Man Arrested in 2023 North Rose Street Double Homicide

Published on February 12, 2026

On Feb. 11, 2026, officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety arrested Rajai Keyontae Brown, 44, on outstanding warrants related to the 2023 double homicide of Tarra Mayes and Alfred Simpson.

Brown was arraigned later that day before Judge Ankley on two counts of open murder. Bond was denied.

The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges against Brown on Feb. 6, 2026, following a lengthy investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division.

Mayes and Simpson were found Aug. 22, 2023, inside an exterior shed in the 900 block of North Rose Street. The bodies were discovered by the home’s new owner. Evidence collected at the scene indicated both victims had been deceased for a significant period prior to their discovery.

“This arrest is the result of tireless dedication and unwavering focus by our detectives, who never lost sight of our obligation to the victims’ family to hold the offender accountable for his actions,” said Capt. Danielle Guilds of the Criminal Investigations Division.

Brown’s preliminary examination is scheduled for March 4, 2026.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Kalamazoo Silent Observer at 269-343-2100, through the P3Tips app or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com

By authority of:

Public Information Officer Zach Hamelton

Figure 1: Rajai Brown