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Bluitt -
Yates
The cold case homicide investigations for two men killed in Beaumont are receiving renewed attention from family members still in pursuit of justice.
Former mayoral candidate Joshua Yates was just 34-years-old when police discovered his lifeless body on New Year’s Eve, 2021, at his home on Cartwright St. Despite disclosure that the manner of death appeared to be murder from gunshot wounds, little other information has been released. No suspects have been identified.
Yates, a trained phlebotomist and the beat of his grandmother’s heart, is remembered as a gentle and giving soul, who was always the “life of the party.”
“He loved visiting the nursing home, feeding the homeless, and feeding less than fortunate youth,” Yates’ obituary reflects. “Joshua was a happy people-person and never met a stranger, always helping someone, talking with someone, and praying for someone.”
Seven years before Yates’ murder, police were searching for the killer of 27-year-old Charles Bluitt – and police are still seeking the identity of the offender.
According to Beaumont police, Bluitt was killed on Jan 15, 2015, at 9:26 p.m. in the 4600 block of Abilene in the city’s north end.
Jan. 16, 2015, BPD advised of the homicide.
“Detectives have positively identified the man killed in an overnight shooting in Beaumont’s north end,” BPD reported. “He was 27-year-old Charles Bluitt.
“Detectives also found a quantity of narcotics both outside and inside the house where Bluitt was killed. They are working to determine if there was a link between his death and the narcotics.”
The narcotics link eight years ago still hasn’t led to an arrest, and Bluitt’s family is hoping that someone with information on this crime will alert investigators as to any detail that could lead to his killer.
Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact the Beaumont Police Department at (409) 832-1234, or Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas at (409) 833-TIPS.