The Deck – Kenneth "Kenny" Floyd (Wild Card, Colorado)

Podcast: The Deck
Host: Ashley Flowers
Date: March 4, 2026

Overview

This episode delves into the 1995 murder of Kenneth “Kenny” Floyd in Aurora, Colorado—a cold case that remains unsolved decades later. The story weaves together the investigative missteps, the enduring pain of Kenny's family, and renewed hope thanks to advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogy. The case takes a dramatic turn when a promising DNA lead is hampered by a volcanic disaster on a Caribbean island, possibly placing someone in the listening audience in a position to help solve Kenny’s murder.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Discovery of the Crime Scene

• Timeline: March 1995, 6pm—Apartment manager John finds Kenny dead after trying to evict him for missed rent and complaints.
• Scene Description: Kenny found on his living room floor, "lying in a fetal position surrounded by packed boxes, in a pool of his own blood" ([01:55]).
  • One visible neck gash, bloodied hands with apparent defensive wounds.
  • No signs of life or forced entry.

Early Investigation & Missteps

• Crucial Evidence: Trail of blood from Kenny’s door to building exit. Blood in Kenny's bathroom—possibly the killer’s ([03:50]-[06:23]).
  • “At every crime scene, the killer leaves something behind.” – Detective Jason McDonald ([06:23])
• Coroner’s Errors: Coroner investigator failed to inspect the body, quickly ruled “no sign of foul play” without checking wounds ([04:46]-[05:29]).
  • “That baffles me... Visible injuries, and he's dead.” – Detective McDonald ([05:29])
• Suspect DNA: Blood in the apartment and hallway not Kenny's—strongly believed to be the killer’s DNA ([07:25]).

Victimology and Early Suspects

• Victim's Background: Kenny was facing eviction for loud parties and complaints. Had recently lost his job at the Denver Rescue Mission, according to police (family was unaware) ([08:10]-[19:16]).
• First Suspect: Leslie Taylor, Kenny’s recent ex. Rock-solid alibi: held in detox at time of murder ([08:32]-[09:09]).
• Second Suspect: Kevin Ransom, accused of forging Kenny's name to a money order. Cooperative, no injury or DNA match ([11:00]-[12:23]).
• Other Challenges: Many acquaintances transient, making interviews difficult ([12:43]).

Family’s Perspective and Frustrations

• Initial Grief & Police Communication Failures:
  • Family wasn’t properly notified. Kenny’s niece, Lafondra, learned about the murder on the news after trying to reach him for days ([13:52]-[14:52]).
  • “I kept calling and calling.” – Lafondra Johnson ([13:52])
• Minimal Police Engagement: Family felt ignored and inadequately interviewed ([15:06]-[15:44]).
• Family’s Remembrance: Kenny was social but responsible, worked hard, and kept a tight home. Family shocked to hear of his job loss and partying ([17:30]-[19:09]).

Substance Use and Social Circle

• Emerging Details: Kenny may have started using drugs, as reflected in social circle shifts ([19:09]-[19:44]).
  • “There was something going on. You don’t hang out with too many people that do crack, and then you don’t do it.” – Rookie ([19:09])
• Lafondra noted subtle changes in Kenny’s appearance before his death ([19:44]).

Case Goes Cold and is Re-Opened

• DNA Advances: DNA from the scene gets profiled and run through CODIS with no match, but stays viable for further methods like genetic genealogy ([20:54]-[21:50]).
• Family Tree Discovery: Forensic genealogist Joan Hanlon traces the suspect’s roots to the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, but a volcanic eruption has destroyed key civil records ([21:50]-[23:30]).
  • “Literal lava was the only thing standing between investigators and justice for Kenneth.” – Ashley Flowers ([01:19])

Breakthrough from Community and Listeners

• Fresh Leads: Kenny's sister Yvonne recalls an ex who dated someone possibly from Montserrat, not previously followed up on ([25:06]).
  • Investigator McDonald re-interviews this ex, new avenues open ([25:52]).
• Family Hope: Kenny's niece, Kim Briggs, and nephew, Rookie, express anger over past neglect due to Kenny’s identity as a Black gay man, and hope current efforts will finally deliver justice ([26:28]-[26:56]).
• Continued Remembrance: Family gathers annually to celebrate Kenny with fireworks ([27:18]).
  • "He loved him some fireworks. Especially artillery shells and pot bottle rockets." – Rookie ([27:18])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Evidence:
  • “At every crime scene, the killer leaves something behind.” – Det. Jason McDonald [06:23]
• On Coroner’s Oversight:
  • “That baffles me. I think he clearly had blood on his hands, blood on his neck. Visible injuries, and he’s dead.” – Det. Jason McDonald [05:29]
• On Family’s Experience:
  • “I kept calling and calling.” – Lafondra Johnson [13:52]
  • “My uncle had to get up and go to work early in the morning, so I couldn’t just walk in the door any time of night... There was rules and regulations.” – Rookie [17:30]
• On Social Circle:
  • “You don’t hang out with too many people that do crack, and then you don’t do it.” – Rookie [19:09]
• On Investigative Breakthrough/Limits:
  • “They were this close to a breakthrough. There was just one problem, and I’m talking a big problem. Literal lava was the only thing standing between investigators and justice for Kenneth.” – Ashley Flowers [01:19]
• On Community Help:
  • “We’ve done everything in our power and knowledge to analyze the DNA shared matches that we have. It can be solved. We just need more matches.” – Joan Hanlon [28:22]
  • “The excuse I hear over and over is ‘I know my relatives, and if there was a criminal in my family, I’d know it.’ ...Those distant connections are exactly what we need to solve cases like Kenneth’s.” – Joan Hanlon [28:53]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 00:50 | Intro to Kenny Floyd's case & initial crime scene details | | 03:50 | Detective McDonald describes blood evidence at the scene | | 05:29 | Detective McDonald expresses disbelief at coroner’s inaction | | 08:32 | First suspect Leslie Taylor and his alibi addressed | | 11:00 | Kevin Ransom’s interview and exclusion | | 12:52 | Family reflects on their lack of involvement in investigation | | 17:30 | Rookie describes Kenny’s personality and house rules | | 19:09 | Rookie speculates on substance use and new company | | 20:54 | Detective McDonald restarts investigation with DNA advances | | 21:50 | Genetic genealogy links to Montserrat | | 25:06 | Yvonne’s memory points to a new possible lead | | 26:28 | Family reflects on loss and hope for justice | | 27:18 | Family remembrance traditions | | 28:22 | Joan Hanlon’s appeal for community DNA uploads |

Call to Action

If you or someone you know has ancestry from Montserrat or the East Coast, especially South Carolina, consider uploading your DNA to GEDmatch and opting in for law enforcement searches.

• “I beg you, please consider uploading to GEDmatch and opt in for law enforcement. I just, I can’t do this without the community.” – Joan Hanlon [28:22]

Tip lines:

• Aurora Police Cold Case Detective Jason McDonald: 303-739-6013
• Metro Denver Crime Stoppers: 720-913-7867

Tone of the Episode

Ashley Flowers and her guests blend investigative rigor with empathy and urgency, giving space for both the procedural hurdles and the human toll of an unsolved murder. The tone is thoughtful, reflective, and anchored by firsthand family voices, with a hopeful push for crowd-sourced justice through genetic genealogy.

For more information or to get involved, visit thedeckpodcast.com.