Jaylen Griffin: Missing boy's body wasn't the first to be found at Buffalo home with over 160 complaints
BUFFALO, NEW YORK: The address where a missing 12-year-old Buffalo boy's body was discovered has been the subject of numerous complaints over the years.
Since 2007, more than 160 complaints have been reported to the police.
To provide context, Jaylen Griffin, 12, was last seen walking his puppy near his Warren Avenue home on August 4, 2020. His disappearance was reported two days later.
Three and a half years later, a maintenance man found the young boy's body in the attic of a multi-unit building at 107 Sheffield Avenue, around five miles from his home.
Several deceased individuals have been found at the South Buffalo home before Jaylen Griffin's body was discovered
The complaints, numbering over 160, have encompassed issues such as domestic violence, fire incidents, mental health concerns, and the discovery of deceased individuals, as per News 4.
During a welfare check in June 2020, police found a body at the multi-unit house, according to Buffalo police records. Another call in September 2022 led to an arrest.
Nearly a year later, in August 2023, another body was discovered in the yard of the house.
On April 12, the nearly four-year search for Griffin ended when he was found dead in the attic of 107 Sheffield Avenue.
Neighbors mentioned they've seen different people living at the property over the years.
Community eagerly awaits answers regarding Jaylen Griffin's death
Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC ministries, who has a close connection with the Griffin family, informed that his search team had previously canvassed the South Buffalo neighborhood where Griffin was found last year.
"The search for ‘Where’s Jaylen Griffin?’ has come to a close. But now the search is ‘What happened to Jaylen Griffin?’ Who would do something like this to a 12-year-old boy?" stated Newkirk.
He further noted, "How did he end up here? Was he moved? The questions are still remaining. How long was he dead? How long was he deceased? Was he found in something that was locked and had to be opened? And did a certain aroma come out that would be a major complaint to this community?"
"This looks like the type of community where if anything is taking place somebody will report it, or say something," remarked the pastor.
Griffin’s mother, Joann Ponzo, sadly died in September 2023 and will never know that her son had been found. Moreover, shortly after Griffin went missing, his brother was shot and killed, as per News4.