Joseph (Run) Simmons and Darryl (DMC) McDaniels kicked off a tour last month—their first without the turntablist of the group Jason (Jam Master Jay) Mizell, the victim of an unsolved murder surrounded by mystery.
The hip-hop group, known for classics like “It’s Tricky” and their Aerosmith collaboration “Walk This Way,” has been on the road without Jam Master Jay. The New York Police Department has expressed its frustrations for the October 30, 2002 murder that remains unsolved 10 years later without any leads.
Vincent Santangelo, who is a 22-year vet and the case’s head detective, tells the Daily News that his team had trouble getting a solid lead. “Nobody would or nobody could tell us the who or what. We’re still looking for that person,” Santangelo said.
Although some sources have provided a detailed play-by-play account of the incident in Jam Master Jay’s recording studio, they could not reveal the identity of the gunman or his sidekick. Santangelo has spent years chasing leads all over the country, but no arrests have been made. He believes that a person with a good tip—who would receive a $60,000 reward—could close this case once and for all.
Investigators have suspected Ronald Washington, who was either the lookout or gunman. But he was never charged because the evidence wasn’t strong enough to convict him. Curtis Scoon, who feuded with Jam Master Jay over a drug debt, was also suspected and likely the one who ordered the hit on him.
The open case has left Jam Master Jay’s family and his closest friends wanting closure. In the meantime, both DMC and Run are keeping their head up and focusing on the tour. “I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since Jay’s death,” DMC said. “That’s crazy. It seems like I just saw him yesterday."
He added, “He impacted other people’s lives and that’s the Jay I loved and respected. But spiritually, he’s always with me. His presence is felt as strongly today as it was the night he passed away.”
[via NYDailyNews]
