Sac and Fox Nation offers reward for answers in Shawnee man's 2022 murder

Sac and Fox Nation Offering $10,000 Reward

The Sac and Fox Nation is offering a $10,000 reward for answers in a Shawnee father's death. The case has gone unsolved for three years, leaving Brandon Kaseca’s family wondering if they will ever get justice.

An attorney out of Albuquerque, New Mexico has taken on Kaseca's murder case pro-bono. Darlene Gomez specializes in Missing Murdered Indigenous Persons cases and her strategy is to build a partnership between the family, community, and law enforcement.

Three years without answers

“January 30th does mark three years,” said Ellen Meely, the victim’s sister.  

Meely grieves not only the loss of her younger brother but their mother.

“My mom was his strongest advocate, and she passed away last year after the walk,” she said.

The walk is to bring awareness to Kaseca’s unsolved murder. He was killed in 2022 at a home in Shawnee.

“When I reach out to the Shawnee PD task force, all they can tell me is there’s no update,” said Meely. “And there’s nothing they can share at this time.”

"Victim's families have rights"

Their attorney plans to put pressure on law enforcement.

“Victim’s families have rights, and they have rights to ensure police departments like the Shawnee Police Department are doing what they need to do to solve this case,” said Darlene Gomez, their attorney.

In Kaseca’s case, there was a witness. According to the police report, another person inside the home described what the intruder was wearing and heard the gunshot that killed the victim.

“In my opinion and what I feel, it’s somebody we know,” said Christa McClellan, the victim’s cousin.

Gomez remains confident she can help the family find answers, like she has done with so many other unsolved Indigenous victim murder cases.

“I’ve been on this journey 24 years, and out of 28 cases, I’ve been able to bring justice to nine families,” said Gomez. “So, when we look at statistics in Indian Country, that is extremely, extremely high.”

Kaseca's family said the one witness to the murder passed away last year. However, they believe someone out there knows something.

Tips can be reported to the Sac and Fox Nation police or the Shawnee Police Department.