‘It’s been hell’: Mother of 12-year-old shooting victim at center of $10K FBI reward says she still doesn’t have answers, 6 months after child's death

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – As Milwaukee police and the FBI offer a $10,000 reward for any information about the death of a 12-year-old on the city's north side, her mother still fights back tears when thinking about her death.

Melonie Davis Darby said her daughter, 12-year-old Marvayah Darby, was shot and killed in the bedroom of her home near 73rd and Fairmount around 1:20 a.m. June 13, 2025.

Darby says the six months after her daughter’s death have been extremely hard for their family as police say the case has gone cold.

“It’s been hell. I have a void in my life now that will never be filled,” Darby said. “I wish I could just put it all behind me, but I can’t. Because I gotta live with it.”

Milwaukee Police Inspector Paul Lough told reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 10, he believes 12-year-old Darby was innocently sleeping when she was shot in the head. MPD consulted their partners at the FBI for further assistance in solving the case that has now gone cold.

“This is one of those cases that have just kind of gone completely cold,” Lough said. “It’s so important because here we have a young 12-year-old girl, asleep in her house, getting killed where she’s supposed to be safe.”

Law enforcement believes a silver or gray SUV may have been involved in this incident.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those involved with this shooting.

While no amount of money will bring her daughter back, Darby said she has gratitude for law enforcement working on her daughter’s case. She says she wants someone to face consequences for the pain they’ve caused her family.

“I’m hoping that it brings some type of awareness to whoever is out there, and they know they did it,” Darby said. “They say hate is a strong feeling, but I hate [who killed my daughter]."

The FBI and MPD are requesting anyone with information regarding the shooting contact the FBI Milwaukee Field Office at (414) 276-4684 or the Milwaukee Police Department at (414) 935-7360. You may also contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Milwaukee police ask anyone with information to call (414) 935-7360. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or by using the P3 Tips online service.