The 2013 murder of 20-year-old Jazmine Trotter in Cleveland remains one of the city’s unresolved tragedies. What began with a DNA-linked arrest of Jerome Ogletree quickly shifted when charges were dismissed. More than 13 years later, as of August 2026, the case is still open and unsolved. Her family continues seeking answers and justice.
What Happened to Jazmine Trotter?
Jazmine Trotter, a 20-year-old mother of a young son, left her boyfriend’s home around 5 a.m. on March 22, 2013, to walk to work in Cleveland’s Union-Miles neighborhood. She never arrived. Her mother, Monique Williams, brother, and a cousin discovered her partially clothed body on March 24 under the porch of an abandoned house in the 3900 block of East 93rd Street.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation. Police stated she had also been sexually assaulted. Detectives noted that Trotter and the initial suspect knew each other.
A similar unsolved killing of Christine Malone occurred nearby around the same period, heightening community fear, though authorities said the cases were not immediately linked.
[Video: News 5 Cleveland report on suspect in custody for Jazmine Trotter murder, April 2013]
Was Jerome Ogletree Convicted in the Jazmine Trotter Murder?
No. Jerome Ogletree was arrested in early April 2013 after DNA evidence recovered from Trotter’s body matched his profile. He was charged with aggravated murder, appeared in Cleveland Municipal Court, and was held in Cuyahoga County Jail on $1 million bond.
Ogletree, then 42–43 years old, had an extensive prior felony record that included drug trafficking, drug abuse, robbery, and car theft. Cleveland police confirmed the DNA link and the acquaintance between the two.
However, on May 24, 2013, charges against him in Trotter’s death were cleared/dismissed, and he was released from jail. No conviction was ever secured against him for this murder. As of August 2026, public records and reporting show the case remains unsolved, with no new charges filed against Ogletree related to Trotter’s killing.
Where Is Jerome Ogletree Now as of August 2026?
Public information on Jerome Ogletree’s exact current location or status specifically tied to the Trotter case is limited after the 2013 dismissal. He was released following the clearing of those charges. Separate individuals with the surname Ogletree have appeared in other Ohio criminal matters in later years, but none of the recent high-profile cases directly match the Jerome Ogletree from the 2013 Trotter investigation as a convicted party in that murder.
At the time of his 2013 arrest he was in his early 40s; as of 2026 he would be in his mid-to-late 50s. Detailed wife or immediate family information for this Jerome Ogletree has not been publicly confirmed in connection with the case.
Is the Jazmine Trotter Murder Still Unsolved?
Yes. As of August 2026 the murder of Jazmine Trotter remains an open cold case. A May 2025 true-crime podcast episode revisited the facts, noting that more than a decade later no one has been held accountable. Family members, including mother Monique Williams, have repeatedly expressed ongoing grief and the desire for justice.
In a 2019 interview marking six years since the killing, Williams described finding her daughter’s body as “the worst day of my life” and said both she and Trotter’s young son still sought answers. Community members and advocates have continued calling for tips.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Cleveland Division of Police or Crime Stoppers.
Jerome Ogletree’s Criminal Background and Family Details
Beyond the Trotter case, Ogletree’s record prior to 2013 included multiple felony convictions for drug-related offenses, robbery, and vehicle theft. No verified public details have emerged about a wife or specific family members linked to him in connection with this investigation.
Trotter left behind a young son who was approximately four years old at the time of her death. Her family has kept her memory alive while pressing for resolution.
The dismissal of charges against the initial DNA suspect left the investigation without a conviction. Advances in forensic technology have solved other cold cases in recent years, but as of August 2026 no public breakthrough has been announced in the Jazmine Trotter murder. Her family and the Cleveland community continue to wait for justice.
