Atlanta, Georgia — July 2024
Chanell Crosby had already endured losses that would change a family forever.
In April 2022, her brother, Darrio “Polo” Giles, was shot and killed in Atlanta. Five months later, tragedy struck again when Chanell’s 13-year-old son, Jamiren Crosby, was found shot to death in Lithonia, Georgia. Neither case had resulted in an arrest at the time.
Instead of giving up, Chanell became determined to keep asking questions and seeking justice for her son.
Her 13-year-old son disappeared
Jamiren disappeared in September 2022. His body was found on September 19 behind a townhome in Lithonia.
Investigators later released surveillance footage showing Jamiren walking with another person around the time he disappeared. Police said they hoped the footage would help identify someone who might have information about the case. No arrest had been made in connection with his killing in the reporting available at the time.
Chanell continued speaking about her son’s death and became involved in community work. Reports said she created the Crosby Organization, focusing on issues including gun violence, police brutality and community service.
Then Chanell disappeared
On July 14, 2024, Chanell’s family reported her missing. She had reportedly left Atlanta with her boyfriend, Jamal Harvey, for a trip toward Macon, Georgia.
Five days later, on July 19, officers responded to the West End MARTA station after reports of a vehicle emitting a foul odor.
Inside the vehicle, officers discovered Chanell’s body. Atlanta police confirmed that she was 35 years old and said her family had reported her missing five days earlier.
An autopsy later determined that Chanell had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and the Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide.
Three devastating losses
Chanell had spent the years before her death trying to cope with the murders of two people closest to her:
Darrio “Polo” Giles — April 2022
Her brother was shot and killed in Atlanta. No arrest had been made in the case according to reports at the time.
Jamiren Crosby — September 2022
Her 13-year-old son was shot and killed after disappearing from his neighborhood. His murder also remained unsolved.
Chanell Crosby — July 19, 2024
Chanell herself was found dead inside a vehicle at the West End MARTA station. Her death was ruled a homicide.
The circumstances surrounding Chanell’s death later led investigators to focus on her boyfriend, Jamal Harvey, who was reported as having been charged with murder in subsequent coverage.
Chanell’s story is not only about how she died. It is also about the years she spent trying to find answers after losing her brother and her teenage son.
She was a mother, sister and community advocate who continued speaking out after unimaginable loss.
And in July 2024, her own family was left asking the same question she had spent two years asking:
Who was responsible?