Prosecutors say DNA evidence, phone records and witness accounts linked the suspect to the death of a Kansas City mother of four.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Missouri man with a prior manslaughter conviction has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2024 death of his girlfriend, a 26-year-old woman whose body was found bound with zip ties and wrapped in duct tape in a vacant lot in Kansas City.
Jackson County prosecutors announced charges against Ramello Robinson-Parks in the killing of Elaysha Gilliam, a mother of four who disappeared in February 2024. The case remained unsolved for more than two years before investigators said DNA evidence, cellphone records and witness statements helped build a case. Robinson-Parks also faces charges of armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. The filing marks a major development in a homicide that drew attention because of the condition in which Gilliam’s body was discovered and the length of the investigation.
Gilliam was last seen during the early hours of Feb. 17, 2024, according to court records cited by prosecutors. Family members told investigators she was seen getting into a black Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Robinson-Parks around 12:30 a.m. Two days later, a homeless couple living near an overgrown vacant lot close to Oakley Avenue and East 36th Terrace found her body and alerted authorities. The couple later told investigators they had heard a woman screaming and several gunshots around 4 a.m. on the morning Gilliam disappeared. Detectives determined that Gilliam had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her head, neck, torso, arm and buttocks. Her hands and feet had been restrained with zip ties, and duct tape had been wrapped around her head and mouth. The details quickly turned the case into a major homicide investigation for Kansas City police.
As detectives worked to reconstruct Gilliam’s final hours, investigators interviewed Robinson-Parks and reviewed physical evidence collected from the scene. Prosecutors said he initially told investigators that he learned of Gilliam’s death after returning from a trip to Las Vegas. According to court documents, he said he had spoken with her on Valentine’s Day and believed everything appeared normal. Investigators said some of his statements were inconsistent with other evidence gathered during the investigation. Authorities later obtained cellphone location data that allegedly placed him near the area where Gilliam’s body was discovered. Prosecutors also said DNA evidence connected him to the crime. According to the charging documents, DNA matching Robinson-Parks was identified on a piece of a latex glove found in Gilliam’s hair, in samples taken from her mouth and in material recovered from her fingernails. During his arrest, detectives reportedly found gloves that resembled the fragment recovered from the victim.
The killing shocked family members and residents in Kansas City, where Gilliam was known as a young mother raising four children. Her death occurred during a period when violent crime remained a significant concern in parts of the city, and relatives publicly sought answers as the investigation stretched on. The discovery of her body in a vacant lot prompted repeated appeals from family members for information. At the time, investigators released limited details while processing forensic evidence and interviewing potential witnesses. The case illustrates how homicide investigations can continue for years before prosecutors believe they have gathered enough evidence to file charges. In this instance, authorities relied on a combination of witness accounts, forensic testing, digital records and investigative interviews to support the allegations. Prosecutors have not publicly identified a specific motive for the killing, and some questions about the events leading to Gilliam’s death remain unresolved.
Robinson-Parks is accused of first-degree murder, the most serious homicide charge under Missouri law. Prosecutors also charged him with armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. Court records cited in the case indicate he previously was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in physical injury. At the time the new charges were filed, Robinson-Parks was already being held in federal custody on unrelated drug and weapons charges. The murder case is expected to proceed through the Missouri court system, where prosecutors will present evidence supporting the allegations and defense attorneys will have an opportunity to challenge it. No conviction has been secured, and the charges remain allegations until proven in court. Future hearings are expected to address custody arrangements, evidence disclosures and scheduling matters as the prosecution moves forward.
The announcement of charges brought a measure of movement to a case that had lingered for more than two years. Family members who spent months seeking answers now face the prospect of a lengthy court process. Prosecutors emphasized the role of forensic evidence in the investigation, while investigators credited witness statements and digital records for helping establish a timeline. The case also highlights the work of detectives who revisited evidence over an extended period as laboratory testing and investigative leads developed. Although many details remain undisclosed, authorities say the evidence collected during the investigation points to a clear suspect. Community members who followed the case closely are now expected to watch the court proceedings for further information about what happened during Gilliam’s final hours and how prosecutors intend to present their case.
The case remains in its early court stages. Robinson-Parks is being held in federal custody, and prosecutors are expected to continue preparing evidence for future proceedings as the homicide prosecution advances through the Missouri judicial system.