Detailed Summary of "Park Bench Murders /// Part 1 /// 820" – True Crime Garage

Episode Information:

• Title: Park Bench Murders /// Part 1 /// 820
• Release Date: February 12, 2025
• Hosts: Nick and The Captain
• Podcast: True Crime Garage

Introduction to the Case

In this gripping episode of True Crime Garage, hosts Nick and The Captain delve deep into one of the most perplexing unsolved cases in Northeast Ohio—the Cleveland Metro Parks double homicide, also known as the Park Bench Murders. Released five years after the tragic event, the episode aims to shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the murders of Carnell Sledge and Catherine "Kate" Brown.

Timeline of Events

June 4, 2019 – The Day of the Murders

• 4:02 PM: Carnell Sledge (Nick, 04:11) sends a text to Kate Brown inviting her to meet up.
• 4:10 PM: Kate calls Carnell, and they converse for about 10 minutes.
• 4:24 PM: Carnell leaves his workplace.
• 4:31 PM: Kate departs from her gym.
• 5:01 PM: An officer's dash cam captures Kate's vehicle arriving at Rocky River Reservation.
• 5:03 PM: Carnell's vehicle is spotted, following closely behind Kate's.
• 5:08 PM: Kate unlocks her phone, indicating she is not yet under threat.
• 5:22 PM: A 911 call is placed by two kayakers who discover the bodies shortly after.

Key Quote:

“Five years is a long time for somebody to, you know, our family is.”
— The Captain [04:16]

Case Overview

Carnell Sledge, a 40-year-old AV Technician and dedicated community volunteer, and Catherine Brown, a 33-year-old employee at QCG Goods, were enjoying a sunny afternoon at the Rocky River Reservation in Fairview Park, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The two friends were found brutally shot on a park bench and in the nearby river, with no immediate suspects or clear motives identified.

Discussion of Evidence

Crime Scene Details:

• Location: Rocky River Reservation, a sprawling 2,500-acre park known for its extensive trail network.
• Victims:
  • Carnell Sledge: Found face down next to the park bench, shot twice.
  • Catherine Brown: Discovered face down in approximately six feet of shallow water, shot once.

Key Points:

• Lack of Witnesses: Except for the two kayakers who found the bodies, there were no eyewitnesses or earwitnesses to the crime.
• Surveillance Footage: The only visual evidence comes from an officer's dash cam capturing the victims' vehicles moments before the murders.
• Bullet Casings: All three bullet casings were found in the water, leading to questions about the shooter's escape route.

Notable Quote:

“The only thing that desecrates or desecrated this park is the man that walked in there and shot two lovely innocent people.”
— Nick [10:38]

Suspects and Theories

The Roofer – Primary Suspect:

• Description: A male individual with a pickup truck present at the scene.
• Alibi: Claims to have been working on paperwork in his vehicle during the time of the murders.
• Investigation Focus:
  • Electronics: Law enforcement scrutinized his cell phone, tablet, and laptop to verify his alibi.
  • Gunpowder Residue: Experts considered testing for gunpowder traces to confirm involvement.

Alternative Theories:

• Random Act of Violence: Given the lack of a clear motive and the public nature of the crime, some speculate it may have been a spontaneous attack.
• Targeted Attack: Considering Carnell's protective nature, it's theorized he might have been perceived as a threat, leading the perpetrator to eliminate him first.

Key Quote:

“They're shot and killed in daylight at a public place at a time of day when we had a good amount of traffic on nearby roads.”
— Nick [33:08]

Motive Examination

• Robbery Ruled Out: Carnell's wallet and cell phones were left in plain sight in his vehicle, suggesting theft was not the motive.
• Personal Connection: Families believe Carnell and Kate shared a strong, platonic friendship, making personal vendetta less likely.
• Opportunity-Based Crime: The public and accessible nature of the park may have presented the perfect opportunity for a random attack.

Notable Quote:

“He didn’t hear anything, and he wasn’t paying attention. His head was down the whole time. Yes, but why wouldn’t you...”
— The Captain [48:26]

Investigation Challenges

• Silent Perpetrator: The possibility of a silencer being used remains unconfirmed, complicating the effort to trace the firearm.
• Escape Route Uncertainty: The absence of a clear escape path leaves investigators puzzled about how the shooter fled without detection.
• Community Involvement: Efforts by the families to place "Have You Seen" signs were thwarted by Metro Parks, limiting grassroots information gathering.

Key Quote:

“It takes a village, right? We say that about our children. It takes a village.”
— Nick [11:02]

Current Status and Future Prospects

As the five-year mark approaches, Nick and The Captain express renewed determination to reignite public interest and encourage new tips that could lead to solving the case. Despite previous media coverage, the case remains unsolved, and the families continue to seek justice.

Conclusion: The episode wraps up with anticipation for Part 2, where listeners can expect further exploration of new leads and deeper analysis of the evidence surrounding the Park Bench Murders.

Final Quote:

“Let’s unite and band together and solve this double homicide. Finally solve this double homicide.”
— Nick [13:44]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• The Captain:
  “Five years is a long time for somebody to, you know, our family is.”
  — [04:16]

• Nick:
  “The only thing that desecrates or desecrated this park is the man that walked in there and shot two lovely innocent people.”
  — [10:38]

• Nick:
  “They're shot and killed in daylight at a public place at a time of day when we had a good amount of traffic on nearby roads.”
  — [33:08]

• The Captain:
  “He didn’t hear anything, and he wasn’t paying attention. His head was down the whole time. Yes, but why wouldn’t you...”
  — [48:26]

• Nick:
  “Let’s unite and band together and solve this double homicide. Finally solve this double homicide.”
  — [13:44]

Closing Remarks

In "Park Bench Murders /// Part 1 /// 820," True Crime Garage meticulously unpacks the unsettling details of a double homicide that has haunted the Cleveland community for half a decade. By combining thorough investigation with empathetic storytelling, Nick and The Captain aim to keep the conversation alive, hoping that renewed attention will eventually bring closure to this tragic case.