Alonzo Brooks' Death 16 Years Ago Ruled as Homicide by FBI

By Mary Anne Webber Apr 06 2021, 02:25 AM EDT

Alonzo Brooks' death has been determined as a homicide after his body was exhumed and subjected to another autopsy.

Brooks' death was reported more than 16 years ago. But a new probe has unfolded as federal authorities investigate his death as a possible hate crime, according to an Associated Press report.

Based on the new autopsy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded that Brooks' death was a homicide.

"This new examination by a team of the world's best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice," acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard said in a statement as reported by KMBC.

Slinkard added that they knew Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances. FBI said the new autopsy has concentrated on injuries to parts of Brooks' body that are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan said their reach is broad and the strength of their investigative tools is exceptional.

Langan added that they remain dedicated to knowing the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and capturing those responsible.

"The FBI's commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation," Langan said in a report.

During the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County admitted that he was unable to determine the cause of death, adding that witnesses' interviews also failed to produce any arrests.

In 2019, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas reopened the investigation of Alonzo Brooks' death. His body was exhumed last year from a Topeka cemetery for a re-examination.

Alonzo Brooks' Case

Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries" included Alonzo Brooks' death in one of their episodes. The series featured interviews from those who were with the young Black man that night he went missing. He was last seen in the rural, predominantly white area of La Cygne, Kansas, according to an E! News report.

Alonzo Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 at a party in a house on the borders of La Cygne. He was also one of the only three African-American men who attended the party. It was believed that 100 or more people were at the party.

Alonzo Brooks went with his friends to the said house party, but his friends allegedly left him and ended up with no ride home.

He was reported missing the next day and authorities failed to search for his body. It was only when his friends and family made the effort to search for him that he was found.

The Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies also searched the areas around the farmhouse.

However, they failed to locate Brooks' body. It was Brooks' father and a family friend that found him in a creek near where the party was held.

"To find my boy like that. Nothing can describe that pain," Billy Brooks Sr. said as reported by NBC News.

A Facebook page "Justice for Alonzo Brooks" was created to help the case and share awareness as his family continues to search for answers surrounding his death.

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks' death.

Federal authorities also encouraged anyone with information to call the FBI at 816-512-8200 or 816-474-8477. People could also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

WATCH: Alonzo Brooks' Death Ruled a Homicide in Major Update to Unsolved Mysteries Case - From CTV News