July 6, 2020 | By Alondhra Suarez

This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and a University of North Florida Journalism class. The student credited above wrote this story as a class project.

A young boy is now 8 years old and already resembling so much of his grandfather. He has the same curly mane of hair, the same comical personality, and the same talent for drawing.

“He’s beginning to draw just like his grandfather,” Marissa Carver said about her son.

Unfortunately, he will never meet him.

“My son knows that’s his grandpa,” Marissa said, “and that he is in heaven.”

On August 8, 2007, police responded to the 300 block of Idora Avenue in Vallejo, California to reports of a shooting. Daniel “Danny” James Carver had been shot as he walked to a nearby store.

Danny was able to make his way to a house and ring the doorbell for help but later died. He was only 33 years old.

Danny was an active member of Lighthouse Covenant Fellowship according to his pastor, E. Phillip Greene.

Pastor Greene commented that Danny wasn’t easily offended and had been a vital part of the church’s vision up until his death.

Danny had four children – three daughters and a son. His eldest daughter, Marissa, was 15 at the time of his murder.

Danny was a deep thinker and enjoyed learning from others. He also loved to draw and participated in community art projects at a young man. He would “spit bars” with his daughter while freestyle rapping, and to this day she remembers every line.

Danny’s killer has never been identified, even though some homes in the area had operational video surveillance systems.

The Carver family has offered a $10,000 reward for information, but instead of answers or even clues, the enhanced reward led to more questions and further frustration.

“We got a call but was told that it wasn’t enough money,” Marissa said.

Danny’s mother and sister hosted annual candlelight vigils to honor his memory.

That night of uncertainty over a decade ago still presses on their minds.

Marissa Carver was doing her make up that night at her grandmother’s house when they received a call from Danny’s girlfriend.

Janice Allen, Danny’s mother, grabbed Marissa and drove them quickly to the city of Vallejo’s police station. They were met by Pastor Greene who made efforts to find out which hospital Danny had been taken to.

It wasn’t until much later in the night that police shared Danny’s passing with Pastor Greene, who then notified the family, who had been fearing the worst.

Danny had died in the helicopter rushing him to the hospital.

Marissa requested 30 minutes of privacy during his viewing.

“I remember saying a joke,” she said. “Feeling his chest for no breath.”

She wanted to recite one of their raps but couldn’t bring herself to do so. She left a letter in the casket.

Several years passed and Marissa married and had a child of her own, which assisted in healing her relationship with her mother.

“We have a great relationship now,” she said.

Her father’s death is still sorrowful, but Marissa sees so much of him every day in her son.

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If you have any information on the unsolved murder of Danny Carver, please contact the Vallejo Police Department at (707) 648-4321.

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