Cold Cases with Chloe Carter: The Story of Ozell Addison Jr.
It is time now for our July edition of Cold Cases with Chloe Carter. This month, we are taking a look at the unsolved murder of 19-year-old Ozell Addison Jr.
Ozell Addison Jr. was only 19-years-old. He was a son, a bother, a friend, a young man who had big plans for his future, but in December 2022, those plans came to an end when he was found dead inside of a vehicle in Gulfport.
Three years later, his family is still waiting for answers.
Before he became a victim, Ozell Addison Jr. was a young man with ambition. His family says he loved making people laugh, was devoted to those around him, and was working toward building a future he could be proud of.
To them, he has always been much more than a headline. His parents say Ozell had accomplished a lot in his 19 years. He had set goals, worked hard, and had his sights set on the next chapter of his life. They say his future looked bright. That future was cut short.
On December 7, 2022, Ozell Addison Jr. was found dead inside a vehicle behind an alley in the 2000 block of 31st Street in Gulfport. Investigators determined he had died from a single gunshot wound. The case was ruled a homicide.
For Ozell’s family, the days leading up to his death are still difficult to talk about.
They remember the moment they realized something was wrong and the moment their lives changed forever.
Now, they’re hoping someone will help them find the person responsible.
Long before this investigation, Ozell had made an impact on people in his community. One of those people was Gulfport Police Lt. Jason Ducre. The two met through the ‘Before the Bullet’ program where Ducre mentored young people across the Coast. He says Ozell was the kind of young man you rooted for.
Ducre says learning about Ozell’s death was different. This wasn’t just another case. It was someone he knew, someone he believed had a promising future.
While Ozell’s family grieves, detectives continue searching for answers. Investigators have spent years reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and following leads. They believe this case can be solved.
Detectives say even years later, forensic technology, new information, and a single tip could change the course of the investigation. They believe someone knows what happened.
For Ozell’s family, this story isn’t about a cold case. It’s about a son who should still be here.
If you have information that could help investigators, you’re asked to contact the Gulfport Police Department or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers.
