Justice Delayed: Riviera Beach (33404) Homicide Solved After Six Years – URGENT

Riviera Beach (33404) – In a breakthrough development that brings cold-case scrutiny into sharp focus, authorities have arrested a suspect six years after the tragic 2019 murder of Tommy Lee Neal Jr., a 28‑year‑old Riviera Beach resident. Neal was found fatally shot inside his car the morning of January 20, 2019, on the 3600 block of Reese Avenue in the industrial district near West Palm Beach. For years, the case remained cold—until Palm Beach County Sheriff’s detectives re-opened the investigation using modern digital forensics and DNA analysis.

On July 25, 2025, deputies arrested Derian Williams, who had long been considered a person of interest. Investigators say Williams’ cellphone records placed him with the victim before the murder, and DNA recovered from a soda bottle inside Neal’s vehicle was matched to Williams. Williams reportedly admitted he was in the car but denied involvement in the shooting, despite forensic and digital evidence suggesting otherwise. Authorities credit tireless detective work and advances in technology—not least the ability to revisit old evidence—for finally securing an arrest in the case. The suspect is now being held on a charge of first‑degree murder at Palm Beach County Jail, offering a measure of relief to a family long waiting for answers.

Key Facts

• BREAKING: Suspect arrested in Riviera Beach murder from 2019

• IMPACT: Family of 28‑year‑old victim gains long-awaited closure

• OFFICIAL SOURCE: “DNA linking Williams to the crime…” – PBSO statement

• ACTION: Anyone with info urged to contact Sheriff’s tip line

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   Riviera Beach (33404) – 3600 block of Reese Avenue, near industrial West Palm Beach border

2. Community Connection:
   “It’s a miracle they finally caught him after all these years.” – Marsha Neal, victim’s sister

The Neal family first raised the alarm in early 2019 when Tommy failed to return home. Deputies discovered his body the next day in his car, and initial leads stalled under the weight of limited evidence. The case remained untouched until late 2023, when a cold-case detective reassigned himself to the file and began combing through digital data. According to Sheriff’s Office reports, Google search data retrieved via warrant showed Williams searching the term “man found dead in car yesterday” two days after the murder—an eerie coincidence investigators say cannot be ignored. DNA from a soda bottle inside Neal’s car, combined with call logs placing Williams with the victim just before the shooting, sealed the case. Though Williams admitted to being present that night, he has consistently denied firing the fatal shot. The arrest prompted mixed feelings in the community—relief for some, frustration that justice was delayed—but most are welcoming the clarity. Local leaders reiterated their commitment to cold-case investigations and preventative policing, stressing that no homicide will be forgotten “no matter how old.”

Exclusive Angle

• WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
  Spotlight on how technological advances and digital forensics are unearthing justice in cold cases across South Florida.

Update Log

• July 25, 2025 1:06 PM EDT: Derian Williams arrested in 2019 Riviera Beach homicide

• July 25, 2025 2:30 PM EDT: PBSO confirms DNA and digital search links Williams to case

While no amount of time can return a lost life, this arrest brings a long-awaited sense of resolution—and a signal that even cold cases left dormant may still find justice.