REVISITED: The Friends

Summary of REVISITED: The Friends

by Audiochuck

30m•September 3, 2026
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Overview of REVISITED: The Friends

This episode of Park Predators revisits the unsolved 2019 double homicide of Carnell Sledge and Catherine “Kate” Brown, two longtime friends who were shot and killed in broad daylight in Rocky River Reservation near Cleveland, Ohio. Host Delia D’Ambra walks through the investigation, the FBI’s involvement, the lack of public witnesses coming forward, and the ongoing anguish of both families as the case remains unsolved.

What Happened

  • On June 4, 2019, Carnell Sledge, 40, and Kate Brown, 33, were found shot to death in Rocky River Reservation.
  • Their bodies were discovered near a park bench and the riverbank shortly after a kayaker called 911.
  • Carnell had been shot multiple times in the head; Kate had been shot once in the back of the head.
  • Their cars were found nearby in a pull-off area under the Lorain Road Bridge.

Timeline of the Crime

The final minutes

  • Investigators believe Carnell and Kate arrived separately around 5:04 p.m.
  • They were likely seated on the bench for only a few minutes before being shot sometime between 5:08 and 5:15 p.m.
  • The 911 call came in at 5:18 p.m.

Why the case stood out

  • The murders happened in a busy, public park with many walkers, joggers, and cyclists nearby.
  • Police believed the killings were targeted or highly specific, not random, but never established a clear motive.

Investigation Highlights

  • The Cleveland Metro Parks Police, Ohio BCI, and the FBI all became involved.
  • Authorities initially emphasized that the murders appeared to be an isolated incident and said the public should not fear the park.
  • Despite a $20,000 reward early on and later increased rewards, tips did not lead to an arrest.
  • Police reviewed a series of late-July 2019 gun-related incidents in the park, but later said they could not connect them to the double homicide.
  • In 2021, investigators released footage from the initial response, showing how populated the area was at the time of the murders.
  • An anonymous letter claiming to identify the killer was later determined not to come from an eyewitness; FBI agents reportedly spoke with the author, who said it was based on a “vision,” not direct knowledge.

Who Carnell and Kate Were

Carnell Sledge

  • Worked as an audiovisual technician for Crescent Digital
  • Known as generous, community-minded, and involved with youth and special education support
  • Volunteered with organizations helping children and coached youth sports

Kate Brown

  • Worked at a jewelry store
  • Described by her family as dependable, loving, and resilient
  • Had been sober for two years and was making positive life changes, including getting healthier and losing significant weight

Their relationship

  • They were close friends for at least a decade
  • Authorities eventually confirmed they were not romantically involved

Family Response and Frustration

  • Both families held vigils and memorial events at the park bench where the murders happened.
  • Kate’s family added substantial money to the reward, bringing it to $100,000.
  • The families repeatedly said they felt the case was losing momentum and that investigators were no longer communicating enough.
  • They were especially upset when park signs asking for tips were removed for violating park rules.

Unanswered Questions

  • Who shot Carnell and Kate?
  • Did they know their killer?
  • Was the attack personal, targeted, or linked to something else?
  • Why has no witness come forward from such a crowded park at the time?
  • What was Kate doing before arriving at the park?
  • Were their phones recovered, and what did they reveal?

Main Takeaways

  • This was a brazen daylight double homicide in a heavily trafficked public park.
  • The case drew major law enforcement resources, including the FBI, but still has not been solved.
  • The episode emphasizes that someone likely knows something and may be withholding crucial information.
  • The families remain committed to keeping Carnell and Kate’s memory alive while continuing to seek justice.

How to Help

If you have any information about the murders of Carnell Sledge and Catherine Brown, contact:

  • the Cleveland FBI field office
  • Cleveland Metro Parks Police
  • Crime Stoppers
    Anonymous tips are accepted.

Closing Note

The episode ends as a plea for answers: Carnell and Kate were described as people who loved deeply and brought joy to others, and their families want the public to remember them not only for how they died, but for the lives they lived.