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It’s been more than six years since a Lee County family had to say its final good-byes to a son, a brother and an uncle whose life was taken at the hands of gun violence. But despite the time that’s passed, they’re hopeful that someone will finally step up and speak out about who took the life of 41-year-old Randolph Buchanan. Buchanan was known to his friends and family as Beechnut.

Buchanan was found shot to death on Sparta Avenue in Lehigh Acres on April 17, 2018. Shortly after his murder, Buchanan’s car was found engulfed in flames in Hendry County. Detectives have long had two suspects on their radar — two men from the Immokalee community. Both men, they say, are believed to have been burned during the arson of Buchanan’s car. Detectives are seeking additional information to substantiate those beliefs. Detectives and family members hope someone will come forward and share what they know so that Buchanan’s killer or killers can finally face justice.

“Randolph was the root of our family tree,” said Latasha Spears, Buchanan’s sister. “He kept us grounded and in control. He was always the problem solver – the person you could trust with your darkest secrets. If he made a promise, he was sure to keep his word. No matter the situation, he always found a way forward. He was consistently calm, happy and dedicated to providing for his family.”

Since Buchanan’s murder, Spears says her family has struggled to recover.

“His death has affected us tremendously, as he is no longer just a phone call away. We lost the person who kept us on track and encouraged us to keep striving, no matter how hard things got. His passing has made us wary of trusting anyone, even those we consider friends. He was our protector, and they took someone so dear from us,” Spears said.

Although six-plus years have passed, it’s never too late to speak up and share information about Buchanan’s murder. Crime Stoppers is here 24/7 to take anonymous tips at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477), online at southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or on the P3 Tips app. All tipsters will remain 100 percent anonymous, and any tips that lead to an arrest in this case will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.