Baltimore Jazz Musician and Towson University Instructor John Dierker Dies at 62 After Nov. 10 Attack on Leakin Park Trail
John Dierker, 62, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, on a bicycle trail in Baltimore’s Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park.
Police responded shortly before 4 p.m. to a reported cutting in the 4200 block of North Franklintown Road and found Dierker near a bicycle with multiple stab wounds.
Authorities pronounced Dierker dead at the scene.
As of Thursday, Nov. 12, police had announced no arrest or suspect, and detectives had not disclosed a possible motive or whether they believed the attack was targeted.
An accomplished improviser, Dierker played saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet and helped shape Baltimore’s creative music scene for decades.
Dierker performed with Lafayette Gilchrist’s The New Volcanoes, Microkingdom, Quartet Offensive and Lubbock, and collaborated with Peter Zummo, Jad Fair, Michael Formanek and Marty Ehrlich.
Towson University said Dierker had taught in its Department of Music since 2009 and offered support to those affected by the loss.
The death near the Winans Meadow trailhead has concerned park visitors; police ask anyone with information to call 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
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