Royalwood Road resident’s death ruled a homicide

by Melissa Martin

A 19-year-old Akron man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a 38-year-old Royalwood Road resident who was found dead in her home June 21.

Police said Bryant Hargrove Jr. is accused of shooting Jolene Decker-Keres, 38, in the back of her head. The victim’s death is believed to have occurred on June 19, two days before her body was found.

Hargrove was arrested July 4 by Broadview Heights and Akron Police – one day after his release from the Summit County Jail, where he spent three days in connection with a break-in at an Akron home. 

In that case, Akron police records indicate Hargrove allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home on East Catawba Street on June 17, at which time, he allegedly put a gun to her head and demanded to know why she broke up with him.

Hargrove allegedly was confronted by the woman’s roommate and asked to leave the premises. A judge previously granted a protection order barring Hargrove from contacting or going near his ex-girlfriend.

Hargrove was charged July 2 with aggravated burglary, unlawful restraint and violating a temporary restraining order in connection with that case. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond.

Police said they were alerted to the situation in Broadview Heights after a man contacted police requesting a welfare check on Decker-Keres. The caller told police Decker-Keres did not drive, lived alone and had not been heard from in several weeks.

Once on the scene, police accessed the home via an open window and found Decker-Keres dead in one of the home’s bedrooms. Shortly after the woman’s body was found, the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s office ruled her death a homicide by a gunshot wound to the head.

Broadview Heights and Akron police, along with the U.S. Marshals and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, arrested Hargrove July 4. As of press time, no motive for Decker-Keres’ murder had been released.

Hargrove was arraigned in Parma Municipal Court July 7.

Broadview Heights Police Chief Steven Raiff said this is the first homicide investigation his department has conducted since 1979. ∞