According to officials, the man accused of killing the renowned musician Peter Forrest in the back of an ambulette in a secluded area of the Bronx is a 29-year-old ex-convict who was recently released from prison.
According to law enforcement sources and state prison records, the individual responsible for the crime spent four years in state prison after being convicted for a carjacking incident in the Bronx in 2017. Eventually, they pleaded guilty to the charges.
On June 26, 2017, Bodden and two accomplices hailed a livery cab from the intersection of 174th St. and Jerome Ave in Morris Heights. During the ride, one of the men forcefully restrained the driver by placing him in a chokehold and forcibly removed him from the car. They swiftly fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. However, law enforcement promptly apprehended the perpetrators, as per the sources.
After Bodden’s release in July 2024, the judge deemed him a “violent offender” and mandated the use of an ankle monitor.
The monitor ultimately guided law enforcement officers to Bodden as a suspect in connection with Forrest’s death. After identifying Bodden as the culprit, investigators traced his ankle monitor to a specific location on Staten Island, where they apprehended him. According to the criminal complaint, police discovered 76 capsules of suspected crack divided into two bags, as well as additional alleged crack in a third bag, in his possession.
According to law enforcement sources, Bodden has been arrested for multiple offenses, including reckless endangerment and turnstile jumping.
Forrest, also known as P. Fluid from the South Bronx band 24-7 Spyz, was found unconscious in a pool of blood inside an ambulette. The vehicle was parked at the intersection of Castle Hill Ave. and Hart St., near Westchester Creek and Castle Hill Park, as reported by the police.
A colleague from Marquis Ambulette grew worried when Forrest failed to make several scheduled pickups and didn’t respond to phone calls.
When the co-worker located the ambulette using its GPS, he discovered a broken window and Forrest’s lifeless body in the back.
A man was captured on video surveillance exiting the driver’s side door of the ambulette at around 8:45 a.m. He quickly got into a waiting car, which immediately fled the scene.
Forrest’s lifeless body was found approximately half an hour later.
Jean Bodden, 54, expressed to the Daily News on Saturday night that her son is not a killer.
“I don’t believe the accusations,” she stated firmly. “In my view, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. That’s not the kind of person he is.”
According to the mother, her son recently returned home after being in jail and was actively searching for employment. He had been living with his girlfriend, but the mother had been keeping in touch with him.
In regards to Forrest, she expressed her deep sadness and extended her sympathy and condolences to the grieving family.
Bodden’s mother claimed to be unaware of the drugs allegedly discovered on him.
In the 1980s and ’90s, Forrest gained recognition as a member of the band 24-7 Spyz. Their unique blend of metal, hardcore, punk, and funk captivated audiences and propelled Forrest to fame. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Black Rock Coalition. Chiedza Makonnen, Forrest’s former long-time girlfriend, fondly referred to him as her “first love.”
“Makonnen expressed that music was the very essence of his existence, and he dedicated himself to promoting Black rock. He had an unwavering passion for this cause, and played a significant role in enlightening people about the fact that Black musicians are not limited to the genres of rap, R&B, or soul. Makonnen firmly believed that Black artists could also excel in the realm of rock music.”
After his departure from 24-7 Spyz, Forrest went on to create P. Fluid and the P. Fluid Foundation. He later reunited with 24-7 Spyz for a brief period before establishing a new band named BlkVampires, where he performed under the moniker Forrest Thinner. In 2015, the band released a powerful track titled “Eric Garner.”
Forrest embarked on his first solo venture with BlkVampiresX, marking the culmination of his musical career.
The workers at Marquis Ambulette chose not to provide any comments regarding Forrest’s murder.
