Welcome back to Solved Files! Whether you're a true crime veteran or new to the scene, you're in for a thrilling ride. This edition is packed with jaw-dropping updates, hidden details, and mind-bending mysteries. Ready to dive in?

🔍 Inside this issue:
✍️ Breaking News
✍️ Crime Facts vs. Myth
✍️ Tip of the Week
✍️ Case Study
✍️ Crime Puzzle Answer
✍️ Crime Stats
✍️ Q&A
✍️ And more…

BREAKING NEWS

Man charged with killing 13-year-old Detroit girl whose body remains missing

A Detroit man will stand trial in the murder of missing 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris. 

Jarvis Butts, 42, of Detroit, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and child sexually abusive activity. Butts is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Na'Ziyah.

Na'Ziyah was last seen getting off her school bus at the corner of Cornwall and Three Mile Drive in Detroit on Jan. 9, 2024. Her body has not been found. 

On Thursday, Judge Aliyah Sabree sent the case over to the 3rd Circuit Court for trial. 

"You're the monster in this whole picture," Sabree told Butts in court on Thursday. "She (Na'Ziyah) did deserve love from her parents and everyone who was in her life. She was ignored. She was neglected, and you took complete advantage of that. She wanted someone to love her, and she will never know what that feels like. I pray for the healing of all the victims and the young girls, and possibly boys, who have come into contact with you."

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Sabree continued, "As a community, we should look at this case as a prime example of how much work we have to do when it comes to protecting our children and especially Black girls."

Prosecutors argued Thursday that there was enough evidence through November's testimony from one of Butts' business partners, cell tower tracking data, testimony from someone who claims to have seen Butts and Na'Ziyah together the evening she disappeared, and several Na'Ziyah's belonging in areas investigators tracked Butts in the days following her disappearance to prove that Butts murdered Na'Ziyah.  

The defense argued that there's not enough connection between the alleged evidence to suggest that Butts intended and caused Na'Ziyah's death.

Ultimately, Sabree found there was enough evidence to let a jury decide the case. 

"She (Sabree) held him accountable. She pointed out very significant things, even down to his body language during the whole thing. Me and my family just really appreciate her for that," said Na'Ziyah's cousin, Roxy.

More than 20 witnesses, including a combination of experts, family members, and law enforcement officials, spoke in court over the past four days. 

Eight witnesses, including Na'Ziyah's grandmother and aunt. Na'Ziyah's aunt, Shannon Harris, testified that she did not suspect anything beyond a normal uncle-niece bond between Butts and Na'Ziyah. 

Butts also has been charged with the sexual abuse of two other girls in separate cases. 

While pop culture often portrays serial killers as isolated, socially awkward figures, the reality is far more unsettling. Some of the most notorious killers—like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy—were well-liked, had steady jobs, and even engaged in community activities. Bundy worked in politics and volunteered at a crisis hotline, while Gacy was a respected businessman who dressed as a clown for children's parties.

This ability to mask their true nature is what makes them even more dangerous, proving that evil can sometimes hide in plain sight.

The First 48 Hours Are Critical

In homicide investigations, the first 48 hours are often the most crucial for solving a case. Evidence is fresh, witness memories are sharper, and leads are more likely to be actionable.

A prime example is the case of Sherri Rasmussen, a nurse murdered in her Los Angeles home in 1986. Initially ruled as a botched burglary, key details were overlooked in the crucial early hours—like her defensive wounds and missing engagement ring. It took over two decades before DNA evidence finally led investigators to the real culprit: LAPD officer Stephanie Lazarus, who had a personal vendetta against Rasmussen.

The takeaway? Quick, meticulous investigation in the first two days can make or break a case. For law enforcement, every second counts.

The Mystery Witness (Answer Key)

Last week, we challenged you to decode the name of a missing witness using a series of crime-related clues. Now, it’s time to reveal the answer! Did you manage to crack the code and uncover the hidden name? If so, well done, you’ve got a detective’s eye for detail. If not, don’t worry, there’s always another case to solve in next week’s edition. Here’s the breakdown of each clue and how they piece together to form the final answer.

Clues and Answers:

1️⃣ The second letter of the name of the detective who famously said, "It’s elementary, my dear Watson."

• Answer: H (from Sherlock Holmes)

2️⃣ The fourth letter in the name of the U.S. state where the Zodiac Killer's crimes took place.

• Answer: F (from California)

3️⃣ The number of letters in the word "justice" (write as a numeral).

• Answer: 7

4️⃣ The first letter of the last name of the criminal behind the infamous "Son of Sam" case.

• Answer: B (from David Berkowitz)

5️⃣ The last letter of the word "forensics."

• Answer: S

6️⃣ The second letter in the first name of the victim in the Black Dahlia case.

• Answer: L (from Elizabeth Short)

7️⃣ The first letter of the metal most commonly associated with handcuffs.

• Answer: S (from Steel)

Final Witness Name: HF7BSLS

Think you can solve the next one? Keep an eye out for our next Crack the Code challenge in the next issue of Solved Files! 🔍

Crime Statistic of the Week

80% of Homicides Involve a Firearm

Gun violence remains a dominant factor in homicide cases. According to the latest crime data, approximately 80% of homicides in the United States involve a firearm, making it the most common weapon used in deadly crimes.

A striking example is the case of rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed in broad daylight outside his Los Angeles clothing store in 2019. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies quickly led to the arrest of his killer, Eric Holder. The case highlighted how firearms often escalate conflicts into deadly encounters, leaving little chance for survival.

This statistic is a grim reminder of the lethal role firearms play in violent crime and the importance of addressing gun-related violence through policy, prevention, and community intervention.

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