In Loving Memory of Donovan Moody Grand Rapids, Michigan — November 2025
The city of Grand Rapids is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 26-year-old Donovan Moody, whose life was tragically taken on the night of November 6, 2025. Around 8:30 p.m., Donovan was found lying in the roadway on Hollister Avenue, just north of Wealthy Street. Responding officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department discovered that he had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. By Friday morning, the Kent County Medical Examiner confirmed what many feared: Donovan’s death was the result of homicide.
This tragedy has left a deep wound in the hearts of Donovan’s family, friends, and the community. What should have been an ordinary Thursday evening instead became a moment of unimaginable sorrow — a moment that changed lives forever. GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom shared what many are feeling: “A very depressing scene to show up on at 9 o’clock at night and not something that the city of Grand Rapids wants to see in 2025. We’re really experiencing historic lows in crime, but that’s going to be no comfort at all to this family, which is going to be devastated.”
Donovan was far more than a headline or a statistic. He was a son, a brother, a cousin, a friend — a person whose presence mattered deeply to those who loved him. Those who knew Donovan speak of his warmth, his humor, and the way he could make others feel seen and valued. He had a naturally kind spirit and carried himself with quiet resilience. Whether sharing laughter with friends, offering a helping hand, or simply showing up when someone needed support, Donovan brought light into the spaces he entered.
At just 26 years old, he was still building his life. He had dreams, possibilities, and plans for the future — a future that was taken from him far too soon. The suddenness of his passing leaves a heaviness that words can hardly capture. The pain felt by his loved ones is profound, and the shock is still settling in as they try to understand a world without him in it.
Communities are shaped by the people who live in them — by the love, memories, and connections they share. Donovan’s loss is felt not only in the hearts of those closest to him but also across Grand Rapids. This tragedy reminds us how fragile life is, how quickly everything can change, and how important it is to cherish every moment with the people we care about.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains not only on seeking justice, but also on honoring who Donovan was. His life deserves to be remembered for the joy he brought, the care he showed, and the legacy of love he leaves behind.
To his family, we hold space for your grief and extend compassion, strength, and solidarity.
To his friends, may the memories you shared help carry you through the difficult days ahead.
To the community, may we come together — not only in sorrow, but in commitment to preventing further loss.
May Donovan Moody rest in eternal peace. Gone far too soon, but remembered always.
His love remains. His story continues. His memory will endure.
