‘He didn’t deserve this’: Questions still surround the 2016 murder of a Brantford man

Jeffrey Roberts is shown in an undated photo. (Submitted: Evelyn Roberts)

Jeffrey Roberts died almost a decade ago but, for his family, the pain of losing him remains – as does their determination to find his killer.

The 45-year-old was last seen riding his bicycle in Brantford, Ont. on Nov. 5, 2016. More than two weeks later, on Nov. 21, 2016, a passerby found his body near the Highway 403 overpass at West Street.

“Investigators quickly discovered that it wasn’t a sudden death, that this was a homicide investigation,” said Insp. Keith Tollar with the Brantford Police Service. “Based on the information we’ve received, our members conducted a lengthy investigation.”

Despite those efforts, no one has ever been charged for Jeffrey’s murder.

The investigation

Police searched properties, canvassed neighbourhoods, interviewed witnesses and collected evidence in hopes of closing the case.

They released few details about the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey’s death, but an autopsy found “obvious signs of trauma” on his body.

Tollar declined to discuss the nature of those injuries.

“I can’t get into specifics just because I want to protect the integrity of the investigation,” he said.

But the case, he added, remains open and active.

“We have collected evidence but again, I’m not going to get into any specifics because it’s still an open an ongoing investigation,” Tollar said. “The investigators, sworn and civilian, put a lot of time and effort into these cases. There’s advancements in technology... so any small little piece could be the piece that breaks the case wide open.”

Unanswered questions

Jeffrey’s brother described him as a selfless person who was known throughout the community.

“He was kind. He was loving. He was caring,” Paul Roberts told CTV News. “He’d take anybody in off the street. All the kids loved him.”

Jeffrey suffered a traumatic brain injury years before his death but that didn’t stop him from helping others and he maintained close relationships with both family and friends.

According to his mother, it was standing room only at his funeral.

“He had so many friends,” Evelyn Roberts recalled. “You couldn’t ask for a better person... I’m crying all the time. I miss him so much.”

Paul even named his son Jeffrey to honour his brother’s memory.

“I feel like I’m letting his name live on,” he said. “A positive spin on things, rather than all the negativity that surrounds it.”

The family remains hopeful that someone will come forward with new information.

“We need closure,” Paul pleaded. “It would be nice to have some closure. Anybody that does know anything, it’s not over for you guys. It’s not over for us. We’re still dealing with it every day... my mom is getting old now. She wants to see the end of this before she passes on.”

Evelyn Roberts said Jeffrey is still a part of her life.

“I talk to him everyday, especially when I’m alone,” she admitted. “He didn’t deserve this.”

Reward offered for information

Investigators believe there are people in the community who know what really happened to Jeffrey -and why.

“People tend to talk about these types of things,” Tollar said. “Anything that might seem small to someone might actually help put a puzzle piece together for us.”

A $10,000 reward has also been offered for a tip that leads to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information related to the murder of Jeffrey Roberts can contact Brantford Police or Crime Stoppers.