February 9, 2026 | By: Kara Yelman

This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class.

What Tiffany Key loved most about her cousin Cody was his smile. “His innocent and heart-melting smile, when he would look at you with those bluish-green eyes and blonde hair, he would definitely get to your heart just by smiling at you.”

That infectious smile disappeared forever on Valentine’s Day of 2023. Cody Key, 19, was shot while walking near the intersection of N 49th Street and E Diana Street in Tampa, Florida, around 11:30 pm on February 13, 2023. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Cody’s murder is still unsolved.

Cody was a very shy and quiet kid. “He always had a hoodie on and kept to himself,” said Tiffany. He was the type of person who was quiet but loved being around the people who loved and cared about him. Tiffany described Cody’s love for cheering up others close to him, no matter how he was feeling himself. She described him as a “character” for the things he would do to try to put a smile on someone’s face. Whether it was making funny faces or creating little raps out of nothing, but what was in his mind, his goal was just to make them laugh.

Cody and Tiffany weren’t very close in age, but that didn’t change how close their bond was. Growing up, Tiffany played a big sister role to Cody more than a cousin role. “He was always like my little babydoll I would take care of and carry around with me,” Tiffany said. As she got older and got her license and a car, she would take him on drives, take him shopping when he needed clothes, and bring him to events. Cody’s Aunt Peachy played a big role in his life as well.

One of Tiffany’s favorite memories of her and Cody is playing video games on PlayStation together in her bedroom. “I went and bought a PlayStation just for him,” Tiffany said. While it stayed at her house, it was not a far commute for Cody to go and play because they were next-door neighbors all his life.

Cody did not have a picture-perfect upbringing. As a young child, his learning disability made school hard for him, and ultimately, he stopped going.

On February 13, 2023, he and one of his friends were walking down N 49th Street in Tampa, Florida. Around 11:30 p.m., deputies were called to the scene, and Cody was found with gunshot wounds. A close neighbor brought him to the hospital, and he passed away the following day, Valentine’s Day.

Just a day after Cody’s death, his sister, Cheyenne, set up a GoFundMe to share with her community in hopes of donations so the family could hold a nice service for Cody.

Even through the pain of losing her cousin, Tiffany chooses to hold onto the light, remembering all the laughter, love, and smiles they shared over his 19 years.

Since Cody’s passing, Tiffany has moved out of the Tampa area and does not stay in close communication with her family. She has gone on to start her own family and raise her kids with the same love she had for Cody.

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Anyone with information concerning Cody Key’s unsolved homicide is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247‑8000. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at (800) 873-8477.

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