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March 23, 2026 | By: Rachel Mates
This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class.
Kevin Clewer loved all gourmet food and worked to learn how to cook. Together, he and his brother were co-chefs on a team in Rockford, Illinois’s 100 Men Who Cook fundraiser event for The Literacy Council. “From shrimp appetizers to espresso mousse, we cooked it all,” said his brother, Ronald Clewer. “Everything together, including the main courses, drew a crowd to our booth every year.”
Those cooking events ended in 2004, when, at age 31, Kevin Clewer was found stabbed at least 40 times in his apartment after a night out in the Boystown area of Chicago. Kevin’s murder remains unsolved, but the Chicago Police Department continues to search for answers.
Kevin was born on April 7, 1972, and grew up in Chicago as a typical boy, playing in the dirt, out in the yard, playing with cars and bikes. “We spent most of our summers outside,” Ronald said. “From the time he was old enough to ride his Big Wheel, until he was a teenager.” As a teenager, he briefly was a limousine driver and developed a love for cars, especially sports and luxury models. “He would talk about the day he would own a Porsche or Mercedes,” said Ronald. Throughout growing up, he must have had 10 or more used cars, always trading up to his goal.
He had a very loving childhood, but had some adjustments just as other children commonly endure. His parents were divorced. He and his younger brother Ronald, seven years apart in age, were split up between their mother’s and father’s households. At such a young age, Kevin lived at his mother’s, while Ronald lived at his father’s. This, however, kept him and Ronald even closer. “It made us feel more connected, even if we weren’t together every day, we appreciated each other more,” said Ronald. When Kevin was 17, their father, Jim, married Marilyn, who became their stepmother.
Kevin had not told anyone he was gay at this point, fearing what reactions he would get. Marilyn helped Kevin feel comfortable with his family being okay with him being gay. “I told Kevin he had nothing to be afraid of, and his dad would love him the same way he does now,” said Marilyn. Kevin then got the courage to tell Jim, and he felt much closer to him. He knew at a young age that he was gay, but kept it inside.
For the first time, Kevin no longer had to hide a part of himself from the people he loved the most. With that weight lifted from him, he had a whole new sense of confidence and embraced who he was. He had relationships, and those partners would come around to holiday gatherings. “They were a part of our family,” said Ronald. Halloween was one of Kevin’s favorite holidays. One year, there was a costume party. He and his partner dressed like women. They drove two hours to the party wearing these costumes. “Kevin doesn’t do anything small; he goes all out,” said Ronald. Moments like that made him feel truly accepted and carefree being himself.
On March 24, 2004, Kevin was out with his friends bar-hopping in the Boystown area in Chicago, Illinois. Kevin met a stranger, and they went back to his place nearby. The next day, Kevin did not show up to work. After several hours of not hearing from Kevin, his father drove to his apartment and found his son’s body on the floor. The door was locked when his father arrived; he broke it open. His son was covered, and there was significant blood spatter. “It is the last thing any of us would have on our minds; we thought the worst case was that Kevin fell asleep and missed work,” said Jim.
He had been stabbed repeatedly in the back, as if it was targeted with rage. When the Chicago police arrived, Marilyn and the rest of the family were not allowed inside, except Jim, the father, who was already in the apartment and had called the police. “I did not know what to expect walking in there,” said Ronald. “Thankfully, I dropped my daughters, Justine and Nikki, off at our cousins’ house beforehand.” After the crime scene investigation was done, Ronald went to pick up his daughters. The first thing on the TV was the news about Kevin. “It felt so surreal. How could this happen? Why to my brother?” said Ronald.
Communication with the police was a huge struggle for the family. The original detective, working on this case, was cold and dismissive at a time when the family was desperate for answers. “Well, I don’t owe you anything; I owe Kevin,” said the Detective. Then a new Detective was assigned, and Kevin’s family believed this detective was going to get them answers. According to Ronald, the new detective quickly received an arrest warrant in the case. Unfortunately, the individual was released.
Since 2017, another detective has been working on the case. Although progress is slow, he has been very attentive and gathers any piece of information about the case he can regarding a suspect known as “Fernando.” There have been some developments over the years. “A few years back, Chicago police traveled to Puerto Rico and interviewed the suspect known as Fernando,” said Ronald. At this moment, the investigation has sort of paused, as there is not enough proven evidence on the suspect to solve the case.
Grief and companionship are what kept Kevin’s family together throughout this tough time. They keep moving forward, the best they can, while searching for answers. “I made a promise to my mom and dad before they passed to never stop seeking answers, and that’s exactly what I am doing,” said Ronald. “Some days the grief is worse than others, but I find the best way to carry on.” Marilyn tried participating in grief groups; however, they weren’t designed specifically for families going through violent crimes. “It would just bring back everything all over again and wasn’t helping me,” said Marilyn. Even so, they know their efforts to find answers are what Kevin would have wanted. Kevin will always be remembered as the person who always made everything better. Every occasion, every holiday, and every activity that his nieces participated in, such as soccer and musical theater, he was there. His loved ones still think about him every day, carrying his memory.
Anyone with information concerning Kevin Clewer’s unsolved homicide is asked to call the Chicago Police Department at (312) 744-6000. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for an enhanced reward, call the Cook County Crime Stoppers at (800) 535-7867.
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Chicago Tribune - May 19, 2004
Chicago Tribune - May 19, 2004
Chicago Tribune - June 24, 2004
Chicago Tribune - June 28, 2004
Suspect Sketch - "Fernando"
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