Press Releases

Leon Brady Murder
February 6, 2010

A man is shot down just a few feet from his front doorstep, and the killer is still at large. Detectives are hoping for new leads from the public to help identify this murderer, before the case becomes cold.

Luzina Perdue remembers with a smile the last time she spoke with her brother. But what breaks her heart is that she didn’t know it would be the last time she’d ever hear his voice. Her brother, Leon Brady, was gunned down in Nocatee – and the person responsible got away.

 “To me, to find out that he suffered, that is the worst thing that could have happened," she said.

Investigators in Desoto County are trying to piece together why Brady was killed, and who pulled the trigger. Witness accounts say the shooter drove a light colored pick up truck, and there were multiple shots fired. But beyond that, there’s not much to go on.

Investigators say Brady arrived home around midnight, and was taking a walk in the neighborhood, as he often did. However on this night, he crossed paths with the wrong person and ended up shot to death just a few feet from his driveway.

“Based on the description from a witness, we believe there are at least two people involved," said Lt. Curt Mays of the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office

Brady’s family says they’re still trying to come to grips with the fact that their big brother is dead – and can’t have any closure until the people responsible for his death are caught.

“Look at Leon if he was your brother – and know that someone shot your brother and took a life. No matter what the situation, you took another person's life," Perdue said.

The Desoto County Sheriff’s Office is hoping they key to solving this case may actually come from residents of nearby Charlotte or Lee County. At this point, they’re searching for any new information – even something as simple as a rumor.

“Nobody’s talking, so we’re reaching out for anything to help us with this case," Mays said.

The Brady family feels confident that the killer, or someone close to the killer, will do the right thing and come forward – and give the family the answers they’re so desperate for.

“My brother Leon is the victim, but they left victims who are still alive – which is the family that’s all here – the sisters, the brothers. We are victims because we have no answers," Perdue said.

Anyone with information on the murder of Leon Brady, or an unsolved crime, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.