Beyond the Yellow Tape: The Unsolved 2019 Murder of Chongcha Dyer
Chongcha Dyer Was a Successful Businesswoman
💔 Beyond the Yellow Tape: The Unsolved 2019 Murder of Chongcha Dyer
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In the heart of Columbus, Georgia — a city where Southern hospitality meets rich military history — the memory of Chongcha Dyer lingers like the echo of an unanswered question. 👣 A 70-year-old Korean-American businesswoman, grandmother, and beloved community figure, Chongcha's life was brutally taken in 2019, and yet, five years later, her murder remains unsolved. 😢
A Life Built on Grit and Grace 🛠️🌸
Chongcha Dyer was more than just a name on a police report — she was a pillar of resilience. Immigrating from South Korea and eventually calling Columbus home, she poured her energy into building businesses that became cornerstones in their neighborhoods. Among her ventures were Gray’s Bar on South Lumpkin Road and another on Marathon Drive. 🍻
Known for her spicy homemade kimchi 🥬🔥 and infectious smile, Dyer had a heart for hospitality. Friends say she treated everyone like family — a quality that made her establishments feel less like businesses and more like home. 🏡
But that warmth and grit could not shield her from the darkness that came knocking in August 2019.
The Day Everything Changed 🕯️
On what seemed like a normal August day, Dyer called her longtime friend, Chang Washington, to invite her over for homemade kimchi. It was a routine gesture between close friends — one filled with laughter, stories, and comfort food. That call would be the last anyone heard from Chongcha. 📞💔
Later that day, Dyer’s grandson arrived at her house on Luckie Street, a quiet residential road in the Oakland Park neighborhood. What he found was deeply troubling: her belongings were scattered, but there was no sign of her. 🧳🚪
Frantic and confused, he reported her missing. It wasn’t until police arrived and conducted a thorough search that they discovered a locked backyard storage shed. Inside, they found Chongcha Dyer’s body — shot multiple times, her life taken in a place she should have felt safe. 🛑🔒
A City Shaken to Its Core 😮💨
News of the murder spread fast. Columbus, while no stranger to crime, had not seen something quite like this — the targeted, brutal killing of a beloved elderly woman in her own backyard.
“To do something like that to someone like her…” one neighbor said in disbelief. “She was kind. She didn’t deserve this. No one does.” 🗣️
Police launched an investigation, led by Sgt. Sherman Hayes of the Columbus Police Department. But as months turned to years, answers remained elusive. 🕵️♂️⏳
Robbery or Something More? 💰🔍
Investigators believe that robbery may have been the motive. Dyer was known to buy and sell personal items, a side hustle that brought strangers to her property. Additionally, she had recently sold one of her bars, which reportedly netted her a significant amount of cash. 🤑💸
Did someone know about the money? Was this a planned act, or a transaction gone wrong?
“We’re looking at everything,” Sgt. Hayes said in a recent interview. “Nothing is off the table.” 📋
Unfortunately, no suspects have been named, and the case remains cold — but far from forgotten.
A Community in Mourning 🕊️
To this day, family and friends gather in Dyer’s memory, lighting candles, praying, and calling for justice. Her friend Chang Washington remembers the last phone call with heartbreaking clarity.
“She wanted me to come over. She was excited about the kimchi,” Washington said. “I was busy that day. I wish I had gone.” 😔
That guilt — misplaced but powerful — haunts many who knew her. In their eyes, Chongcha was invincible. To see her name associated with such cruelty is still surreal. 😢
The Media Steps In: “Beyond the Yellow Tape” 🎥
In April 2025, WTVM’s Roslyn Giles revived interest in the case through the segment “Beyond the Yellow Tape.” 🎬 The investigative series shines a light on forgotten or stalled homicide cases, with hopes of generating leads.
The feature on Dyer’s case painted a vivid portrait of her life, the tragic circumstances of her death, and the lingering pain in the community.
“She was a fighter. She was smart. She was careful,” Giles said. “But even people like that can become victims. That’s why we have to care.” 💬📰
The renewed spotlight has brought dozens of new tips, though none have led to an arrest — yet.
Calls for Justice 📞⚖️
The Columbus Police Department continues to urge anyone with information to come forward. A reward is being offered, and anonymous tips are welcome.
Sgt. Hayes has been vocal in his appeals to the public: “Someone out there knows something. Maybe it didn’t seem important at the time. Maybe you were scared. But now’s the time to speak up.” 🗣️💡
He can be reached at 706-225-3161 or Shayes@columbusga.org. Tips can also be made through Crimestoppers. 📬📞
Chongcha Dyer Deserves Answers ✊🕯️
When you peel back the headlines and crime scene tape, what you find is a life lost too soon, and a community grappling with the absence of a woman who brought light to everyone she met.
She was more than a business owner. More than a mother. More than a friend.
Chongcha Dyer was a symbol of perseverance, culture, and kindness. And the person who took her life didn’t just steal a future — they robbed an entire community of someone irreplaceable. 🧡
Keeping Her Story Alive 📝✨
Her case is now one of over 200,000 unsolved murders in the United States. Cold cases like Chongcha’s often fall to the wayside, forgotten by the news cycle and buried beneath new tragedies. But for those who knew her, the fight for justice is not over.
Online petitions, memory pages, and local vigils continue to breathe life into her story. Each candle lit is a beacon of hope, each story told a call to action. 🕯️💻
And that’s the true power of remembrance — it keeps the pressure on. It holds the system accountable. It gives victims a voice, even when they can no longer speak.
Final Thoughts: A Case That Can Still Be Solved 🔍🧠
Cold doesn’t mean dead. 🧊 A case can be reignited with one tip, one name, one forgotten detail. With advancements in forensic science, digital tracing, and public awareness, many cold cases have seen justice — even after decades.
So if you know something — say something. Chongcha Dyer deserves peace. Her family deserves closure. And her killer deserves to be brought to justice. ⚖️📢
Let’s not let her memory fade into silence.
Let’s turn the cold case into a closed case. 🔒✅
🧾 Summary
Victim: Chongcha Dyer, 70, beloved businesswoman in Columbus, GA
Murder Date: August 2019
Location: Luckie Street, Oakland Park neighborhood
Discovery: Body found in a locked backyard shed, shot multiple times
Possible Motive: Robbery (had recently sold bar for large sum)
Current Status: Unsolved; reward offered
Contact: Sgt. Sherman Hayes (706-225-3161 or Shayes@columbusga.org)
🔗 Resources & Support
WTVM’s Full Segment: Beyond the Yellow Tape – Chongcha Dyer Case
Columbus CrimeStoppers: Anonymous tip line available
Georgia Cold Case Advocacy Groups: Offering support and assistance to families
🙏 Rest in peace, Chongcha. You are not forgotten. 🕊️