Overview of Edwin “Eddie” Heath Sr. (King of Hearts, Delaware)
This episode of The Deck examines the unsolved 2015 murder of 33-year-old Edwin “Eddie” Heath Sr. in Fox Run, Delaware. Eddie was shot multiple times in broad daylight just steps from his front door, while his children were still in the car and his fiancée was inside the home. Despite multiple eyewitnesses, surveillance footage, and years of investigation, New Castle County Police have never identified the killer or established a definitive motive.
What Happened
- On May 13, 2015, Eddie returned home from picking up two of his children from school.
- As he parked and moved to let the children out of the car, he was ambushed and shot multiple times in the parking area outside his townhome.
- The shooting happened in front of his children and very near where his fiancée, Helena, was inside the residence.
- Eddie was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eddie Heath’s Life
- Eddie was described as a devoted father whose life revolved around:
- caring for his children
- attending school at night to become a phlebotomist
- music and writing
- His mother, Dr. Crystal Heath, raised him as a single parent and later earned her PhD after leaving high school early.
- She remains deeply committed to keeping his memory alive.
Investigation and Key Evidence
Witness descriptions
- Multiple neighbors reported hearing gunshots and seeing a fast-moving shooting.
- Witnesses consistently described the suspect as:
- a Black male in his 20s
- around 5'10"
- roughly 180 pounds
- with a large bushy or scraggly beard, or possibly a fake beard/mask
Surveillance footage
Police identified two important video clues:
-
A possible getaway vehicle
- A witness saw a gold sedan leaving near Route 40.
- A red-light camera captured a vehicle that roughly matched the description.
- The footage was too poor to identify the car or its plates, even after enhancement by NFL Films.
-
A suspicious man at the playground
- Another camera showed a man in baggy pants and a gray top loitering near a playground close to Eddie’s home.
- He sat on a bench, appeared to use a phone or walkie-talkie, and left quickly.
- Police suspect he may have been involved in coordination, but they do not know if he was the shooter.
- The man was never identified.
Forensic and digital dead ends
- Cell tower data did not produce a useful lead.
- Fingerprints and DNA from the playground bench were inconclusive.
- The possible use of a walkie-talkie-style device complicated tracking efforts.
Possible Motive
Police found no evidence that Eddie was involved in drugs, robbery, or other criminal activity. He did not appear to have disputes with neighbors, and investigators found nothing suspicious in his home, vehicle, or on his person.
The main motive discussed was a custody dispute involving Eddie’s ex-wife, Alexa, and their two children:
- Eddie and Alexa married in 2009 and separated less than a year later.
- They were locked in a custody battle.
- Alexa had been involved with a man who was previously shot, and child services had awarded custody to Eddie.
- Police did not find evidence that Alexa matched the suspect description, and she has never been named a suspect.
- Her boyfriend also was not definitively tied to the murder.
Police also considered, but ultimately did not support, the idea that Eddie may have been mistaken identity or an unintended target.
Why the Case Went Cold
By fall 2015, investigators had exhausted the available leads:
- no usable physical evidence
- no confirmed suspect
- no identified getaway car
- no public tip that solved the playground footage mystery
The case has remained cold for 11 years.
Dr. Crystal Heath’s Ongoing Grief
Eddie’s mother emerges as the emotional center of the episode:
- She relives the murder date every week, dreading Wednesdays.
- She questions whether moving from New York to Delaware changed her son’s fate.
- She believes more than one person was involved.
- She keeps his memory present through:
- a necklace holding some of his ashes
- his hats and sneakers
- a quilt made from his clothes
- plans to finish the book Eddie had started writing
Her main wish is simple: closure.
Current Status / Call for Information
- Eddie’s murder remains unsolved.
- No arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly named.
- Police believe the key to solving the case may be someone from the public who saw something in or around Fox Run Apartments and Townhomes in May 2015.
If you have information
- New Castle County Police: 302-573-2800
- Crime Stoppers (anonymous tip): 1-800-TIP-3333
- Website: delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
Main Takeaways
- Eddie Heath was a seemingly ordinary, dedicated father who was killed in a very targeted-feeling attack.
- Investigators strongly suspect planning and possible coordination by more than one person.
- The case hinges on identifying:
- the man seen near the playground
- the true shooter
- the getaway vehicle
- After 11 years, the case likely depends on someone coming forward with new information.