New Orleans was left stunned on January 6, 2024, when two separate fatal shootings occurred within a few hours of each other. The victims were 27-year-old Cayla Alivia Kelley and 64-year-old Eddie Lee “Keebler” Matthews. Although the killings initially appeared unrelated, investigators eventually uncovered evidence suggesting that the same firearm had been used in both incidents.
The case was later featured in the A&E series Homicide Squad New Orleans, in an episode titled “In Cold Blood.”
Cayla Kelley’s Tragic Death
Cayla Kelley, originally from Cleveland, had built a career around her passion for beauty and makeup. After completing training in makeup artistry, she worked professionally as a beautician and developed considerable experience in the field.
By early 2024, Cayla was living in New Orleans’ Central City area and working in the French Quarter. She was also reportedly in a relationship and looking forward to building a future with her partner.
Her plans were abruptly cut short on the evening of January 6. At approximately 6:13 p.m., police responded to a shooting call near the 2700 block of Washington Avenue. Cayla was found unresponsive on a sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators recovered shell casings at the location, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eddie Matthews Dies Hours Later
Roughly four hours after Cayla’s death, another shooting was reported near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South Liberty Street.
Police discovered Eddie Lee Matthews, a 64-year-old New Orleans native, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Throughout the years, Eddie had held various jobs such as automotive service jobs, work as a factory assembly worker, and landscaping job experience. He was also considered a father, stepfather, brother, and grandfather. According to the sources, he was deeply affected by the death of his partner around the year 2023, and the bad period in his life that followed involved homelessness despite staying in touch with family members.
CCTV footage helped the investigation
While the investigators were looking for useful data that would help them solve the case, the witnesses allowed detectives to gain some important information about Cayla. Investigators subsequently conducted neighborhood interviews and examined surveillance recordings.
Footage reportedly showed Earl Michael Simmons arguing with Cayla shortly before her shooting. Evidence from the second crime scene then provided an important breakthrough: shell casings recovered from Eddie’s killing were reportedly consistent with those discovered where Cayla was murdered.
Additional surveillance footage showed a person resembling Simmons approaching Eddie before the shooting and leaving the area afterward.
Arrest and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
On January 18, 2024, authorities arrested Earl Michael Simmons at his brother’s residence in Central City. He was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths.
A subsequent search reportedly led investigators to a firearm concealed beneath clothing in a closet. Simmons acknowledged knowing Cayla but denied involvement in either killing.
The case remains a legal matter, and the allegations against Simmons have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation and evidence presented by authorities will ultimately be subject to examination through the judicial process.
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