On Tuesday evening, July 15, 2003, a resident of the apartment building at 3535 Monroe Avenue discovered the victim, Mr. Kauko Aho, 42, collapsed in the front lobby of the apartment building with Ahos bicycle on the ground nearby. Aho was suffering from a deep stab wound to the chest, a slashing wound to the right arm, and was bleeding profusely. Police and paramedics were summoned, and Aho was taken to the hospital where he lingered unconscious for a week before dying.

An investigation revealed Aho had been out riding his bicycle earlier on the evening of the incident. Aho was apparently stabbed somewhere in the vicinity of 4500 35th Street by an unknown suspect or suspects. After suffering the injury, Aho rode his bicycle home and collapsed.