KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former boyfriend has been charged in connection with the 2024 homicide of 26-year-old Elaysha Gilliam, whose body was discovered bound and shot in a vacant lot. Prosecutors allege that a torn glove and DNA evidence found at the scene link Ramello Robinson-Parks directly to the crime more than two years after it occurred.
Robinson-Parks faces charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges were announced on June 8, 2026, following a lengthy investigation involving forensic analysis, cellphone data, and witness testimonies. At the time of the state’s filing, Robinson-Parks was already in federal custody on unrelated charges.
The crucial evidence in the case includes a small piece of a latex glove recovered from Gilliam’s hair, which authorities claim contains Robinson-Parks’ DNA. Additional DNA evidence collected from Gilliam’s mouth and beneath a fingernail also reportedly matched Robinson-Parks. However, evidence from the scene, such as duct tape and zip ties, revealed no trace of his DNA, a detail that both prosecutors and defense attorneys will likely scrutinize as the case progresses.
Gilliam was found dead on February 19, 2024, in an overgrown lot near Oakley Avenue and East 36th Terrace. Her body was bound with zip ties and covered in duct tape, and she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel pronounced her dead at the scene, and the medical examiner later classified her death as a homicide due to gunshot wounds.
During the investigation, authorities recovered eight .40-caliber cartridge casings from the scene, which could connect Robinson-Parks to the use of a firearm. Despite that connection, no weapon was identified, complicating the prosecution’s case. Robinson-Parks’ prior felony convictions are central to his charge of unlawful firearm possession, as he is legally barred from owning a firearm.
The DNA evidence took on new significance following Robinson-Parks’ arrest on May 16, 2026, for a separate federal case. Detectives discovered gloves in his backpack that are reportedly similar in appearance to the torn glove found at the crime scene, although the prosecution has not confirmed a direct match.
Prosecutors argue that cellphone records provide additional evidence linking Robinson-Parks to the area of Gilliam’s murder. A device associated with him was tracked near his home shortly before 3 a.m. on February 17, 2024, later connecting to cell towers in the vicinity of the vacant lot where Gilliam’s body was discovered. Witnesses recalled hearing gunshots around 4 a.m., aligning with the timelines suggested by the cellphone data.
Detectives also reconstructed Gilliam’s final hours, noting her departure from home shortly after midnight to meet Robinson-Parks. Although the couple had previously dated for about seven years, they had separated several months earlier but maintained contact. Witness statements suggest a tumultuous relationship, with friends describing Robinson-Parks as controlling and jealous.
Gilliam was a mother of four children, and relatives have shared how deeply she was invested in her family and community. Her obituary painted her as someone dedicated to helping those in need, and her family has publicly called for justice as the investigation unfolds. They expressed concern about the longevity of the case’s attention as time passed.
As the prosecution prepares to advance its case, Robinson-Parks maintains the presumption of innocence until a trial or guilty plea determines his fate. The court is expected to address various motions in the coming weeks, including the exchange of forensic evidence and further details surrounding the charges against him. No trial date has been set, and Robinson-Parks remains in federal custody while facing these serious state-level charges.