.
- Investigation – Following Days
Detectives identified Derrell Demon Brown, Cherletta’s boyfriend (also known as “Jay”), as the prime suspect. Surveillance later showed him walking in the area shortly after the murders.
- Aftermath – 2019 to Present
Brown fled Michigan and has been on the run ever since. He remains on the U.S. Marshals’ Most Wanted list, with a reward offered for information leading to his arrest. As of 2025, he has not been captured.
How did Keyona die?
Keyona Griffin's autopsy revealed she was shot four times. Her dead body was found in the upper part of the house.
Her aunt, Cherletta, was discovered in her room, fatally shot in the back of her head with her ears still plugged with earphones connected to an iPad that was playing.
Source: UGC
Who killed Keyona Griffin?
The prime suspect in the case was identified as Derrell Demon Brown, also known as Jay, who was Cherletta’s boyfriend. The connection between Derrell Brown and Keyona Griffin became central to the investigation, as both women tragically lost their lives.
Records revealed Brown’s troubling past, including time in prison for failing to pay child support and a 2005 assault on his former partner.
Was Derrell Brown ever found?
As of 2025, Derrell Demon Brown has not been found and is still a wanted fugitive. He remains the prime suspect in the 2019 murders of Keyona Griffin and her aunt, Cherletta Baber-Bey, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Brown remains on the U.S. Marshals Service’s 15 Most Wanted list, with a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his capture. Authorities believe he fled Michigan after the crime and may be receiving help to stay hidden.
Controversy surrounding the police response
The response of the Grand Rapids Police to Keyona's distress call has sparked public outrage and raised questions about potential racial bias. This was because, upon arrival, the officers failed to access the apartment, leaving Keyona vulnerable.
In hindsight, police officials acknowledged that a more urgent response might have altered the tragic outcome. Sanford Cummings Sr., Keyona's godfather, expressed disappointment, stating:
At 1 o'clock, you get another call to the same house, and you come here, and you got to bring my family out in body bags because you didn't care at 10 o'clock."
Is there a Keyona Griffin documentary?
Source: UGC
There is no official full-length documentary film dedicated solely to the story of Keyona Griffin. Her tragic death in 2019, following her desperate 911 call, has been covered in various true-crime discussions, podcasts, and online articles, but not as a standalone documentary.
One notable feature is the No Tears For Black Girls podcast episode, “Unanswered Calls, Unresolved Justice: The Keyona Griffin Story.” This episode explores the events surrounding her murder, the failures in emergency response, and the impact on her community. Similarly, true-crime shows like Crimes and Consequences have discussed the case in depth.
Although the murders happened in Grand Rapids, Michigan, searches for Keyona Griffin Indianapolis appear online because some people mistakenly link her case to Indianapolis due to similar tragic incidents there.
Latest updates
As of 2025, Derrell Demon Brown has not been found and is still a wanted fugitive. He remains the prime suspect in the 2019 murders of Keyona Griffin and her aunt, Cherletta Baber-Bey, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals and local authorities, continue to appeal to the public for any information that could lead to his arrest.
Investigators believe Brown fled Michigan shortly after the killings and may have received help to stay hidden. He is known to use multiple aliases, including “Jay,”. Despite nationwide efforts and a reward for information leading to his capture, Brown remains at large in 2025.
The question 'What happened to Keyona Griffin?' continues to resonate with many who learned of her tragic story. Her final moments serve as a powerful reminder of why swift emergency response is so crucial. Though her death is heartbreaking, it has sparked greater awareness about domestic violence.
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Source: Briefly News
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