Buffalo Police renew call for tips in 2-year-old murder of 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin

Authorities offer $7,500 reward for information on unsolved homicide case

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single, unidentified piece of physical evidence related to the Jaylen Griffin murder case, such as a broken toy or a torn piece of clothing, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the investigative nature of this unsolved crime.A key piece of physical evidence in the unsolved murder of 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin may hold the clue to solving this tragic cold case.Buffalo Today

Buffalo Police are renewing their call for information in the unsolved murder of 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin, whose body was found in an attic in South Buffalo two years ago. Griffin was last seen alive in the summer of 2020 at his home, and his body was later discovered nearly five miles away. Interim Commissioner Craig Macy said all homicide cases are a priority, and two cold case detectives are assigned to solve the murder. The public is being asked to come forward with any information that could help crack the case.

Why it matters

The unsolved murder of a 12-year-old boy is a tragic case that has left the community searching for answers and justice. Solving this cold case could provide closure for Jaylen's family and help prevent similar crimes in the future.

The details

Griffin's body was found on April 12, 2024, in a house on Sheffield Avenue, nearly five miles from his home on Warren Avenue. Authorities believe there are people who know why his body ended up at that location and are urging them to come forward. Two cold case detectives, Christopher Sterlace and Natasha Anderson, are assigned to the investigation, and CrimeStoppers has reissued a poster reminding the public of a $7,500 reward for information.

  • Jaylen Griffin was last seen alive in the summer of 2020.
  • His body was found on April 12, 2024, two years ago this Sunday.

The players

Craig Macy

Interim Commissioner of the Buffalo Police Department.

Christopher Sterlace

Cold case detective assigned to the Jaylen Griffin murder investigation.

Natasha Anderson

Cold case detective assigned to the Jaylen Griffin murder investigation.

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What they’re saying

“Cold cases are still an open homicide. I'm confident we can solve this.”

— Craig Macy, Interim Commissioner, Buffalo Police Department

“Every homicide is a tragedy, especially unsolved homicides, and then when you add a homicide of a child who had a kind of a rough life like Jaylen did, it's something that we're really, we're really reaching out to the public asking for help.”

— Christopher Sterlace, Cold case detective

“It means a lot to me. Just being a mother and a grandmother. My heart breaks for anybody who loses a loved one, but a parent or a sibling, those are really tough. Think about Jaylen as being this 12-year-old kid who needs to hear your voice today. And we're the only you're the only person that could actually help him.”

— Natasha Anderson, Cold case detective

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the release of additional details about the investigation.

The takeaway

This unsolved murder of a 12-year-old boy is a tragic case that has left the community searching for answers and justice. Solving this cold case could provide closure for Jaylen's family and help prevent similar crimes in the future, underscoring the importance of public cooperation in homicide investigations.