Unsolved Atlanta Murder Case Reopened

Atlanta police have reopened the case of John E. Ray, who was stabbed and beaten to death seven years ago by a man believed to have targeted him through a gay dating site.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on renewed investigation into the unsolved murder and robbery, which occurred on May 16, 2004, in Ray's Lakewood Heights home.

"Ray's body was found on May 19, 2004, bloodied and lying face-down on the floor of his home, his hands bound behind his back and the broken-off blade of a knife in his chest, police said," according to the Journal-Constitution.

The killer took care to shower and clean the murder scene, which showed signs of struggle. However, after seven years, police have reopened the investigation with the benefit of new technology and techniques.

Detective David Quinn told the Journal-Constitution that he believes the killer was not gay, but targeted Ray, who was 32, for robbery. Stolen items included electronics and a car, which police spotted by chance hours after the murder, but the driver fled.

According to Ray's younger sister Jonique Brown, who spoke with the Journal-Constitution, Ray had served in the Air Force and worked as a paralegal for a nonprofit that helped clients unable to afford legal services.