In a significant development in the case of missing Cleveland teenager Keshaun Williams, authorities pulled two dark-colored Jeeps from the Cuyahoga River on Tuesday, October 24, 2024. The recovery occurred during a coordinated search for evidence related to Williams, who has been missing since June 17, 2023.
The first Jeep was lifted from the river around 10:50 a.m., followed by the second at approximately 12:15 p.m. This search was initiated after family members reported the 15-year-old missing after he was last seen at a house party on Gertrude Avenue in Slavic Village. Investigators had previously indicated that Williams was last seen inside a dark-colored SUV with several other juvenile males.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, Cleveland police, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), are actively involved in the investigation. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has also been called in to assist with the search efforts. Dive teams from SERT and Westshore have been thoroughly searching the river, scouring the area for several hours.
Rich’s Towing provided the necessary equipment to lift the vehicles from the water, and both Jeeps will be transported to a police impound lot for processing, where they will be examined for identification and potential evidence linking them to the case.
Williams is described as standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with black hair styled in braids and brown eyes. On the night he went missing, he was wearing black jogging pants, a t-shirt, and red and gray Jordan sneakers. His disappearance has led to Ohio’s longest-running Amber Alert, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Authorities suspect that Keshaun may have been abducted, as he has not been seen or heard from since the night of his disappearance. Investigators are focusing their search efforts specifically in the Cleveland area, where Keshaun was last seen getting into a black SUV with two to four other boys.
The investigation has faced challenges, including an inability to obtain surveillance footage or track Keshaun’s cell phone, which has limited the information available to law enforcement. Despite these obstacles, the Cleveland police have emphasized their commitment to the case, with Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz stating, “Our detectives have been working tirelessly throughout this investigation.”
In a heartfelt plea, Keshaun’s grandmother, Mary Williams, urged those with knowledge about her grandson’s disappearance to come forward: “There are people out here who know what happened to Keshaun, and I pray that you come forth and give the information that you have.”
In a bid to gather more information, the reward for information leading to Keshaun’s whereabouts has increased from $22,500 to $27,000. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cleveland Police at 216-623-5400 or the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4-WANTED. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at USMarshals.gov.