Columbus, Ohio – December 5, 1991 — On December 3, 1991, 13-year-old Shurlean McVea was last seen near the Barnett Recreation Center, just a short distance from her foster home on Columbus’s east side. Two days later, her life was brutally taken, and her name has since been lost in the shadows of time, with little progress on the case and no justice served.
What Happened: A Brutal End to a Young Life
Shurlean McVea was a foster child in Franklin County, a young girl with dreams and the promise of a future, but on December 5, 1991, her life was cut short. Her body was discovered in a backyard on Scottwood Road, just four blocks from her foster home. The scene was chilling. Shurlean had been beaten severely, particularly around her face and head, and was strangled to death. Her body, discarded like trash, was left behind as a reminder of the violence she endured.
Despite the brutality of the crime, no one has ever been held accountable for her murder. More than three decades have passed, and the case remains unsolved. In fact, Shurlean’s name is not even listed on the Ohio Attorney General’s website under unsolved cases, and there have been no significant updates on the case since 2015.
Who Was Shurlean McVea?
Shurlean McVea was a young girl, just 13 years old, with a bright future ahead of her. She was a ward of Franklin County, placed in foster care after her parents, struggling with mental illness, were unable to care for her. Despite the system taking over her care, it failed to protect her in the most critical way. Shurlean’s death was not just a tragic loss of a young life but a failure of the very system that was meant to ensure her safety and well-being.
She was a girl with potential, with dreams and the right to a happy life, but someone took all of that from her. Her case, largely forgotten, represents a larger problem — the neglect and abandonment of cases involving vulnerable children who need protection the most.
Public and Social Media Reactions
The lack of updates and attention to Shurlean’s case has sparked frustration among those who remember her, as well as the broader community. Social media posts calling for justice continue to remind people that Shurlean’s life mattered. People online share the same questions: How could such a brutal crime be forgotten? Why has there been no progress in over 30 years?
Friends and advocates for Shurlean’s memory continue to call for attention to the case, making it known that she is not just a forgotten statistic — she was a person who had worth, a life taken too soon.
One supporter said, “Shurlean’s name should never be lost in the system. She had dreams, a future, and the world ahead of her. She deserves justice.”
What Happens Next: A Call for Justice
As of now, Shurlean McVea’s case remains an open investigation, though progress has been minimal. Authorities continue to appeal for information from the public, hoping to uncover the truth behind her tragic death.
If you have any information about the murder of Shurlean McVea, please contact Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477). Your tip, no matter how small, could be the key to finally bringing justice for Shurlean and her family.
Conclusion
Shurlean McVea’s story is a painful reminder of the many unsolved cases that linger in the shadows, waiting for the truth to come to light. It is a call to the public and to law enforcement to never forget those whose lives were stolen too soon. Her story matters, and her case deserves to be solved.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
