September 29, 2025 | By: Aericka Hinds-Parks, PCC Intern

Demetrius Broadnax was a son, a father, and a friend, someone who left a real impact on the people who knew and loved him. “He was my son, my buddy, my best friend,” his mother, Diana Broadnax, said. “He is now my child with wings.”

Demetrius was born and raised in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. His mom remembers him as a calm and happy baby, “not fussy at all,” she said. Growing up, Demetrius was active and ambitious, the kind of kid who did karate and broke boards to make his mom proud. He loved traveling with his mother, especially to Canada. They went so often that whenever they stayed at a Days Inn in the U.S., Demetrius would excitedly ask his mom if they were back in Canada again. Diana still laughs at that memory. He also loved all the classic childhood experiences, such as trips to Disney World, Six Flags, and places that brought out his wide-eyed sense of wonder.

At just 11 years old, Demetrius was crowned Mr. African American, a title that reflected the potential and kindness that people saw in him even then. As he grew older, he pursued college for surgical technology, though it surprised Diana, given his squeamishness around blood. He ultimately shifted paths and worked at a variety of jobs, including Chili’s, a car dealership, and the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.

Demetrius became a father at the age of 17. His son, Demetrius Jr.- lovingly known by the family as “Little Meech” or “Little Demetrius”- was the center of his world. Though Diana was initially shocked to learn she was going to be a grandma so soon, she supported her son and grandson wholeheartedly nonetheless. Years later, she would face the unbearable task of sitting her grandson down to tell him that his father was gone. “It was the hardest thing in the world to tell him that”, she said.

As a teenager, Demetrius and his mom didn’t always see eye to eye. “We were too much alike at times,” Diana said. However, as he grew older, their relationship began to strengthen again. Demetrius was always open with his mother, always calling whenever he was out, no matter the time or hour, and always checking in on her. Even when they were upset, they still made sure to end each and every conversation with their special phrase, “Kiss from the heart”, a reminder that love always came first.

Demetrius had also started to build a stronger connection with his older sister, Crystal. The two didn’t grow up together. Crystal was already in her late teens when she first met Demetrius, who was still in elementary school at the time. For a long while, they didn’t have much of a relationship, but as Demetrius grew older, he wanted that to change. Crystal still remembers how nice it was to finally spend some time with her younger brother when he came to visit her in Virginia. “He was a really sweet person,” she said. After his older sister had later moved to Jacksonville, Florida, Demetrius told her he wanted to come visit again sometime soon, but unfortunately, he never got the chance to.

In 2012, Demetrius was riding his motorcycle out with friends when he was struck by another vehicle. The impact left him paralyzed from his neck down to his arm on the left side of his body, an injury that would take a toll on Demetrius’ love for riding his bike. Demetrius had been a part of a group called the “Ruff Ryders”, a motorcycle club that consisted of fellow bike enthusiasts such as himself. Demetrius had no idea that such a group of people would show nothing but compassion and loyalty in his honor after he was gone.

On October 20, 2013, Demetrius Broadnax was at the Diverse Banquet Hall in Pittsburgh, attending a social event hosted by the New Brotherhood Motorcycle Club. Around 3 a.m., gunfire erupted inside the club, and six innocent people were shot. Demetrius and another young attendee, Jasmine Morris, were fatally wounded. Four other people inside the hall sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the gunfire. “That was the worst day of my life,” Diana said. “I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t walk. A part of me left after he passed, and I will never be the same again.” Crystal remembers getting a call from her mom late that night. At first, she was confused and trying to piece together what exactly had happened, but the moment her mother said, “He’s gone,” everything shifted. “It was heartbreaking,” Crystal said.

Since that day, Diana has made it her mission to honor her son. Every holiday and death anniversary, she makes wreaths in his memory using only the best materials she can find. For the holiday season, Diana and Little Meech would create what they call a “tree of memories”, a Christmas tree covered in photos and reminiscences of Demetrius, along with other family members. They also have a memory garden, complete with an angel that lights up in the same way that Demetrius’ smile would light up a room.

Even at just twelve years old, Little Meech was already honoring his father’s memory by giving. That Christmas, Little Meech told his family he didn’t want presents for himself; instead, he used that money to give gifts to other families who had also lost loved ones at the hands of senseless violence. “Why be greedy and get stuff for me,” he said, “when I could help other people who couldn’t really afford it?” At his high school graduation, Little Meech carried a photo of his dad as he walked across the stage and reserved a seat for him in the audience- making sure his father was still there in spirit for one of the biggest moments in his life.

Demetrius wasn’t someone who sought out trouble. He was smart, kind, and funny- a devoted father, a caring brother, and a deeply cherished son. His absence has left a permanent void in the lives of all those who knew and loved him. “Everybody spoke so highly of him,” Diana said. “Everybody was so surprised.”

What makes the pain even harder to bear is the silence that followed. Years have gone by, and still, no one has come forward. Detectives are still actively working on the case to this day, and the lead detective continues to be in touch with Demetrius Jr.

“He is still with us all the time,” Diana said. “His spirit is with us.”

---

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Pittsburgh Police Department at (412) 244-3358. If you would like to remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, please contact the Pittsburgh PD Tipline at (412) 323-7800.

---

Please consider using the buttons below to share this case in hopes that someone, somewhere, will come forward and give this victim and family the answers they need and the justice they deserve.

If you have a loved one who is the victim of an unsolved homicide, please submit their case here for consideration in a future Cold Case Spotlight post.