A Kalamazoo man is heading to trial for a 2022 double homicide on Kalamazoo's northside, after a witness came forward with detailed testimony about the killings.

Tarra Mayes and Alfred Simpson's bodies were discovered by a new homeowner in a decomposing state in a shed on North Rose Street on August 22, 2023. Just under three years later in February 2026, Rajai Keyontae Brown, 44, was charged with two counts of open murder for the deaths of Mayes, 46, and Simpson, 67.

A judge bound Brown over for trial on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. His bond was denied.

"I don't know if it was the night before or the night of that Tarra had pulled a knife on him," witness Jesse Palmer said in court. "And I don't know what happened between that but he told me that he ended up taking the knife from her and stabbing her and then Neil (Alfred) came in and try to stop him and then he and Neil got into it and he started stabbing Neil."

Palmer testified in court that he used to live in the home on North Rose Street with Mayes, Simpson and Brown. He said he moved out of the home in February 2022 after Brown shot at him.

When Palmer returned to the home a month later, that's when he claims Brown told him about the murders, according to court documents. Palmer said Brown told him he stabbed Mayes and Simpson to death about a week after their murders.

Palmer also claimed Brown asked him to help take care of the bodies while looking in the direction of the shed on the property.

Through phone records, investigators also learned Mayes' phone stopped sharing location data on March 13, 2022, and Brown's phone was in the same location as Mayes and Simpson until the following day. Phone records were then used to track down Brown in February 2026.

Year-Long Mystery

Police searched for the killer of two people found dead in a garage for nearly a year before identifying Brown as the suspect.

The case has drawn attention from the Kalamazoo community due to the length of the investigation and the disturbing circumstances of the discovery. Brown's defense attorney Caleb Grimes argued that Palmer only came forward after watching news coverage of the case.

Brown faces two counts of open murder, the more serious homicide charge in Michigan. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The trial will proceed in the Kalamazoo County circuit court. A date for the jury selection has not been set.

Previous Coverage

Earlier reporting on the case revealed that Palmer claimed Brown shot at him on multiple occasions before eventually killing Mayes and Simpson. Palmer said he left the home in fear for his safety.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has not released additional details about the investigation beyond the witness testimony and phone records.

Anyone with information about this case can contact the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division at (269) 337-8139.

Sources