Rajai Brown faces trial on two counts of open murder for the deaths of Tarra Mayes and Alfred Simpson

A Kalamazoo man will stand trial over a 2022 double homicide on Kalamazoo's northside that left two people dead in a shed on North Rose Street.

Rajai Keyontae Brown, 44, was arrested and charged with two counts of open murder for the homicide of Tarra Mayes and Alfred Simpson, on Feb. 11, 2026. The charges were filed by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office.

Bodies found in decomposing state

Tarra Mayes and Alfred Simpson's bodies were discovered by a new homeowner in a decomposing state in a shed on North Rose Street Aug. 22, 2023. The discovery happened nearly three years after the murders.

When the new homeowner moved into the property, they noticed something unusual about the shed on the property. Upon investigating, they found the decomposing remains of two people inside.

Witness account

A witness came forward, telling investigators Brown admitted to taking a knife from Mayes during a confrontation and stabbing her, according to court records.

When Simpson attempted to intervene, Brown allegedly stabbed him as well.

"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 came in and try to stop him and he started stabbing Neil."

Palmer testified 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 Feb. 2022 after Brown shot at him.

Confession timeline

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.

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

When he returned a month later, that's when Palmer claims Brown told him he stabbed Mayes and Simpson to death, which was about a week after their murders.

"I don't know if it was the night before or the night of that Tarra had pulled a knife on him," Palmer testified. "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 got into it and he started stabbing Neil."

Discovery and investigation

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, according to court documents.

The year-long mystery kept police searching for the killer of two people found dead in a garage on the northside of Kalamazoo.

Trial scheduled

Brown is scheduled to appear in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court for the trial. The case involves complex evidence including phone records, witness testimony, and alleged confessions.

Background on victims

Tarra Mayes was 46 years old and Alfred Simpson was 67 years old at the time of their deaths. The exact relationship between the three individuals remains unclear based on available court documents.

The discovery of the bodies in such an advanced state of decomposition raised questions about how long the bodies had been in the shed before being found.

Legal charges

Brown faces two counts of open murder, which is the highest level murder charge in Michigan. If convicted, Brown could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office filed the charges based on evidence gathered over the course of a year-long investigation.

Case timeline

  • Aug. 22, 2023: Bodies of Mayes and Simpson discovered in shed on North Rose Street
  • Feb. 11, 2026: Brown charged with two counts of open murder
  • April 2026: Brown bound over for trial in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court

Court proceedings

The trial will be held in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, where Brown will face the jury. The case involves significant evidence including:

  • Phone records showing Brown's location near the victims
  • Witness testimony from Jesse Palmer
  • Alleged confessions to the murders
  • Physical evidence from the crime scene

The trial proceedings will examine the prosecution's case against Brown on multiple fronts, including the timeline of events, the nature of the confrontation, and the discovery of the bodies.

Community impact

The double homicide case has affected the Kalamazoo northside community, which has seen ongoing safety concerns in recent years.

The discovery of bodies in such a decomposed state has left families of the victims and community members with unanswered questions about what happened and how long the bodies remained in the shed.