Keyona Griffin was a murder victim known for calling the police, 911, to inform them about her family’s tragedy and murder incident, which later cost her life in 2019.
Before her death, she was a vibrant young woman known in her neighborhood in Michigan. Sadly, she became one of the many victims of the murder scene who were found dead by the time the police arrived at her apartment at 553 Sheldon.
In this post, I will write about Keyona Griffin and other facts about her. Before we continue, however, let’s take a quick look at her profile.
Profile summary
| Name | Keyona Renee Griffin |
| Date of Birth | 8 March 2019 |
| Aged | 25 years |
| Died on | 13 March 2019 |
| Brother | Sanford Cummings II |
| Place of death | Sheldon, Michigan, United States |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | Sanford Cummings Sr |
| Mother | Onyah Griffin |
| Net worth | unknown |
| Dead or Alive | Dead |
Keyona Griffin Biography
Keyona Renee Griffin was born on 8 March 1994 in the United States of America into the family of Mrs. Onyah Griffin and Sanford Cummings Sr. She was 25 years when she died on 13 March 2019.
At the point of her death in 2019, Keyona Griffin was 25 years old. If she were still alive now, she would’ve been 29 years at the time. With black skin color, Keyona belonged to the Afro-American ethnic group and held American citizenship by birth.
Side by side, she has a black-colored hair type and a black-colored pair of eyes. Her life was cut short in 2019 following a family tragedy murder, otherwise described as a “home massacre.”
What Happened to Keyona Griffin – Bodycam Report
Keyona Griffin is one of the many victims of a 2019 family tragedy that you can call a “home massacre.” She made the news for being one of the victims of a crime scene who took the big step of informing authorities about the incident while the crime incident was ongoing.
According to various reports, she called 911 to inform them about the murder of her aunt and her possible murder. The 911 dispatcher lady could not hear Keyona clearly or send help immediately. Sadly, Keyona was murdered later, but it was gathered that three Grand Rapids Police officers arrived at the murder scene — the apartment, 553 Sheldon — precisely seven minutes and 41 seconds after the call between Keyona and 911 ended.
While this is so, the Grand Rapids Police officers could not enter the apartment after several attempts to enter the house; they went around the house but didn’t attempt to break in, a source said in part. Then, they reported a bodycam film of their appearance.
Then again, the Grand Rapids Police Department experts never connected with anyone inside the house; unknown to them, the murder was still ongoing. They left the scene three minutes and 42 seconds after arriving at the murder scene.
Later, about two hours and 18 minutes after the first call by Keyona Griffin was made, another call came in from home by Sanford Cummings II, Keyona’s brother. In the ring, Sanford said,
Come to 553 Sheldon… There’s blood everywhere, and my sister’s not moving
Keyona Griffin Death
Sanford Cummings II was the person who called 911 the second time to report Keyona Griffin’s death. He’d called 911 from the higher-up room after he found his sister, Keyona, dead; bullets had hit Keyona Griffin multiple times. Oh, and one of the bullets rested on her face.
According to the same report that confirmed Keyona Griffin’s murder, another woman, Cherletta Baber-Bey, 47 years old, who was Keyona’s aunt, was found dead. Sadly, Cherletta was wearing earphones and watching her iPad when she was shot from the back of her head. She was later covered up in a blanket.
Cherletta Baber-Bey happened to be in a relationship with her killer, Derrell Demon Brown, whom her family members previously addressed as Jay. They did not know Jay’s/Derrell’s history and did not bother to ask until Cherletta’s death. It was later discovered that Jay had gone to jail once for failing to pay child support for his unidentified baby mama.
An autopsy report showed that Keyona Griffin and Cherletta died from several gunshots.
Keyona Griffin was one of the victims of the murder incident, which also took the lives of Cherletta Baber-Bey, 47 years old, Jacqueline Baber-Bey, and another 65-year-old, all in the same building.
Jacqueline Baber-Bey, 65, and her grandson, Emareyon Cummings, 5, in a second-floor bedroom at the back of the house. Both died of smoke inhalation.
The murder incident, which took the life of Keyona Griffin, happened at 553 Sheldon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, part of the United States of America, and Derrell Demon Brown is the prime suspect.
Who is Keyona Griffin Murderer?
Derrell Demon Brown, 50 years old, is Keyona Griffin’s alleged murderer. He stands five feet eight inches above the ground, approximately 180 centimeters, 1.8 meters, or 1800 millimeters.
He killed his victim with a 9 mm Hi-Point pistol with its serial number found at the crime scene.
According to reports on woodtv.com, the gun that Derrel used in committing the crime was stolen, and the former owner, an unidentified lady, had in 2017 reported the gun as stolen and even reported to the police about the incessant harassing texts she gets from a guy she gave his name as Jay.
Also, reports revealed that the gun was stolen from the woman at the same time she was in a relationship with Jay, aka Derrel Demon.
During a 911 call, Keyona could be heard saying, “Can you just hurry up, please,” she added that she would die next if officers did not arrive fast. According to reports by woodtv.com, Keyona whispered, “I’m fittin to die … He’s tryin’ to kill me,” alleging Derrel was about to take her life.
Where is Keyona Griffin Murderer Now?
Speaking up about the investigation on the internet in 2020, the Grand Rapids Police Department, under the Twitter username @GrandRapidsPD, tweeted on 15 July 2020:
“We need the community’s help locating DERRELL DEMON BROWN, who is wanted in the homicides of Keyona Griffin & Cherletta Baber-Bey. Brown is 46 yoa, 5’8″ & 180#. He could be in the Columbus, OH, Milwaukee, WI & Atlanta, GA areas. Call police @ 616.456.3400 with any information.”
Sadly, one of the wanted suspects, Derrell Demon Brown, is yet to be found. No judgment has been pronounced yet.
Speaking on why the police did not break in and possibly save Keyona, the officers said they did not see enough reasons to do that, that the police get voluminous calls daily, of which some are only playing pranks with cops.
Derrell Brown was a church’s temporary tenant at Grand Rapids church years back. He did not show any sign of concern toward murder. According to Rev. Robert Dean, who admitted him, Darrell was always instrumental.
Authorities found a hastily tossed box of ammunition and an empty Hi-Point gun box in a dresser that contained men’s clothing inside Cherletta Baber-Bey’s bedroom. Findings linked Derrell Demon Brown to the Hi-Point pistol found at the scene.
Authorities are asking for anyone with any relevant details that would enable them to track down Derrell Brown, and there is a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Keyona is dead. Sadly, the information herein describes the situation that led to her death. Yes, her murder. At her end, Keyona Griffin did not have an estimated net worth.