CLEVELAND — It has been nearly 16 months since Keshaun Williams went missing in Cleveland on June 17, 2023. Keshaun, who was 15 years old at the time of his disappearance, then became the focus of an Ohio Amber Alert with reward money offered in the case.
Now, for the first time in months, authorities provided an update "pertaining to the status of the investigation" as the Cleveland Division of Police and the U.S. Marshals Office held a joint press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The Amber Alert remains in effect.
WHAT'S NEW
First, reward money in the case has been increased to $27,500. That money will be given to anybody with information that can help police resolve the case.
Second, authorities revealed that a recent tip reported in the last few weeks involves a vehicle connected to Keshaun's disappearance.
“We have reason to believe he was last seen walking away from the party and entering a dark-colored SUV with a group of juvenile males," according to Deputy U.S. Marshal Piccoli. "Early on there was information that was released that a black Jeep was involved and was a suspect vehicle. That had been vetted and is not accurate, however, this new information regarding this dark-colored SUV is accurate and we believe it to be true.”
KESHAUN'S GRANDMOTHER SPEAKS OUT
“There is (sic) people out here who know what happened to Keshaun, and I pray that you come forth and give the information that you have," his grandmother said during Wednesday's press conference. "I’m not asking you if you have it, I know people have it. We’re just prayerfully asking you to come forth. I do a lot of work in this community, I help a lot of people and I want people to understand that my mission is pure. I’m out here to help the young people who need help, and so I’m asking the same people and people in the community to help my family in getting the information that we need for Keshaun.”
She said it has been “very painful” since Keshaun disappeared.
“I miss that big, wet kiss he gives me every time I drop him off at home," she continued. "I miss that. I miss him. I’m just prayerfully asking that somebody come forth with more information to really, really put this thing to an end so our family can get closure for it. We’ve been going through it for over 16 months. It’s a long time.”
CASE SUMMARY
“On Saturday, June 17, 2023, over a year ago now, Keshaun Williams went missing after attending a house party in the 6000 block of Gertrude Avenue here in Cleveland, Ohio," according to Deputy U.S. Marshal Piccoli. "That was the last time people have seen or heard from Keshaun.”
Keshaun was described as 5'7" tall and weighs 130 pounds with brown eyes at the time he was reported missing. He was last seen wearing black jogging pants and a T-shirt.
Anybody with information has been asked to call 1-866-4-WANTED.
KESHAUN'S MOTHER PLEADS FOR ANSWERS
In the months after his disappearance, Keshaun's mother pleaded for her son's safe return.
“Please, whoever my child is with, please return my child," his mother said during a press conference back in April. "He is underage. He has no business being out here without his parent. This is crazy. It’s not safe. It’s not cool. If anybody knows something, please come forward today. Keshaun, if you’re watching this, I love you. I’m going to find you and I’m going to get you home safe.”
She added that "somebody knows something" when asking for anybody with information to reach out to police.
"I don’t know who got you all scared to say something, but what’s done in the dark is going to come to the light," she said. "I need my child to show up. Not today. Not tomorrow. Right now.”
You can watch their full press conference from earlier this year in the video below: