In November 2014, 79-year-old Leroy Baillie was found deceased in his apartment following a welfare check. He had been bound and sustained blunt force trauma. Due to advanced decomposition, investigators were unable to determine the full extent of his injuries.
During the investigation, detectives identified multiple unauthorized transactions in Baillie’s bank accounts beginning weeks before his body was discovered. Surveillance and forensic evidence identified a suspect using Baillie’s cards, later identified as 39-year-old Larry Kenneth Woods. Woods had been seen at Baillie’s apartment and was arrested days before the discovery of the body while in possession of Baillie’s financial documents. Investigators determined Woods used the victim’s financial information prior to the homicide, likely obtaining it without consent. Despite extensive investigative efforts, detectives were unable to file charges at that time
In 2026, the TPD Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation and identified additional evidence. Based on the original investigation and new developments, detectives prepared to seek murder charges against Woods. However, they learned he died in September 2024 in Maricopa County from blunt force trauma; the manner of death was undetermined.
Had Woods been alive, he would have been arrested for Baillie’s murder. The case is being submitted for exceptional clearance and will be officially closed. Detectives have notified Baillie’s family of the outcome.
Republished courtesy of Tucson Police