Tucson Police Solve Cold Case Murder After Suspect's Death

Detectives link 39-year-old Larry Kenneth Woods to 2014 killing of 79-year-old Leroy Baillie, but Woods died in 2024 before charges could be filed.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:19am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a set of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the gritty investigation of an unsolved murder case.The haunting discovery of a murder victim's restraints years later exposes the challenges of cold case investigations.Tucson Today

More than a decade after 79-year-old Leroy Baillie was found dead in his Tucson apartment, police have finally connected the prime suspect, 39-year-old Larry Kenneth Woods, to the murder. However, Woods died in 2024 from undetermined causes, meaning he will never face charges for the crime.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases, especially when the prime suspect passes away before charges can be filed. It also underscores the importance of persistent investigative work and the use of modern forensic techniques to uncover clues, even years after a crime has been committed.

The details

In November 2014, Tucson police found Leroy Baillie dead in his apartment, bound and with blunt force trauma. Investigators identified unauthorized transactions on Baillie's bank accounts and linked the activity to Larry Kenneth Woods, who had been arrested days before Baillie's body was discovered. However, police were unable to file charges at the time. In 2026, the Tucson Police Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation and was finally able to connect Woods to Baillie's murder. Tragically, they learned that Woods had died in September 2024 in Maricopa County, with the cause of his death listed as undetermined blunt force trauma.

  • On November 19, 2014, Tucson Police found Leroy Baillie dead in his apartment.
  • In 2026, the Tucson Police Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation.
  • In September 2024, Larry Kenneth Woods died in Maricopa County from undetermined blunt force trauma.

The players

Leroy Baillie

A 79-year-old man who was found dead in his Tucson apartment in 2014.

Larry Kenneth Woods

A 39-year-old man who was identified as the prime suspect in Baillie's murder, but died in 2024 before charges could be filed.

Tucson Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated Baillie's murder and eventually connected Woods to the crime, even after his death.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases, especially when the prime suspect passes away before charges can be filed.”

— Tucson Police Department

The takeaway

The Tucson Police Department's persistence in reopening and solving this cold case, even after the prime suspect's death, demonstrates the importance of never giving up on unsolved crimes. This case serves as a reminder that justice can sometimes be achieved, even years after a tragedy has occurred.