MUS-2026-317
Archive card
MUS-2026-317
Homicide
- Incident
- 1999
- Indexed
- Oct 17, 2026, by MuseUnsolved
- Agency
- New York City Police Department
- Location
- Hollis NY
Public record. Index entry.
Index entry. Case details compiled from public reporting; our researchers have not verified this file yet.
Summary
What happened, as the record shows.
Jaki Byard, 76, a jazz composer, pianist, and teacher, was found shot once in the head at his home in Hollis, New York, on February 11, 1999. Police reported no signs of robbery, forced entry, or struggle, and no weapon was found. Family last saw him at 6 p.m., police put the killing around 10 p.m., and his grandson Emil returned around 11:30 p.m. to find the front door open and Byard's body on the couch. The case remains unsolved. His daughter Diane Byard said in 2020 that she stopped hearing anything from detectives after Covid in 2020.
Timeline
What the record establishes.
- February 11, 1999
Byard died at his home in Hollis of a gunshot wound. Family last saw him at 6 p.m. Police put the killing around 10 p.m.
- February 11, 1999
Grandson Emil returned around 11:30 p.m. and found the front door open and Byard's body on the couch, per the 2024 report.
- 2020
Daughter Diane Byard said she stopped hearing anything from detectives after Covid in 2020.
Key people
The people in the file.
76, a jazz composer, pianist, and teacher. Full name John Arthur Byard. Found shot once in the head at his home in Hollis on February 11, 1999.
Daughter of Jaki Byard. Said in 2020 she stopped hearing anything from detectives after Covid in 2020.
Contact details change over time; confirm the current assignee before publishing.
Investigating agency
Where tips go.
This case is with the New York City Police Department. If you know something, say something to them. For public-record leads for our researchers, use the tip line on any open file.
Coverage
Coverage and further reading.
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