D.C.'s first homicide in 2012 actually happened last year.
On New Year's Eve, the body of Leroy Studevant was found alongside a creek in Northeast's Marvin Gaye Park, but his death wasn't ruled a homicide until the next day, Jan. 1. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was strangulation associated with piercing blunt-force trauma.
Studevant, 56, was a vendor at Eastern Market. His family says he sold bottle water and newspapers. They were shocked at the news of his death.
Studevant's brother, Michael Studevant, believes murder was the motive because he always had cash on him due to his work as a vendor.
"But I still say it like this, though: Take the money; why take their life?" Michael Studevant said. So far, police do not have suspects or arrests in the case.
