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Cantonment Cold Case: 1981 Murder Remains Unsolved
January 11, 2015
It was 34 years ago on the afternoon of January 2, 1981, that 9-year old Kenneth Deshun Underwood and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood.
When Underwood was still not home around 6 p.m., Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area were Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning –apparently murdered — in an area near Booker Street.
The case remains unsolved, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help because they believe someone in our area still has information about Underwood’s death.
If you know anything about the death of Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stopper at (850) 433-STOP (7867).
Pictured above: The fourth grade photo of murder victim Kenneth Deshun Underwood of Cantonment. Pictured below: The highlighted area in this map shows were the body was found. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “Cantonment Cold Case: 1981 Murder Remains Unsolved”
I would really try to get Cold Justice . They may really be able to help.
This is one strange story. And I agree with Don, these guys need to be interviewed again. Something doesnt seem quite right.
My questions would be….
1. How old was his “companions”. I could see them getting separated if they were all around his age, they are easily distracted at that age.
2. Where were the parents and why did they let A 9 YEAR OLD head off with firearms (unless it was BB guns) into the woods without someone of at least a responsible age.
3. How exactly did he die. The cause of death would be a indicator of who they would be looking for. I’m not familiar with the case.
4. Have the cold case detectives cross referenced the 1981 residents of the area at that time to see if they might have been arrested or suspected in any similar crimes since then? It seems that criminals or molesters that get away with something they usually continue until caught. DNA matching would be used if he was molested.
5. Did they ask the residents of the area if they had any visitors that day. It would make sense that if it wasn’t someone of that community then it had to have been someone visiting. Not to many people just randomly show up in the woods behind a residential area.
It is quite possible the person who did this is still living right there in that community. The first instinct for someone who done something like that seems to be to leave but if they feel they got away with it then they might stay but would probably do it again.
Sad. Scary that the killer might still be living In that area. He could have been hit by a truck a week later and died . We might not ever know. Cold Justice TV show could help. I can’t imagine the grief that family has had to bear.
Where are the 3 companions who were with him? What did they say about it?
It seems kind of strange his 3 companions came home and don’t know anything?
did they (the companions)say if he wandered off,or got separated or what?I think THEY know more than their saying and need to be interviewed again.