South Memphis Mother Seeks Justice Two Years After Son's Death

Deborah Golden continues to plead for information about the 2024 killing of her 19-year-old son Maalik Cade.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Nearly two years after her son Maalik Cade was found shot to death on a South Memphis street, Deborah Golden continues to walk the same area in hopes of prompting someone to come forward with information. CrimeStoppers is offering a $4,000 reward, but the case remains unsolved as Memphis police say they are still actively investigating.

Why it matters

The unsolved killing of Maalik Cade highlights the persistent challenges of gun violence and lack of community cooperation in parts of South Memphis, where the Pillow Street and Kerr Avenue corridor has been the focus of previous investigations into drug and gun activity.

The details

On April 1, 2024, 19-year-old Maalik Cade was found shot to death on the 1400 block of Pillow Street in South Memphis. Memphis police responded to the scene but have not released any new information about the case. Deborah Golden, Cade's mother, has repeatedly walked the area in hopes of prompting someone to come forward with information, but the CrimeStoppers reward of up to $4,000 has not yet produced a break in the case.

  • Maalik Cade was found shot to death on April 1, 2024.
  • It has been nearly two years since Cade's death.

The players

Deborah Golden

The mother of Maalik Cade, who continues to walk the area where her son was killed in hopes of prompting someone to come forward with information.

Maalik Cade

A 19-year-old who was found shot to death on the 1400 block of Pillow Street in South Memphis on April 1, 2024.

Memphis Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating Cade's death, which has not released any new information about the case.

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What they’re saying

“received a phone call on April 1, 2024, that changed my life forever”

— Deborah Golden, Maalik Cade's mother (WREG)

“We are still actively working this case.”

— Memphis Police Department (WREG)

The takeaway

The unsolved killing of Maalik Cade underscores the persistent challenges of gun violence and lack of community cooperation in parts of South Memphis, where the Pillow Street and Kerr Avenue corridor has been the focus of previous investigations into drug and gun activity. Deborah Golden's continued pleas for information highlight the human toll of these unresolved crimes and the need for greater public engagement to help bring justice for victims and their families.