Keith McNeal Obituary, Death – A man who was shot more than three decades ago in New Orleans has died from his injuries, and his death has now been officially ruled a homicide. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 51-year-old Keith McNeal. Authorities say McNeal died in May due to complications from a gunshot wound to the head, which he sustained in 1990. His death, occurring 34 years after the initial injury, has brought renewed attention to a decades-old case.
According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), McNeal was shot near the intersection of South Rampart Street and Thalia Street. The shooting left him with lasting medical issues, and over the years, he continued to suffer from complications related to the injury. Despite the passage of time, the original case remains unsolved, and police records indicate that no arrests were ever made in connection with the shooting.
In light of McNeal’s recent death, which has now been categorized as a homicide, the NOPD is working to revisit the original investigation. However, efforts to access records related to the 1990 case have been hampered by a significant obstacle. In 2019, the police department experienced a major cyberattack that affected many of its digital files. As a result, some of the documentation that could shed light on McNeal’s case may have been lost or is currently inaccessible.
The police are actively trying to recover any available documents from the time of the shooting, but the damage caused by the cyber incident continues to complicate the process. Despite these challenges, investigators are hoping to piece together enough information to move forward with the case now that McNeal’s death has changed its classification.
McNeal’s case is a rare example of a shooting victim surviving for decades before ultimately dying from related complications. His passing underscores the long-term consequences of gun violence, not only for the victims but also for families and communities that are left with unresolved trauma.
The recent classification of McNeal’s death as a homicide means that a cold case from 1990 has now turned into an active investigation. However, the lack of original records presents a significant hurdle for detectives hoping to track down suspects or witnesses from over 30 years ago.
Authorities have not released further details about the shooting or any possible leads. At this time, the investigation remains open, and law enforcement is seeking any additional information that could help them better understand the circumstances surrounding both the original incident and McNeal’s eventual death.
