Podcast Summary: The Deck

Episode: Shad Gandhi Khedia (2 of Spades, Rhode Island)

Host: Ashley Flowers
Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Deck examines the cold case of Shad Gandhi Khedia, known as the "2 of Spades" in the Rhode Island cold case deck. In 2013, the 22-year-old aspiring rapper was found strangled and set on fire in a Cranston, Rhode Island cemetery—a violent, unresolved crime surrounded by family disputes, a suspicious life insurance policy, and a key suspect whose story keeps shifting. Nearly 13 years later, Shad’s family is left with unanswered questions and hope for justice.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Points

The Crime Scene and Initial Investigation

• Discovery of the Body ([00:04]-[03:10])

  • On a cold March night in 2013, a fire reported at Cranston’s Pocasset Cemetery led firefighters to Shad’s burning body.
  • Detectives John Cardone and Bob Lindsay described a horrifying, unprecedented scene:

    “It was unprecedented. It was like one of those things where in my experience...we had never run into something like that where it was a fire being used in that manner.”
    — Detective Bob Lindsay [02:58]

  • The victim had no identification or phone, and the body appeared to have been moved—implying another crime scene.

• Clues and Connections ([04:01]-[04:37])

  • Key clue: a tattoo reading “RIP David Dela Cruz”—a nod to a local gang figure also buried at the cemetery.

• Autopsy Findings ([04:37]-[05:22])

  • Shad was identified by fingerprints; cause of death was strangulation with a cord, not the fire.
  • Fire likely set to destroy evidence or obscure identity.

Witnesses and Follow-up

• Eyewitness Accounts ([05:37]-[07:22])

  • Kevin, a car-savvy witness, saw a white Toyota Corolla leaving the cemetery around the fire’s start.
  • A second witness corroborated seeing the Corolla.
  • Cemetery security signs turned out to be a bluff—no actual surveillance footage was available.

• Shad’s Last Known Movements ([08:54]-[13:02])

  • Ex-girlfriend Masiel Ortiz (mother of his daughter Milan) was last to see him at her family’s restaurant.
  • Friends note his “straight laced, even a little nerdy” nature, mostly focused on music and his daughter.

    “He was into his music, his daughter and his music. That's the order right there.” — Detective Bob Lindsay [12:40]

  • No evidence found of actual gang involvement despite rumors.

• Relationship Turmoil and Family Tensions ([13:16]-[15:40])

  • Shad and Masiel’s split; ongoing custody and access disputes; friction with Masiel’s Dominican, religious family.

The Days Leading Up to the Killing

• Confrontation and Escalation ([16:19]-[17:59])

  • March 18, two days before the murder: Shad tries seeing his daughter; confrontation at restaurant with Masiel and her uncle, Ruben Ortiz.
  • Ruben berates and physically intimidates Shad.

    “He's like, yeah, your cousin up for the last time. He up for the last time.” — Dee Conway [17:59]

  • After a tense car ride, Ruben arranges a visit at Masiel’s aunt’s—Shad has to wait apart from the family.

• Significance of Tensions ([19:32]-[20:48])

  • Family recalls Ruben’s ominous “for the last time” comment—highlighted to police.

Building Suspicion

• Chain of Lies and Shifting Stories ([20:48]-[26:32])

  • Ruben confronts Shad’s friend Tony, after hearing Tony told others Ruben was last with Shad; Tony initially lies to police out of apparent fear.
  • Surveillance shows Shad leaving the Institute for Nonviolence at 12:26pm on March 20, getting into a white car, presumed Ruben’s.
  • Restaurant surveillance footage from March 18—conveniently missing.

• Life Insurance Policy Bombshell ([22:09]-[25:00])

  • Shad, with no job or stability, took out a $250,000 policy months before his death, naming Masiel as sole beneficiary; Ruben arranged and helped pay for it.
  • This discovery reframes family suspicions:

    “When Julie found out about this, it reframed everything for her...But she didn’t think they would kill him. Over that money, though...that was different now.” — Ashley Flowers [24:08]

Police Dig Deeper; Ruben’s Car Becomes Critical

• Vehicle Evidence and Timeline Unraveling ([26:32]-[27:46])

  • Ruben lied about which car he rented (actually a 2012 Corolla, not Maxima, on the day of Shad’s murder).
  • Detectives find both involved cars at Ruben's house.

• Confrontation at Station ([27:47]-[28:00])

  • Ruben, after initially cooperating, lawyers up mid-interview and insists he's not a suspect.

Contradictions and Lack of Evidence

• Masiel’s “Selective Memory” and Phone Records ([28:00]-[32:20])

  • Masiel insists Shad had no insurance and knew little about the arrangements for him to see Milan.
  • Phone and bank records show Ruben paying Shad’s premiums; cell data puts Ruben at critical locations.
  • Despite strong circumstantial case, lack of direct proof—prosecutors decline to proceed.

• Ruben's New Story, More Lies ([32:53]-[35:29])

  • In May, Ruben admits (with lawyer) to picking up Shad in Corolla, describes a benign outing with incongruities.
  • Claims of dropping Shad at the library disproven by surveillance and cell records.
  • Cell location—Ruben near cemetery minutes before fire, not in Massachusetts as claimed.

Frustration and Grief: Stalled Justice

• Mounting Circumstantial Evidence—But No Arrest ([37:04]-[38:12])

  • Recap: Lies, motive (life insurance), opportunity, and timeline all implicate Ruben, but prosecutors want more.
  • Key Quote on Frustration:

    “Like, we just didn't understand, why are you not arresting him? And my mom could not understand it.” — Julie (Shad’s sister) [38:52]

  • Detectives empathize with family’s pain, struggle to explain inaction.

• Civil Case Over Life Insurance ([40:08]-[41:15])

  • Legal battle: Shad’s family fought to block insurance payout to Masiel.
  • In absence of criminal conviction, insurer pays Masiel.

Ripple Effects in the Family

• Ongoing Loss and Heartbreak ([41:15]-[42:12])

  • Shad’s mother never recovered; died in 2020, another son died in 2019.
  • Family mostly lost contact with Milan, Shad’s daughter.

• Appeals to Witnesses ([42:15]-[43:08])

  • Detectives believe potential witnesses are still afraid, warn that “the street knows” but won’t risk coming forward.

    “The people that would know...don’t want to end up as a brush fire. So that’s a real...weight on their shoulders.” — Detective Bob Lindsay [42:49]

  • Above all, investigators plea for witnesses to come forward, promising protection:

    “I don't think there's any reason to be afraid. To be honest with you.” — Detective [43:00]

Unresolved Details & The Ongoing Mystery

• Crime Scene Gaps and Theories ([43:08]-[44:00])

  • Still unknown: what cord was used (possibly Shad’s own headphones, never recovered); where murder occurred.
  • Police searched all possible vehicles for signs—found nothing conclusive.
  • Murder likely “planned and more than one person was involved.”

• Ruben’s Elusive History ([44:00]-[45:54])

  • Ruben uses variations of his name, different social security numbers, lives in several states and Dominican Republic.
  • Multiple criminal accusations since Shad’s murder—no progress on Shad’s case.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Shad’s Character:

  “He was into his music, his daughter and his music. That's the order right there.” — Detective Bob Lindsay [12:40]

• On the White Corolla:

  “He said he was very good with cars. And he said it was a newer model white Toyota Corolla...” — Ashley Flowers [06:03]

• On Ruben’s Threat:

  “He up for the last time. He up for the last time.” — Ruben (quoted by Dee Conway) [17:59]

• On Family Grief:

  “I'm never going to get my brother back. But I just don't think that it's okay to just kill somebody and just move on. Even though it's been a long time, we're still hurting.” — Julie (Shad's sister) [45:54]

• On Prosecution Threshold:

  “More, they said it's not there. It's close. Pretty close. But it's not there.” — Narrator/Investigator (on AG’s decision) [38:12]

• On Witness Fear:

  “The people that would know that would say whatever that do know the particulars, don't want to end up as a brush fire.” — Detective Bob Lindsay [42:49]

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:04-05:22]: Fire at cemetery; discovery and autopsy of Shad’s body
• [05:22-08:54]: Eyewitnesses, white Corolla, and lack of cemetery security footage
• [08:54-13:02]: Shad’s background, relationships, and last known movements
• [13:02-19:28]: Family dynamics, escalating tensions with ex’s family
• [22:09-26:00]: Life insurance policy details and Ruben’s involvement
• [26:32-28:00]: Police uncover contradictions in Ruben’s car rental and story
• [28:00-32:20]: Interview with Masiel and further evidence linking Ruben
• [32:53-37:40]: Changing stories, cell location evidence, and breakdown of Ruben’s alibi
• [40:03-46:40]: Family grief, unresolved case, and appeals for witnesses
• [46:48-End]: Investigators’ and family’s final messages; call for tips

Conclusion & Call to Action

Despite a compelling circumstantial case implicating Ruben Ortiz and his possible co-conspirators, prosecutors have yet to pursue charges for Shad’s murder, citing lack of direct or physical evidence. The case has torn apart Shad’s family, leaving his loved ones grieving and searching for justice. Police and relatives alike urge anyone with information to come forward—hoping that one truth-teller could finally crack the case open and deliver overdue answers for Shad Gandhi Khedia.

Have information about Shad’s murder?
Contact Cranston Police at 401-942-2211 or text a tip (keyword “Cranston PD”) to 847411.

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