A Toledo community is mourning the tragic loss of 13-year-old Kimani Latig, whose body was discovered on March 24, 2025, in an abandoned house, just days after she was reported missing. The discovery sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, where Kimani was known for her vibrant personality and academic achievements.
The ordeal began on the morning of March 17 when Kimani’s grandmother, Darothy Latig, returned home from work to find her granddaughter missing. Kimani, who had legal custody, had not gone to school that day, and her belongings, including her glasses and phone, were still in the house. The last confirmed sighting of Kimani was the previous evening, when she was with her biological father, Darnell Jones. According to Jones, Kimani had called him, expressing fear about being home alone, prompting him to stay with her for a short time.
As time passed without any leads, Darothy Latig reported Kimani missing to the police, who quickly launched an investigation. The community rallied together, forming search parties and distributing flyers in hopes of finding the young girl. Despite their efforts, Kimani’s fate took a tragic turn when her body was found in a dilapidated structure in East Toledo, showing signs of severe trauma, including multiple stab wounds.
The Lucas County coroner’s office ruled Kimani’s death a homicide. As news of her death spread, grief turned into outrage, and the community questioned how such a tragedy could have happened, especially considering that Kimani was just days away from her 14th birthday and had recently been recognized at her school for her achievements.
Investigators quickly shifted their focus to Darnell Jones, the last known person to have seen Kimani alive. During questioning, he provided conflicting statements about the events surrounding her disappearance. Furthermore, in a troubling turn of events, Jones made an unusual request to his girlfriend to disable the home security cameras, which she refused. This decision ultimately led to police obtaining a search warrant for his home, where they discovered items of interest. Once aware of the police activity, Jones fled the scene, leading to a manhunt.
On March 25, he was apprehended by a tactical unit in Columbus after a brief confrontation where he allegedly pulled a gun. Jones was hospitalized in critical condition but later stabilized. He has since been charged with aggravated murder and other felonies related to Kimani’s death. A judge set his bond at $4 million, and prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty.
The investigation into Kimani’s death has also raised questions about the role of child protective services. Reports indicate that the Lucas County Children’s Services had investigated multiple complaints regarding Kimani’s care prior to her disappearance, but no action was taken to remove her from her home. This has led to public outcry and calls for an independent review of the agency’s protocols.
Tragedy struck again less than a month after Kimani’s body was found when the abandoned house where she was discovered caught fire, raising suspicions of arson. Authorities assured the community that all critical evidence had been collected prior to the blaze, and demolition crews quickly leveled the structure, citing public safety concerns.
As the community grapples with this heartbreaking loss, memorials have sprung up in Kimani’s honor, with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes lining the sidewalks. Teachers and classmates have expressed their sorrow, reflecting on Kimani’s bright spirit and the joy she brought to those around her.
Darnell Jones remains in custody, and a tentative trial date has been set for April 2026, but the legal proceedings are expected to be complex given the volume of evidence. Kimani Latig’s story is a painful reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need for effective measures to protect vulnerable children. As her family and friends mourn, the community is left to ponder the preventable nature of this tragedy and the life of a young girl who deserved so much more.
