More than 40 years after a young man was brutally killed in Wilmington’s Bellefonte neighborhood, investigators continue working to solve the cold case murder that has haunted the community since 1982.
Twenty-four-year-old Delena “Dale” Gassaway was found dead from numerous stab wounds on April 16, 1982, inside an apartment belonging to his former romantic partner on the 1200 block of Kynlyn Drive.
The violent crime occurred in the Bellefonte area of Wilmington, leaving investigators with a case that has remained open for decades despite ongoing efforts to identify those responsible for Gassaway’s death.
Police discovered the victim had suffered multiple knife wounds in what appeared to be a targeted attack at the residence where his ex-girlfriend lived.
The case represents one of numerous unsolved homicides from the early 1980s that law enforcement continues to pursue using modern investigative techniques and technology not available at the time of the original investigation.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about Gassaway’s murder to contact investigators, as even decades-old tips could prove crucial in finally bringing closure to this long-standing case.
