The city’s most recent murder victims were suffocated

YOUNGSTOWN — Police continue to look or suspects and the family is looking for answers in a double murder here earlier this week.

Grieving family members say the two young men found in a burning rental car near the Mahoning River Tuesday were “inseparable” first cousins.

Jaron L. Roland, 20, of Fairmont Avenue and Darry B. Woods-Burt Jr., 19, of the city’s North Side, were found inside the burning car on West Avenue. Both men were bound with duct tape and had a bag placed over his head.

Tommiesina Johnson, an aunt to both men, said the family believes the murders were a “setup.” According to Johnson, Woods-Burt received a phone call prior to his death and left his North Side home to meet with a friend. A short time later Roland realized his cousin had been gone longer than expected and drove away in the black rental car to find him.

“That was the last we heard from either of them,” said Johnson. “I can’t put into words how my sister feels. Darry was her only son. You just can’t put that into words. My other sister feels the same way. We are just trying to keep them comfortable.”

Court and police records show that Roland had pleaded guilty to improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and was sentenced to three years probation in January 2008. Woods-Burt had a capias in October 2008 in Youngstown for possession of drugs. Still, the family is hoping to see whoever is responsible for their deaths brought to justice.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Vindicator or vindy.com