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Clues sought in '90 slaying of deaf, mute Hill District man - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh police detectives still are working to solve the beating and strangulation death of a Hill District man almost 18 years ago.
Thurman Brown, 71, was found on the bedroom floor of his third-floor Burroughs Street apartment about 9:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 1990, city police Cold Case Squad Detective J.R. Smith said.
Brown was lying facedown under a pile of clothing and was wearing a bathrobe, T-shirt and boxer shorts, Smith said. He had been strangled and had injuries of the neck and head, and vertebrae in his neck were broken, investigators said. A telephone cord lying near Brown might have been used to strangle him, police said.
The dresser drawers had been dumped, and someone had taken items from Brown's apartment, police said, noting that they believe robbery was the motive in his slaying.
Witnesses told police they saw someone leaving Brown's apartment. Investigators developed several suspects but weren't able to compile enough evidence to make an arrest.
Brown lived in his apartment for 20 years and kept his home neat and the door locked, Smith said.
Brown's relatives told police he was deaf and unable to speak. He wrote lottery numbers and other items on paper that he wanted to communicate. He worked at a Hill District shoe store and ate daily at either a nearby church or deli, police said.
Brown always paid his rent on time and in cash, his landlord told police.
"We think he must have known whoever killed him," Smith said.
Pittsburgh police detectives still are working to solve the beating and strangulation death of a Hill District man almost 18 years ago.
Thurman Brown, 71, was found on the bedroom floor of his third-floor Burroughs Street apartment about 9:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 1990, city police Cold Case Squad Detective J.R. Smith said.
Brown was lying facedown under a pile of clothing and was wearing a bathrobe, T-shirt and boxer shorts, Smith said. He had been strangled and had injuries of the neck and head, and vertebrae in his neck were broken, investigators said. A telephone cord lying near Brown might have been used to strangle him, police said.
The dresser drawers had been dumped, and someone had taken items from Brown's apartment, police said, noting that they believe robbery was the motive in his slaying.
Witnesses told police they saw someone leaving Brown's apartment. Investigators developed several suspects but weren't able to compile enough evidence to make an arrest.
Brown lived in his apartment for 20 years and kept his home neat and the door locked, Smith said.
Brown's relatives told police he was deaf and unable to speak. He wrote lottery numbers and other items on paper that he wanted to communicate. He worked at a Hill District shoe store and ate daily at either a nearby church or deli, police said.
Brown always paid his rent on time and in cash, his landlord told police.
"We think he must have known whoever killed him," Smith said.