WILMINGTON – A years-long investigation by the Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit has led to a second arrest in connection with a 2017 murder, bringing renewed hope for justice in a case that had remained unsolved for over seven years.
Authorities announced that 30-year-old Kenneth Bleen was taken into custody without incident on February 18, following an indictment by the New Castle County Grand Jury. Bleen has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 34-year-old Jermaine Francois, who was killed in the early morning hours of January 11, 2017. He has been arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and remains in custody at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $1,000,000 cash-only bail.
Bleen’s arrest marks the second breakthrough in the long-standing case according to police. In April 2024, the Cold Case Unit identified and arrested 30-year-old Robin Webster, who was also charged with first-degree murder. Webster was taken into custody on April 23, following a grand jury indictment presented the previous day. She is currently being held at the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $5,000,000 cash-only bail.
The case traces back to January 11, 2017, when Wilmington police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of East 14th Street shortly after midnight. Upon arrival, officers discovered Francois suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries.
For years, the case remained open, with investigators working tirelessly to develop new leads. Sergeant Don Palmatary of the Criminal Investigations Division originally oversaw the case, but as time passed without resolution, it was transferred to the Cold Case Unit. The Unit, led by Investigators Steven Rizzo, Mariana Espinosa, and Detective Devon Jones, eventually identified Webster and Bleen as suspects, leading to their arrest’s officials said Friday.
The Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit, a division of its Criminal Investigations Division, is dedicated to solving long-standing homicide cases in which all initial investigative leads have been exhausted. By re-examining evidence, re-interviewing witnesses, and utilizing modern forensic techniques, the Unit continues to pursue justice for victims and their families.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to this or any other cold case to come forward. The Cold Case Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3937, and Investigator Steven Rizzo can be contacted via email at [email protected].