Family Seeks Justice For Teen Found Burned And Fatally Shot On Brooklyn Railroad Tracks

DeAndre Matthews, a Black gay teenager, was found dead on train tracks in Brooklyn, New York, and his family demands justice for what they believe was a hate crime.

February 22, 2023
Deandre Matthews, 19, pictured here, was found dead on freight train tracks in Flatbush area of Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 10, 2023.

A Black gay teen was found dead on train tracks in Brooklyn, New York, and his family demand justice for what they believe is a hate crime.

Photo by: NYPD

NYPD

On Feb. 7, 2023, DeAndre Matthews, a Black 19-year-old from Brooklyn, was found dead on the freight train tracks in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, New York. He lived and worked not far from where his body was discovered.

Danielle Matthews, the teen’s mother, reported him missing on Feb. 7, and she tracked down the SUV her son had been driving with the vehicle’s tracking function, according to ABC News. She found it parked about 10 minutes from where she lived with her son. She told News 12 that the vehicle was burnt, and there were no signs of her son.

DeAndre’s body was found nearby at around 4 p.m. that same day. He had burns throughout his body, and he had a gunshot wound to his head that killed him. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and his death was ruled a homicide, reported NBC News.

The victim’s mother and sister believe he was targeted and this was a hate crime. His sister Dajanae Gillespie told NBC New York, “He was gay. And I feel as if this could’ve been a hate crime. I want to know why [the killer] did it. What was the reason? Deandre wasn’t a violent person. This wasn’t for retaliation. He wasn’t in the streets.”

“I don’t know, but I believe it was a hate crime. Who would kill a beautiful soul like that?” Danielle asked.

DeAndre Matthews was an accomplished student who was majoring in criminal justice at the State University of New York Broome Community College in Binghamton, and he was the first one in his family to attend college. He worked hard, taking on two jobs, and he also loved spending time with his family. CBS News reported that DeAndre was known for his sense of humor, and he also enjoyed driving and playing video games.

"He was a funny kid. He was a sweet kid. DeAndre would try to find the good in everyone...and I believe that was his downfall," his mother Danielle told 12 News.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

Next Up

Brooklyn Teen Charged With Hate Crime In Killing Of O'Shae Sibley

O'Shae Sibley was voguing to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album when Dmitriy Popov began spewing racist, homophobic slurs at him before allegedly fatally stabbing him in the chest.

Oregon Man Fatally Stabbed After Defending His Friend From Harassment

Colin Smith, a 32-year-old Portland man, was stabbed to death at a local bar on July 2 while defending his friend from anti-LGBTQ harassment.

Quadruple Homicide In Texas Yogurt Shop Remains Unsolved After Over 30 Years

Who brutally murdered teenagers Eliza Thomas, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayers in 1991?

Can You Help Solve Any Of These Massachusetts Murder Cases?

Authorities and loved ones continue to hold out hope that the killers will someday be brought to justice.

Three Men Charged In Killing Of Hip-Hop Legend Jam Master Jay

The Run-DMC DJ was shot to death in a Queens recording studio in October 2002.

Man Accused Of Murdering Woman After She Removed The AirTag He Put On Her Car

Jailene Flores, a 21-year-old Illinois woman, was murdered by an alleged stalker after she removed an AirTag tracking device he put on her car.

Inside The 27-Year Investigation Of JonBenét Ramsey’s Murder

On Dec. 26, 1996, the pageant princess was found strangled to death in her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado.

Migos Rapper Takeoff Dead After Houston Shooting

In the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2022, the 28-year-old rapper was shot and killed outside a bowling alley in Texas.

Remembering Selena: ‘She Was Just An Amazing Soul’

The iconic musician was shot and killed by the president of her fan club almost three decades ago.

5 Disturbing & Bizarre Facts About Dee Dee Blanchard

Inside the murder of this allegedly abusive mom that brought Munchausen by proxy syndrome into the spotlight.