A Gwinnett County judge handed 34-years-old Dametris Bush, a Gangster Disciple street gang member a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 29-years-old Andre Jones Jr. A jury found Bush guilty and convicted him of felony murder, malice murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of unlawful criminal gang activity, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“There is no place for violent gang activity in our communities. We are grateful to the jury for reaffirming our commitment to end gang violence in the Gwinnett Judicial District, and we hope that these verdicts and this sentence provide justice to Mr. Jones’ family and loved ones,” said Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson, according to a Gwinnett County media outlet.

On June 17, 2025, officers responded to the Horizon Inn and Suites, off Dawson Boulevard in Norcross,  after reports of a shooting.  Upon arrival, investigators retrieved a surveillance camera in the area that showed the defendant fatally shoot Jones twice, striking him in the chest and hitting a bystander in the leg.

According to prosecutors, Bush and two co-defendants had cased the location several hours before the fatal incident. After shooting Jones, the defendant and a co-defendant fled the scene on foot before jumping into a getaway car. Later, authorities identified the perpetrators after a license plate reader captured the getaway vehicle's license plate number.

Authorities tagged the killing as “Death for Disrespect,” after they learned the shooting was a result of the victim being accused of stealing a gun from another member of the gang. Investigators later found out the victim never stole a gun and was not gang-affiliated, but was stolen by another man at the Horizon Inn.  

Jones’ mother, Gerrica Wilson, forgave Bush for the killing and extended support to the defendant contingent upon his being remorseful.

“I have to forgive him. And I do and will,” she said. “But when he’s ready to take accountability and willing to really apologize, I told him, then I will support you,” said Wilson, reported WSB-TV.

Jones was sentenced to an additional 40 years in prison.

A Hillsborough County Circuit Judge, Robin Fuson, handed 72-year-old Debra Patton a life sentence in prison for the shooting death of Karen Pais. Patton was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder with a firearm and abuse of a dead human body.

Patton, who laughed as her sentence was handed down, claimed she was innocent and told the court she would fight the conviction.

“You say you stand here blameless. Nobody else agrees with you. And I certainly don’t. The jury certainly [didn’t]. You will be judged someday. If you’re a God-fearing person, then you should fear God at this time. When I watched the video and saw you just calmly take the shovel and walk back into the house to bury your sister's body, it's unfathomable,” said Fuson, according to Oxygen True Crime.

In May 2021, officers arrested the defendant (then 67 years old) after they responded to the Carrollwood-area home of the victim, after her friends reported her missing. Coincidentally, a sheriff’s deputy lived next door and caught the victim working in her yard on May 24, 2021. The surveillance camera showed Pais entering her garage, and she was never seen again. In addition, Patton was captured getting a shovel in the garage.

Upon a search of the premises, investigators later found Pais’ body in a shallow, freshly dug pit in the backyard. An autopsy report showed the victim suffered a gunshot wound in the chest.

Prior to the fatal incident, Pais, who was a retired Verizon engineer, had allowed Patton to live with her rent-free, but over time, the relationship between the siblings had become estranged. As a result, the victim had told friends that if anything happened to her, they should know that Patton did it. 

For months before her death, Karen said, 'If something happens to me, tell them it was my sister, she is going to kill me. What else could we have done as friends to save our friend's life?" said one of the victim’s friends, Jan, during the sentencing hearing, reported WTSP.

Initially, the case was delayed because Patton was declared legally incompetent to stand trial. However, she was later declared competent in January.

A York County Superior Court Justice Richard Mulhern handed 26-year-old Matthew Cote two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Cheryl Cote, 47, and Daniel Perkins, 45. 

Though Cote pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, the jury convicted the defendant of two counts of intentional or knowing murder and one count of arson.

"Once I snapped, I couldn't stop," said Cote to investigators, according to 13 WGME.

On June 17, 2021, officers and the fire department responded to a home ablaze on Hardscrabble Road, where the couple shared with Cote. After the fire was put out, authorities found Cheryl Cote and Perkins’ bodies inside the charred residence. According to prosecutors, Cote shot both victims with a semi-automatic rifle before setting the house on fire.

Later, the defendant admitted to the killings, but the motive remains unclear.

Cote’s defense lawyer argued his client had suffered a traumatic background and upbringing with a serious mental illness. In addition, the Cote’s family also told the court that the defendant was diagnosed with schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder before his 16th birthday.

During the sentencing hearing, Cote apologized to his family and the Perkins family.

"Every day, I grieve my father, who was murdered by Matthew Cote. While I grieve, I do my best to remember the best parts of our time together," said Hannah Perkins, Daniel Perkins' daughter, reported WMTW.

The judge sentenced Cote to an additional 30 years in prison for the arson charge and ordered him to pay $3,348 in restitution.

A Spalding County judge sentenced 20-year-old Kaomarion Kendrick to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 14-year-old Emmanuel Dorsey. Kendrick was convicted and found guilty by a jury of one count of felony murder and three counts of violating the RICO Act.

“I am incredibly proud of our office for bringing justice to this defendant and perhaps some degree of closure and comfort for Mr. Dorsey’s family. My personal message is that my office will relentlessly pursue those who commit violent crimes in our community and will bring them to justice,” said Acting District Attorney David Studdard, according to WSB-TV.

On September 30, 2023, officers responded to a rival game between Griffin and Spalding high schools after a brawl erupted between two groups. During the chaos, the defendant, who was 17 at the time, fired a gun into the crowd as people scrambled for safety, hitting Dorsey in the neck and face.

According to investigators, both Kendrick and Dorsey were Griffin High School students and were not gang members. However, on that fateful day, both boys hung out with two rival gangs at the game. The defendant fled the scene, but authorities tracked him down to the driveway of a house in Henry County eight days later.

During Kendrick’s arrest by authorities, the defendant smirked at the cameras before being taken away by a Spalding County sheriff’s squad car. Officers found in his possession a Glock that was modified with a full-auto switch.

Though the victim’s mother was thankful for the verdict, she still showed compassion towards Kendrick.

“My heart just goes out to (Kendrick) because he messed up his entire life by not thinking about what he was doing at the time. He’s so young and don’t have no one there for him. Of course, I think about my child, I love my child. But I think about kids and what happens to them. It’s best to get people like that off the street,” said Dorsey’s mother Charlotte Williams, reported New York Post.

The judge sentenced Kendrick to an additional 85 years in prison.

51-year-old Serafini was sentenced by a Placer Superior Court Judge Garen Horst to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his father-in-law, 70-year-old Gary Spohr, and attempted murder of his mother-in-law, 68-year-old Wendy Wood. After a 6-week trial, the defendant was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary.

"The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence," said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire, reported ABC 7 News.

On June 5, 2021, authorities responded to a Homewood residence near Lake Tahoe, California, after a burglary that led to the demise of Serafini’s father-in-law, who was struck with a single shot to the head. Woods was also shot but survived the ordeal. However, she died a year later after extensive rehabilitation.

According to prosecutors, the defendant hated his in-laws and was often heard offering a $20,000 rewards for anyone who would murder them. During the trial, prosecutors submitted email and text correspondence between Serafini and his in-laws that showed the disdain he had for them, especially the dispute over a $1.3 million loan from his in-laws to help fund his wife’s fledgling horse ranch business

The couple’s daughter, Adrienne Spohr, told the judge the defendant had made multiple requests for more money before the fatal incident. Serafini’s wife, Erin Spohr, also testified that her parents forced the defendant to sign a post-nuptial agreement a year after the wedding.

“Daniel is true evil. I’m left with the lasting image of my dad shot in the back of the head and my mom lying on her back bleeding out,” she said. “Dan destroyed the lives of my parents and all four of their children, said Adrienne Spohr during the victim impact statement, reported The Sacramento Bee.

In a rebuttal, Serafini’s defense lawyer argued that the prosecutors did not have any physical evidence tying their client to the crime and argued his client had no motive to kill his wife’s parents. Serafini claimed he was with his wife at a party when the burglary took place.

The defendant filed several motions for a retrial, but was denied.

Serafini was the 26th overall first-round pick for the Minnesota Twins in 1992. The left-handed pitcher played in the MLB for 7 seasons.

Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan handed Hagen Lawrence Roberts, 41, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 63-year-old Cynthia Capps. After a three-day trial, Lawrence was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and stabbing in the commission of a felony.

According to the City of Virginia Beach, on Oct. 8, 2020, Capp’s husband had taken a shower and discovered that his wife was missing. He called 911 after searching for her in their home in Green Cedar Lane in the City of Virginia Beach and discovering a single drop of blood in the kitchen. Upon arrival, investigators learned that the couple had rented a room to the defendant. They tried to reach Roberts but found his door locked.

Soon, officers breached entry into the room where they found the defendant appearing to have just taken a shower and lying on the bed with a bandana wrapped around a cut on his right hand. Upon further search of the premises, authorities found bloodstains in the backyard where they found Capps’ body in a toolbox.

An autopsy report showed the victim was stabbed about 90 times with trauma to her head, face, and neck. A metal shard, which was the broken tip of a pocket knife, was also retrieved from her skull. It was a match for the black folding knife with a broken tip and dried blood found during the search of Roberts’ room. In addition, both the defendant's and Capps’ DNA were on the murder weapon and the defendant’s discarded clothes, reported 13 News Now.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Mahan sentenced Roberts to an additional 5 years in prison.

A Broward County judge handed 31-year-old Sakiyna Thompson a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson. After an hour of deliberation, Thompson was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

“Being violated in your own home, in the sanctity of your own home, is a scary thing. What’s even scarier is being attacked, being brutally murdered in your own home, and that person getting away with it,” said Assistant State Prosecutor Tonya Johnson, according to People.  

On July 13, 2022, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Tamarac apartment in South Florida after reports of an unresponsive woman. Upon arrival, officers found Hodgson dead at the scene with stab wounds. According to prosecutors, the defendant, who was pregnant at the time of the murder, had been blocked on social media by Hodgson, who was dating Thompson’s ex-boyfriend.

Enraged, the defendant boarded a flight from New York to Florida, used a fake Uber account while disguised with a wide hat and a COVID-19 mask, and arrived at the victim’s apartment around 5 am, before stabbing her to death.

Three weeks later, New York authorities arrested Thompson and extradited her to Florida to face trial.

 During the trial, prosecutors submitted flight records and cell phone data that tied Thompson to the crime scene, in addition to bodycam videos that showed the brutality of the attack. Initially, the defendant said she couldn’t recall committing the homicide because she blacked out, but later admitted to the killing, attempting to clean up the crime scene, and changing into Hodgson’s clothes before she fled the scene.

"How about the audacity of you to come up on this stand and waste taxpayer dollars and tell them a crock of garbage to everyone about your blackout reasoning," said a member of Hodgson's family, during the victim’s impact statement, reported 6 South Florida.

Thompson’s defense team argued self-defense, that Hodgson had struck first by striking the defendant on the head and slashing her stomach. They claimed the killing happened in an attempt to save Thompson and the life of her unborn child.

The jury didn’t believe it.

It’s been almost a decade since the Henderson County Sheriff's Office responded to a home along the 20000 Block of Woodridge West after reports of a double homicide. Upon arrival, they found 47-year-old Gabriel McBride and his daughter, 17-year-old Beverly McBride, dead at the scene. Both victims had suffered gunshot wounds.

Despite several manhours and interviews conducted during the investigation, the case stalled and became cold after all leads had been exhausted. However, in 2021, a tip blew the case wide open that identified 25-year-old Lance Kaeden Rains as the killer.

According to the informant, who was a friend of the defendant, investigators were told that on Dec. 10, 2018, Beverly McBride had been sitting on the couch next to Rains when she was shot to death, reported CBS 19. That information was never made public by the authorities. In addition, the informant told investigators that the gun used in the homicide belonged to Rains’ grandfather and described it as a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver.

Later, Rains’ grandfather told investigators that they gave the defendant the gun as a birthday gift in 2021. Furthermore, ballistics tests revealed that the revolver was the gun used to commit the double homicide.

On January 10, Rains was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder.

"This breakthrough is the result of persistent investigative efforts, detailed forensic analysis, and the cooperation of multiple agencies. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and their families — no matter how much time has passed," stated a press release, reported by AOL.

Investigators believed the motive for the killing was a botched robbery. At the time of the fatal incident, Rains had been buying marijuana from Gabriel McBride and had gone to the residence with the intent to rob the victim.

After being confronted with insurmountable evidence, Rains admitted to the murders. The defendant was a neighbor of the victims and grew up with Beverly since they were kids.

The defendant has been held in custody on a $2 million bond.

Central Criminal Court Justice Paul McDermott handed down a life sentence to 32-year-old Tegan McGhee for the abuse and beating death of 4-year-old Mason O'Connell Conway. McGhee initially pleaded not guilty, but after prosecutors disclosed overwhelming medical evidence during her trial. She changed her plea to guilty, according to RTE.

On March 13, 2021, first responders rushed Mason to the hospital after his father, McGhee’s co-defendant, John Paul O'Connell, reported the child had fallen from a bunk bed. However, hospital officials were alarmed after they discovered Mason was covered in bruises from head to toe, his ribs broken, liver lacerated, and suffering from severe brain injury.

Mason succumbed to his injuries after his life support was turned off three days later.  

Later authorities discovered the victim had been subjected to weeks of physical abuse after McGhee struck his head off the floor, and beat him with a blunt force object, which led to the boy’s liver being lacerated. During the trial, family members heard how Mason was isolated and kept upstairs while family events such as birthdays took place downstairs. In addition, family members were not allowed to visit, and scheduled video calls by the mother’s family were also denied.

“I’ve never said anything about this before because they weren’t allowed to be named. Not me or any member of my family knew of the horrific things that happened to Mason. He was kept from his family as well as us. We believed he had fallen from a bunk bed, as did everyone else. Although no amount of time can ever compare to the life she stole from Mason. To sit in court and watch her not even show a flicker of emotion speaks volumes - she is evil,” said McGhee’s sister Shannon McGhee, reported Limerick Live.

Mason had been living with his father and McGhee after his mother, Elizabeth Conway, was suffering from mental health issues.

O'Connell pleaded guilty to neglect and impeding the prosecution of the defendant despite being aware she was responsible for his son’s demise. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

A Honolulu judge handed 39-year-old Jamil Hart a life term with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of his mother, 74-year-old Qwendolyn Hara-Hart. Hart was found guilty and convicted by an Oahu jury of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted burglary, and first-degree animal cruelty.

“Today’s sentence reflects our office’s unwavering commitment to protecting the most
vulnerable members of our community and holding violent offenders fully accountable for their
actions. This was a horrific and deeply tragic crime that took the life of a 74-year-old woman in her own home. While no sentence can undo the harm caused, we hope this outcome brings a measure of justice to the victim’s family and reinforces that acts of extreme violence will be met with the most serious consequences under the law,” said Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm, according to KHON2.

On Feb. 23, 2020, Honolulu Police responded to the Waipio Gardens apartment complex on Waihau Street in Mililani after a neighbor called 911 and heard glass shattering from the residence and saw a man hanging from the balcony.

“Looked like he was gonna jump, so I was really concerned. I didn’t really recognize the guy,” said the victim’s neighbor, Brenda Dixon, reported Hawaii News Now.

Upon arrival, they found the victim with traumatic injuries to her head. An autopsy report later showed Hart stabbed his mother multiple times, dragged her to her bedroom, where he stabbed her dog, Yuko, to death.

Later, after the fatal incident, the defendant was arrested while trying to break into a church. Furthermore, a CCTV camera captured Hart leaving his mother’s apartment with a bloody laptop, which was later found in a drainage ditch close to the residence.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Hart agreed not to appeal his case, in exchange for a life sentence to serve a mandatory minimum of 15 years, and the parole board would determine when he comes up for parole eligibility.

Family members described Hara-Hart as a mother who adored the defendant. The victim had reported her son missing a month before the fatal incident.

A Clackamas County Circuit Court judge sentenced 56-year-old William Glen Blake to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his 38-year-old girlfriend, Jennifer Ruth Stuart. Though the defendant initially pleaded not guilty, Blake later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

On Sept. 1, authorities responded to a U.S. Forest Service parcel off Hillockborn Road after reports from a couple on a hunt who saw turkey vultures circling an object that appeared to be human remains. Stuart was identified as the victim, and an autopsy report showed she died from a gunshot wound to the lower left side of her body.

According to KPTV, Stuart was shot on Aug. 14 after the couple engaged in a heated argument. Then, Blake went to a Home Depot store to purchase a large tote, garbage bags, and gloves to dispose of the victim’s body. Surveillance cameras from the Home Depot captured the defendant’s purchase of the tote and his vehicle.

According to prosecutors, the defendant realized the tote could be traced to him and decided to dump her body in the woods.

During a search of the home the couple shared, authorities found the tote Blake had initially used to conceal the body. The defendant later confessed to shooting Stuart and discarding her body during an interview.

“To end being shot, crammed into a plastic container … loaded up like an animal … (and) dumped out like trash … is unfathomable,” said Stuart’s mother, Elizabeth Stuart, during the victim impact statement, reported KGW8.

Blake will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years in prison.

"After over 30 years, justice has finally been served for Stacy, Jacob, and their family. Over the years, 50 different detectives have worked tirelessly to reach this moment. We hope the Falcon and Dewey families find some comfort in knowing we never gave up," said Renton Police Chief Jon Schuldt, according to FOX 13.

It’s been over three decades when Renton Police Department responded to South 55th Street in Renton after reports of an unresponsive mother and a toddler were found in the middle of the street. During the wee hours of Oct. 28, 1994, a Seattle Times newspaper deliverer found the victims and immediately dialled 911.

Upon arrival, authorities found 23-year-old Stacy Falcon-Dewey and her 3-year-old son Jacob with gunshot wounds to their head. Autopsy report by the medical examiner showed Falcon-Dewey suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head and two additional wounds to her left shoulder and arm. In addition, the victim was beaten and raped. Jacob suffered two gunshot wounds to the head, with one at close range. Some neighbors heard a gunshot and a woman screaming around 2 am, but thought it was some teenagers partying.

During the initial investigation, authorities exhausted every lead, and the case went cold until 2002, when they, using advanced DNA technology and swabs taken from Falcon-Dewey, matched the now 55-year-old Jerome Frank Jones. At the time, Jones was serving a 56-year sentence in Kern Valley State Prison for killing another man in 1995.

The defendant was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of first-degree aggravated murder late last year. King County Superior Court Judge Taki Flevaris sentenced Jones to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“Mr. Jones, the court can only say that it hopes that all these years later, that you are not the same person sitting here today and that there is some path to redemption for you, if possible, not withstanding the circumstances that you’re facing,” said Flevaris during the sentencing hearing, reported Kent Reporter.

According to prosecutors, the defendant beat Falcon-Dewey, raped her, shot her toddler to death in her presence, and killed her. Though they linked Jones to the crime years prior, in 2021, investigators discovered Jones’ semen was also on Jacob’s jacket sleeve during the fatal incident.

Prior to the killings, Jones was also convicted of assault after shooting another victim in a 1987 robbery, and while in prison, he was convicted of assaults in 2004 and 2013, and felony possession of a weapon in 2016.

Falcon-Dewey celebrated her 23rd birthday, five days before her demise.

A Fifth Judicial Circuit Court judge handed 38-year-old Kimberley Leonie Mills a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the abuse and torture death of her 10-year-old son, Xavier Williams. Though Mills initially pleaded not guilty, she later pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse, and two counts of child abuse or malicious punishment.

"Our focus has always been justice for this child and accountability for those responsible. I have no doubt she will think of Xavier every waking day and regret the pain and suffering she made him endure while she repeatedly endures her own," said Fifth Judicial Circuit State Bill Gladson, according to FOX 35.

On Feb. 22, 2025, Mills and her co-defendant and boyfriend, Andre Dwayne Walker, 37, took Xavier to the hospital, where doctors admitted the victim for cardiac arrest, then discovered bruises and burns on the boy’s body. As a result, they contacted the Tavares Police Department (TPD), which issued a search warrant for the couple's home. Upon arrival, authorities found a 10-pound weight, which was often dropped on Xavier’s exposed stomach, a copper wire, duct tape, and a 6-ft ladder.

Furthermore, Xavier’s younger brother also told investigators how he was being abused. Then, on March 21, 2025, Xavier succumbed to his injury after being on life support. A month later, the couple was indicted, arrested, and held without bond.

"With profound sorrow, the Tavares Police Department announces the tragic passing of a 10-year-old boy, a victim of unimaginable abuse and neglect at the hands of those who were meant to care for him. This innocent child's life was marked by unspeakable suffering, and his loss has deeply shaken our community and everyone involved in this case,” reported People.

Mills' plea was based on her cooperation with authorities as a state witness to testify against Walker, who is still awaiting trial.

Norfolk Circuit Court Trial Judge Robert B. Rigney sentenced 44-year-old Curtis Gerald Smith to two life terms in prison for the shooting death of 24-year-old Precious Larchae McClendon. Smith was found guilty and convicted of found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.

“Every murder is bad, by definition, but murdering someone who is expected to testify in court against you is one of the most aggravating factors known to the law. Mr. Smith did just that, and he permanently paralyzed another person who happened to be nearby. … My condolences to Ms. McClendon’s family and my continued wishes for healing to the surviving victim,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi, according to 13 News Now.

On Sept. 3, 2023, around 1 am, Norfolk Police responded to the 700 Block of Church Street after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found McClendon’s body with a gunshot wound and another man who was rushed to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. McClendon was declared dead at the scene.

Smith was arrested two days later by the U.S. Marshal and the Norfolk Police Fugitive Task Force.

According to investigators, the defendant had assaulted McClendon two months prior to the fatal incident over an alleged $15 debt the victim owed. At the time, another man had tried to intervene, which led to an exchange of gunfire, with Smith suffering a gunshot wound to his leg. Later, Smith was arrested after he showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound, and McClendon identified him as the man who assaulted her. The defendant was released on bond despite prosecutors' pleas at the time.

As a result, investigators believe the motive for McClendon’s killing was related to the prior shooting after the victim was scheduled to testify against Smith, reported WAVY.

Though the latest witness survived the ordeal, he suffered paralysis and became bedridden. However, the witness was able to identify the defendant as the shooter and testified in court on a portable medical bed.

The judge sentenced Smith to an additional 13 years in prison.

An Adams County judge sentenced 37-year-old Adrian Carracedo-Vega for the stabbing death of 20-year-old girlfriend, Sachely Diaz.  Following a six-day trial, Carracedo-Vega was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

"This was a brutal killing, and the defendant has now been held accountable. Sachely Diaz was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her tragic murder is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence in this community. Today, her family hopefully gets some measure of peace, though the pain of their loss will never go away," said 17th District Attorney Brian Mason, according to CBS News.  

On Dec. 30, 2023, Federal Heights Police responded to the 1700 Block of West 85th Avenue at Tuscan Heights Apartments after a witness found the victim crawling by the apartment dumpsters, soaked in blood and saying "I'm dying, I'm dying." Diaz was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.

An autopsy report showed the victim suffered two stab wounds to her torso in addition to ligature marks around her neck. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Diaz was reported missing by a friend earlier on the same day she was found, after she failed to return from her nail salon appointment. Later, a woman who claimed to be the mother of the defendant’s child told investigators she found the bloody clothes of Carracedo-Vega in her bedroom. Furthermore, the woman told investigators that her roommate’s car was missing after the defendant borrowed it and failed to return it.

The next day, the car was found in Denver with blood smears on the rear fender, strands of black hair pinched in a door handle, and a 27-inch blade with blood over it in the console. The DNA was a match for Diaz.

After the fatal incident, the defendant fled to Mexico, but four months later, he was arrested and extradited back to the U.S. to stand trial.

On Dec.1, 2017, around 7 pm, officers from the Park County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence at 3763 County Road 43 in Bailey after reports of the house on fire. At the time, the 911 dispatcher was told there were people at the residence causing damage, according to the FBI.

Upon the arrival of the fire department and the fire being extinguished, authorities found Long’s burnt remains. Investigators determined an altercation had taken place before the fire started, believing the victim stumbled upon an active burglary before her demise. Witnesses told investigators that Long had left school early to pick up treats at home for a student concert that day. A Beretta handgun, an AK-47-style rifle, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, a green safe, and jade figurines were declared stolen from the residence.

Later, an autopsy report ruled her death a homicide.

Despite a 20-member task force that includes the FBI, authorities have been unable to identify any suspect or the motive for the killing.

"On cold cases, sometimes the assumption is that not much is happening. But it's important to let people know we're meeting regularly on this case and still peeling back the layers that might bring some answers to the family," said Colorado Bureau of Investigation investigator Audrey Simkins, reported USA Today.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that will blow this case wide open and lead to an arrest.

Long was described as a bright senior at Platte Canyon High School who loved acting and starred in “Beauty and the Beast."

Cairns Supreme Court Justice Lincoln Crowley handed 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the brutal stabbing death of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley. After a four-week trial and seven hours of deliberation, Singh was found guilty by a jury of murder.

“It has been a long journey, including the announcement of the reward for information, $1 million—the largest in Queensland’s history. Our thoughts, and I know those of the tight-knit community of Cairns, have always been and will continue to be with Toyah’s family," said Cairns Detective Inspector Sonia Smith, according to Oxygen True Crime.

On Oct. 21, 2018, Cordingley was reported missing around 11 pm after she took her dog for a walk. The victim’s body was found early the next morning at Wangetti Beach by her father, Troy Cordingley.

An autopsy report showed Cordingley suffered several stab wounds to her heart, lung, and kidney, in addition to several defensive wounds to her fingers, hands, and forearm. However, it was the cut to her neck that ultimately was the cause of death.

 By the time investigators established Singh, who was described as a competent and well-respected nurse, as the murder suspect, the defendant had fled to India to avoid prosecution.

Seven years passed before Singh was extradited from India and convicted, in addition to the defendant’s first trial that ended with a hung jury.  

“You left without even saying a proper goodbye to your wife, your parents, your children, demonstrating that your only concern was to save your own skin, regardless of the consequences for your family. Your conduct offers some insight into the selfish and heartless individual you truly are," said Crowley during the sentencing hearing, reported ABC News.

Cordingley was described as someone full of love for everything and an animal lover who cared for rescued dogs.

Singh will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years in prison.

California M-13 gang members Walter Chavez Larin, 26, Edwin Martinez, 28, Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, 30, Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias, 28, and Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias, 27, were found guilty and convicted of three counts of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, and nine counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder.

"The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying (the gang) and putting its depraved members behind bars. Under President Trump, (the gang) can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: we will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims," said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, reported FOX 11.

According to prosecutors, in June 2017, Chavez and other members had been involved in the stabbing death of another member who claimed to be a leader in the gang. The victim was taken to Angeles National Forest, where he was hacked to death with a machete. Four months later, a man who was alleged to be a rival by Corado and Bryan Rosales was lured to his death by two women at the Angeles National Forest. The victim was strangled, beaten with a bat, stabbed, and thrown off a cliff.

In July 2018, another man, alleged to be a rival gang member, was lured to a scenic spot in Malibu Hills. While there, Corado shot the victim in the back of the head, with others taking turns shooting him, before he was thrown down a hill. Six months later, another victim who was mistaken for a rival gang member was shot to death by Martinez.

On Jan. 13, 2019, prosecutors established that Martinez and Chavez had killed a gang member who had violated a gang rule due to his addiction to methamphetamine. The next day, Martinez shot a homeless man to death because he had a tattoo he believed belonged to a rival gang.

“Cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. I’m proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors, which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office Akil Davis, according to the Department of Justice.

"We believe they were both there, and that Mr. Fox was the one who pulled the trigger. We may not get you tomorrow, next week, next month. But keep looking over your shoulder, because you never know when the long arm of the law is going to reach out and touch you," said Alameda County Sheriff’s Detective Pat Smyth, according to FOX2.

On June 13, 1993, officers responded to a residence in Unincorporated Hayward, California, where they found Jackson, who was the father of Fonseca’s 1-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter at the time, shot to death. Though investigators knew about Fonseca and Fox’s relationship at the time, and after going over several evidence and interviewing witnesses, including Fonseca, their case hit a dead end and went cold for 32 years.

Though a witness came forward in 2014 to testify about the involvement of the defendants, in October, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson made the decision to reopen the case after investigators had more collaborating witnesses who testified that the former couple was responsible for the murder. Authorities are not releasing any information since the case is still ongoing. Hence, the motive for the killing remains unclear.

"This is a good example of what happens when good people have the courage to come forward and tell law enforcement what they know," said Smyth, reported MSN.

Fonseca was arrested in New York, while Fox was arrested in Sioux, Iowa, and both are waiting to be extradited to California to face trial.

“We restored this young girl’s memory. We restored a shattered truth,” said Daviet’s family lawyer Clotilde Lepetit, after the verdict, according to CNN.

A French judge handed 27-year-old Dahbia Benkired a life term in prison for the brutal murder of Lola Daviet. In October 2022, French authorities found Daviet’s body mutilated in a truck within the premises where her father and mother worked as caretakers in Paris. Hours before the body was discovered, the victim had been declared missing.

Upon further investigation, detectives retrieved CCTV footage from a camera near the apartment that showed the victim being escorted by Benkired into the building, where her sister is also a resident. Two hours later, the defendant was seen leaving the building alone, but this time carrying a heavy trunk.

The killing sparked outrage in the French communities and reignited a stricter immigration law since Benkired was already scheduled to be deported after her student visa expired.

An autopsy report showed Daviet’s cause of death was ruled as cardiorespiratory failure with signs of asphyxiation and cervical compression. During the defendant’s interview, she told investigators she forced the 12-year-old to take a shower before assaulting her sexually and ultimately killing her.

Benkired apologized for her actions, while prosecutors requested that the judge sentence the defendant to life without the possibility of parole. In addition, psychiatric experts also testified that the defendant had psychopathic tendencies with no curable mental health issue.

“The sentence must reflect the extreme gravity of the crimes committed, their cruelty, and the suffering they caused her family,” said the prosecutor, according to Le Monde.

Instead, Benkired will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

An Onondaga County judge sentenced Lashaun Dixon, Donnell Thornton, and Jamel Weston to life in prison without the possibility of parole. All three defendants were found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

In August 2022, authorities responded to an apartment at 3101 Burnet Avenue, where they found the bodies of 32-year-old Alexis Stellin and 46-year-old Jamie Crawford. The couple had suffered multiple gunshots and were declared dead at the scene. At the time of the murder, the victim’s child, who is blind and non-verbal, lay helplessly in another room for days, according to FingerLakes1.com.

The three defendants were connected to the double homicide based on circumstantial evidence using cellphone data and surveillance footage. Though Weston was arrested in September, both Dixon and Thornton were arrested a month later.

The motive for the killings remains unclear.

During the sentencing hearing, family members expressed anger and grief in a packed courtroom.

"It left a big hole in my heart; I've been struggling for the last three years. I wake up every day with a headache. I haven't been able to eat for two years. I lost 40 pounds. I almost committed suicide," said Crawford’s mother, Michelle Henderson, during the victim impact statement, reported CNY Central.

Though Weston and Dixon refused to address the court, Dixon claimed he was innocent of the crime and didn’t get a fair trial.

All three defendants informed the court that they plan to appeal their convictions.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta sentenced 55-year-old Libby Adame to 15 years to life in prison for the death of 59-year-old Cindyana Santangelo. After a day of deliberation, Adame was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without a certification, according to People.

In March, the defendant injected silicone into the Hollywood actress who had featured in Married ... With Children, ER, and CSI: Miami, in Santangelo’s buttocks. Soon, the victim experienced difficulty breathing as a result of a lack of oxygen in her lungs. This was due to the silicone oil, which had been transported from the injection site in her buttocks through her bloodstream. The fatal incident took place at the actress’s home in Malibu.

During the trial, Adame’s defense team claimed the botched procedure was carried out by someone else. However, in rebuttal, prosecutors presented the jury with correspondence between the two women as the defendant made arrangements to come and perform the procedure.

Additionally, Adame was a known entity to the Justice Department and law enforcement agencies. In 2019, the defendant and her daughter, Alicia Galaz, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter after she injected another woman, Karissa Rajpaul, 26, with silicone. As a result, Rajpul developed Embolism and died.

In 2024, Adame was sentenced to three years in prison and released due to time served.

Santangelo was described as a wife and mother at the time of her demise.

'We've had our whole lives turned upside down. I'll never have my best friend or wife again," said the victim’s husband, Frank Santangelo, reported Eye Witness News.

Adame’s defense lawyer filed a motion for a new trial, but the judge denied it.

A Franklin County judge handed 39-year-old Brian Sias a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his roommate, 29-year-old William Applegate. Sias was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of murder and one count of felonious assault, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office.

On May 16, 2024, officers responded to the 1200 block of Manchester Avenue in North Linden after reports of a dispute at the residence. However, before authorities arrived, the dispatcher informed them that a shooting had taken place.

Upon arrival, officers found the defendant in front of the home with a gun in the pocket of his sweatshirt. Applegate was found inside the home suffering from a gunshot wound. However, despite life-saving measures by first responders, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

Sias was arrested and held on a $500,000 bond.

According to prosecutors, the dispute between the two men ensued after Applegate was asked to move out, which led to a physical altercation. A witness at the scene claimed the defendant hit Applegate in the head, then shot the victim while he lay on the ground, reported WBNS.

During the trial, Sias argued he shot his roommate in self-defense.

The jury didn’t believe him.

Sias will be eligible for parole after serving 21 years. 

On July 3, 2018, the Lakeland Police Department responded to the home of Rex Honors III, which he shared with his younger brother, 14-year-old Rex “Stuffy” Honors IV, after Honors III reported his brother missing. Upon arrival, officers searched the premises and found the body of the teenager in the backyard of the resident with a gunshot wound to the head.

Though authorities suspected Honors III, who was 21 at the time, from the beginning, they hit a dead end, and the case went cold. However, in May, retired Sworn Officer Gary Gross, a veteran of the LPD with 32 years of experience, reopened the case as a civilian investigator.

Initially, the defendant told investigators that he had returned home to find a broken table and that the sliding door was open. Honors III claimed a burglary took place, and he had no guns in the house. However, Gross and another sworn officer pored through 72,000 pieces of digital evidence, which led them to identify the defendant as the killer responsible for his brother’s death.

Honors III was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and resisting an officer without violence, according to AOL.

At the time Gross reopened the case, Honors III had been arrested in Albany, Georgia, for stabbing a man. Some phone records showed the defendant called two of his girlfriends and told them his brother was dead before calling 911 and reporting his brother missing. A security camera installed a day before the fatal incident by a neighbor captured Honor III's panicked conversation. There were text messages from the defendant’s phone stating he shot Honors IV in the head. That information was never released to the public.

In addition, a 16-year-old witness who had been at the residence with both brothers as they played video games and searched social media, told investigators that a fight started between the brothers. The witness told investigators he got scared knowing there were guns in the house and left the residence abruptly. Just as the 16-year-old got down the road, he heard one gunshot and fled the scene on foot.

"He knew in his heart that Stuffy got shot and he was scared to death. He was 16 years old. He didn’t know what to do. He took off on foot and got the heck out of there," said Gross, reported FOX 13.

Video footage found on the defendant’s phone showed him rapping with his brother just 4 hours before the murder, with some of the lyrics stating “you’re fixing to die tonight."

Albany detectives interviewed Honors III in jail, and he confessed to the killing and admitted to cleaning up the crime scene and getting rid of the murder weapon in a neighbor’s trash.

Honors III is currently awaiting extradition to Lakeland, Florida, to await trial.

A judge sentenced the nurse, who has not been publicly identified, to life in prison for the death of 10 elderly patients and the attempted murder of 27 others.

According to BBC, the unidentified defendant had become irritated by patients who needed a higher level of care during his night shifts. As a result, the unnamed nurse between the period of December 2023 and May 2024, injected his patients with large doses of painkillers such as morphine and midazolam, which is often used for executions in the United States.

The defendant was arrested in 2024.

During the trial, prosecutors established that the defendant had a personality disorder, being the “master of life and death,” with a lack of compassion for his patients. In addition, they expressed that the unidentified nurse showed no remorse for his actions.

“The court stated that his crimes carried a particular severity of guilt, which should bar him from early release after 15 years, a provision typically available in cases of this nature. He will be allowed to appeal,” reported Global News.

Authorities are in the process of exhuming the bodies of patients who died while under the unnamed nurse’s care to identify more possible victims.

This case is eerily similar to another German nurse, Niels Hoegel, who received a life sentence for the murder of 85 patients in 2019. Hoegel also gave his patients lethal injections between 2000 and 2005. He was considered to be modern Germany's most prolific serial killer.

Leeds Crown Court Judge Howard Crowson sentenced 20-year-old Alfie Franco to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 16-year-old Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim. After a six-day trial, Franco was found guilty of murder.

On April 3, Franco, with his girlfriend, had been walking along Ramsden Street in Huddersfield when Al Ibrahim and a friend walked past the couple. The defendant, who had an ice-cream in one hand, retrieved a flick knife from his pocket and confronted the victim.

Onlookers, including children in the busy center, witnessed Franco stab Al Ibrahim seconds after the confrontation. Though first responders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

During the trial, Franco claimed the attack was due to self-defense because he thought Al Ibrahim had a knife and would have attacked him. However, investigators submitted CCTV footage that showed Franco was the aggressor and the victim had no weapon in his possession. In addition, videos and pictures from the defendant’s phone showed him smoking cannabis with an array of knives in his bedroom prior to the attack. The defendant also had consumed cocaine, diazepam, ketamine, and codeine.

“This was not a mistake or a misconception by you - it was a lie," said Crowson during the sentencing hearing, according to BBC.

Two weeks before the fatal incident, Al Ibrahim, who was a Syrian Refugee, had just moved to Huddersfield to live with his uncle. Upon the news of his loss, Al Ibrahim’s father had reportedly suffered a stroke in Syria.

“I am unable to describe the impact of their heinous crime and the impact it had over everyone. His mother still cries over his clothes as they smell of him,” stated the victim’s uncle, Ghazwan Al Ibrahim, reported The Guardian.

Initially, Franco had pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place. Hence, Crowson sentenced him to an additional 12 months to be served concurrently to the life sentence.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Mary Ann O'Malley sentenced 51-year-old Lawyer Dushan McBride to 75 years to life in prison for the shooting death of 30-year-old Rashanda Franklin. McBride was found guilty and convicted by a jury of murder.

“This tragic case underscores the devastating reality of domestic violence, which claims far too many lives. While no verdict can bring back a mother taken from her children in such a senseless act of violence, this sentence provides the victim’s family with a measure of justice and accountability. It also sends a clear message that stalking and harassment are warning signs that must be taken seriously, and that those who perpetrate such violence will be held responsible under the law,” said District Attorney Diana Becton, according to Contra Costa County.

On April 4, 2017, the Richmond Police Department responded to the intersection of 29th Street and Rheem Avenue after they received a frantic call from Franklin. Before the call, McBride had stalked Franklin for weeks and had been waiting in a church parking lot that fateful day when the victim had attempted to drop off her children at school.

In a state of fear, the victim drove off with her children in the car and reported the ongoing incident to the 911 dispatcher. During the call, Franklin could be heard pleading with the defendant that she has her kids in the car.

Instead, he replied, “I ain’t playing with you,” before shooting her to death, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.

McBride fled the scene but was arrested by the U.S. Marshals and Richmond police in Sacramento.

O'Malley sentenced McBride to an additional 20 years and 4 months to be served consecutively to the life sentence.

Escambia County Circuit Judge Amy Brodersen handed Alyssa Marie Blackburn, 25, a life sentence in prison for her role in the shooting death of 26-year-old Jesse Geoghagan. Balckburn was convicted by a jury of principal to second degree murder.  

On October 29, 2023, Blackburn and two other co-defendants, 32-year-old Jacob Colville and 47-year-old Lawrence Bonner, went to a home on Medford Avenue to look for the victim. At the time, the defendant was Geoghagen’s girlfriend and was also in a relationship with Colesville, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Prior to the fatal incident, the trio had been in a conflict. Upon arrival at the residence, Blackburn went inside first and confirmed was at the residence. Hence, Colville and Bonner went inside the home and searched for the victim, who had been hiding in a closet, before fatally shooting him several times with three different guns.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested all three suspects.

During the trial, prosecutors submitted video footage of the murder that was captured on a home surveillance camera. In addition, they submitted text messages from Blackburn telling a friend Colville was going to kill Geoghagan minutes before the shooting. Also, authorities found text messages from the defendant to Colville that showed she wanted Colville to make Geoghagan leave her alone.

Colville was convicted in June for first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison, while Bonner pleaded no contest to principal to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 5 years. At the time of his sentencing, Bonner was credited with 1,046 days and released for time served, reported WEAR News. 

A Chambers County district judge handed 50-year-old Sarah Hartsfield a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of her husband, Joseph Hartsfield. After about an hour of deliberation, Hartsfield was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

"What a wild coincidence that no person can leave her without consequences," said Chambers County Assistant District Attorney Mallory Vargas, according to AOL.

On Jan. 7, 2023, paramedics responded to the home shared by the defendant and Joseph Hartsfield after receiving a 911 distress call from his wife. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital in the Houston area, where he was admitted as hypoglycemic and unresponsive. Despite life-saving measures, Joseph Hartfield’s blood level continued to crash, which led medical authorities to believe the victim had been administered something that was resistant to the glucose given to him at the hospital. 

After Joseph Hartsfield's death, an autopsy report showed the victim had been injected with a high dose of insulin. However, the medical examiner could not determine whether the cause of death was accidental, suicide, or homicide.

During the trial, prosecutors presented the jury with evidence that contradicted the defendant’s testimony that she had been asleep due to a narcotic pain medication the hours before her husband became hypoglycemic. However, investigators determined the defendant had been on her phone every hour before the first responders showed up. Also, they discovered messages were sent from Joseph Hartsfield’s phone to his wife’s phone with a picture of his driver’s license, a wedding picture, details of a bank account the victim just opened, and a key for his Apple Legacy Contact.

“He told me he was worried she would kill him in his sleep.  I tried so hard to get him not to go back,” said Joseph Hartsfield’s sister, Jeannie Hartsfield, during the trial, reported NBC News.

Hartsfield’s past with her former fiancé also had fatal consequences. According to prosecutors, Hartsfield shot her former fiancé to death in 2018. Though she claimed self-defense and authorities initially agreed, the case was reopened upon her indictment for murder regarding Joseph Hartsfield. 

The FBI also investigated the defendant in the past after she was implicated in a murder plot and accused of asking her fourth husband to murder her third husband’s wife. Hartsfield was never charged for either crime.

The defendant was transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.

Third Judicial Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson sentenced, now 17-year-old Jayden Burch, to life in prison for the shooting death of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. Burch was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, according to First Coast News.

On August 24, 2023, the Lake City Police Department responded to the victim’s home on Northwest Long Street after reports of a drive-by shooting. According to authorities, earlier that day at Columbia County High School, where Smith’s brother Todrion Jenkins was involved in an altercation that resulted in being kicked off the football team and suspended for 10 days.  

In an act of retribution, Burch, who was 15 years old at the time, and two other co-defendants, Jatarious Fluellen, then 14 years old, and 17-year-old Matthew Rice, went to the residence and fired 25 rounds into it.

Though Jenkins and his grandmother survived the ordeal, Smith was struck in the head while she sat on the couch. Despite life-saving measures by first responders, Smith succumbed to her wounds.

Two months later, the defendant was arrested.

During the sentencing hearing, the defendant’s aunt, Talene Lecounte, pleaded with the court to show mercy and leniency toward Burch.

“I can’t say what happened, I don’t know, but I’m just asking the court to have some leniency, please. I’m not saying he did do it, he didn’t do it, I’m just asking the court to have some leniency,” said Lecounte, reported WCJB.

Johnson sentenced Burch to an additional 30 years for the attempted murder charge and to run concurrently with the life sentence.

Rice was also convicted of the exact charges and will be sentenced on Nov. 13. Fluellen is still awaiting trial.

Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Lars Anderson handed 48-year-old Karina Cooper a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her husband, Ryan Cooper. After a week-long trial, Karina Cooper was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder.

In the early morning hours on June 18, 2021, officers responded to the couple’s home west of Traer, where they found Ryan Cooper’s body with two gunshot wounds to his face. After two and a half years of investigation, authorities arrested Karina Cooper’s lover and co-defendant, 28-year-old Huston William Danker, on a charge of first-degree murder.

“Mr. Cooper was, by what I heard at trial and from the State today, a hardworking, kind, generous man who loved his children and his many friends. Ms Cooper, your actions – whether you were the one who shot Mr. Cooper, or whether as a result of aiding and abetting Huston Danker resulted in his death – they deprived your children of not only a father, but of a mother. And I can’t really state any more eloquently than was stated in the victim impact statements, the broader impact it’s had on Mr. Cooper’s many friends and family,” said Anderson during the sentencing hearing, according to the Times-Republican.

On the first day, which was meant for Danker’s jury selection ahead of his trial, the co-defendant pleaded guilty and admitted to the court that he and Karina Cooper were lovers. Furthermore, Danker told the court that both he and Karina Cooper had planned the murder for a period of four to five months.

During the trial, prosecutors had submitted messages between the two defendants the night and morning of the murder that incriminated Karina Cooper.  

Karina Cooper’s defense team requested that the court grant her a new trial, but the judge declined.

“The heinous crime was committed in their home while three of the children slept upstairs. No efforts were made by the person responsible to protect his children," said Ryan Cooper’s older sister.  Michelle Wilson, during the victim’s impact statement, reported Iowa’s News Now.

Karina Cooper was ordered to pay court costs and a victim restitution of $150,000 to Ryan Cooper’s Estate, in addition to $14,944.76 to the Crime Victim Compensation Program.

Her family described the 25-year-old Majette as a loving mother and a hard worker. She loved music and often performed as a DJ at events to earn extra cash, reported Project: Cold Case.

Around 8 pm on June 12, 2013, two men gained entry into the residence along the 700 Block of North Thompson Drive. Soon, Majette’s aunt and uncle, Mark and Patricia Cherry, who had been sleeping in their basement, heard gunshots and the children screaming.

The victim succumbed to the gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of investigators following up on every lead, they hit a dead end. As a result, the Madison Police Department (MPD) has not been able to identify and arrest any suspect since the fatal incident.

“The Madison Police Department is committed to holding those responsible for Julie's death accountable”, according to the Madison Police Department.

If anyone has any information that would help identify Majette’s killer, please call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or online at p3tips.com. Information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward, which can also be collected anonymously. 

Frederick County Circuit Court Judge Scott Rolle handed 19-year-old Juwuan Terry Stewart a life term in prison for the rape and stabbing death of 61-year-old Tammy Sue Coates. Stewart pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree rape.

“This is an extremely egregious case that would have been death penalty eligible not so long ago. The community needs to understand that some teenagers are capable of extremely brutal and horrific crimes and should be punished according to the crime, not just their age,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, according to FOX 45 News.

On Jan. 22, 2024, officers responded to the 300 Block of Ninth Avenue after a 911 distress call from the victim’s relative, who found Coates’ body at her residence. Later, an autopsy report showed the victim had been raped, with the cause of death due to multiple stab wounds and asphyxia after Stewart strangled her.

Witnesses told investigators the defendant had asked Coates if he could shovel snow off her car in exchange for a fee, but she repeatedly declined his offer. Authorities placed Stewart, who was 17 years old at the time and ordered to wear an ankle monitor due to an unrelated event, at the crime scene, in addition to cell phone records and security camera footage. More importantly, the defendant’s DNA was consistent with evidence taken from Coates’ body.

Later, investigators found the defendant’s discarded ankle monitor in his backyard.

“I am unsure how I can ever put into words the impact of losing my mother in such a horrific way has impacted not only my life, but my family’s life as well. . . . This is an experience no one should have to experience in their life.  I will never be the same person after this life-altering event,” said the victim’s daughter, reported Frederick’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Rolle sentenced Stewart to an additional 20 years to be served consecutively. The defendant was also ordered to be registered as a lifetime sex offender and supervised by the Sex Offender Management Team.

Butte County Superior Court Judge Virginia Gingery sentenced 27-year-old Jessica Rose Nichols to 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of her 22-year-old husband, Mateo Lange. Nichols pleaded no contest to first-degree murder with the use of a firearm.

Early morning of Nov. 6, 2020, Oroville Police Department responded to the apartment the couple shared on Grand Avenue after reports of a shooting in progress by a neighbor. The neighbor told investigators she had initially heard two gunshots before Nichols handed her a baby stroller with the couple’s 22-month-old child in it, a note with the child’s name and information about the grandparents, and then returned to the apartment, reported MSN. While on the phone with the 911 dispatcher, another shot rang out in the apartment.

Upon arrival, officers found the defendant sitting on her porch with a 9mm Glock handgun on the floor next to her. Then, they found Lange’s body on the living room floor of the residence on a makeshift bed with two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the chest. Nichols was immediately taken into custody.

Initially, the defendant claimed self-defense, claimed Lange had threatened her life, and then charged at her during a heated argument. However, after a careful examination of the crime scene, investigators found bullet holes in the blanket and around the pillows and determined the victim was shot while sleeping.

According to the Butte County District Attorney’s Office, authorities retrieved video footage from the apartment security camera with audio recordings from the previous night, with Lange telling Nichols he was ending their marriage and leaving the day of the fatal incident. In addition, investigators heard the defendant’s gun jam after the first shot, before she cleared it, chambered a new round, and fired the second shot.

Lange’s family members described him as a gentle giant with a loving heart.

Gingery sentenced Nichols to an additional consecutive 10 years for the gun enhancement.

U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley handed Zaekwon McDaniel, a.k.a.“Gap” and “Yung Gap,” a life sentence in federal prison for his role in the killing of rival gang members and the attempted murder of innocent residents of Waterbury. A jury found McDaniel guilty and convicted him of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Starting on Oct. 31, 2017, the 27-year-old McDaniel and other members of the 960 street gang terrorized the area of Porter Street and Bank Street after shooting and injuring an individual, who was a member of a rival gang, during a drive-by. At the scene, authorities retrieved 17 shell casings from four different weapons and later found the getaway car with McDaniel’s DNA on the steering wheel.

Then, on Nov. 22, 2017, the defendant, with two other 960 gang members, Malik Bayon and Tahjay Love, shot at Clarence Lewis and Antonio Santos, who sat in a car outside a restaurant in Waterbury. As a result, Lewis and Santos fled the scene at high speed and crashed into a house along the intersection of Wolcott Street and Dallas Avenue. The 22-year-old Lewis and 20 the 20-year-old Santos were declared dead at the scene of the accident.

A month later, McDaniel shot and injured the father of a rival gang member as he took out the trash in front of his home. During the investigation, authorities found a video of the defendant with other 960 gang members putting on their masks before the shooting ensued.

According to FOX 61, 960 gang members, including McDaniel, made promotional rap videos that glorified drug dealing, firearm possession, and gang violence. Meanwhile, most of the rap lyrics told a story about the criminal activities of 960 gang members.

Bayon and Love have also been found guilty of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity with special circumstances, murder in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute, and two counts of causing death through the use of a firearm and in relation to a crime of violence. Both men are still awaiting sentencing.

Dooley sentenced McDaniel to an additional mandatory 10-year consecutive term of imprisonment for offenses related to his leadership of the violent 960 street gang.

Fourth District Court Judge Roger Griffin sentenced Kathryn Restelli to 1 – 15 years in prison for the shooting death of her husband, 42-year-old Matthew Restelli, in 2024. To avoid a trial and a lengthy sentence, Restelli pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

On July 12, 2024, the defendant had lured her husband to Utah under the false pretense of fixing their marriage after Restelli discovered Matthew Restelli intended to return their children to their family home in California. As a result, Restelli conspired with her mother, Tracy Grist, and her brother, Kevin Ellis, to kill him upon arrival.

"Your children are victims of your actions. They'll be lifetime victims of your actions, and they deserve to grow up without you in your life, in their lives," said Griffin, reported FOX 13.

According to prosecutors, upon Mathew Restelli’s arrival at Grist’s American Fork Home, where the victim was instructed by his wife to open the door, which was unlocked. Upon making entry, Ellis shot his brother-in-law to death while Restelli was in a bedroom in the home. Initially, Restelli and her family claimed the shooting was in self-defense, but investigators believed there was foul play. During the processing of the crime scene, authorities noticed the knife in Matthew Restelli’s hands seemed to have been placed there in a strange way after he was shot in cold blood.  

Restelli later admitted to authorities that she conspired with her mother and brother.

"Someday, I hope you understand the depth of your actions — but that will never bring Matt back. You stripped me of his presence. Your children will never experience this incredible father as they grow into adulthood. Like Matt, I had done nothing to you to deserve this level of betrayal. Matt's death has created a massive hole in my heart," said Matthew Restelli’s mother, Diane Restelli, during the sentencing hearing, according to KSL.com.

The judge sentenced Restelli to an additional 5 years to life in prison for the charge of felony discharge of a weapon. In addition, the defendant was ordered to have no contact with her children.

Restelli’s mother and brother are still awaiting trial.

Mississippi Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur handed 35-year-old Matthew Brian Kidd two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 36-year-old William Earl Morris and 31-year-old Christian Storey. Kidd pleaded guilty during his arraignment to capital murder and murder.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and loved ones of William “Billy” Morris and Christian Storey.  We are grateful for their cooperation, as well as the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, in bringing about today’s judgment and sentence on this defendant.  The Defendant will serve the remainder of his life in prison, with no eligibility for parole,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, according to the State of Mississippi.

On Aug. 27, 2025, deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office responded to Morris’ home along the 3300 Block of Highway 80 after receiving calls about a deceased male. Upon arrival, they found the victim’s body with several gunshot wounds, and the front door to the residence was kicked in.

According to investigators, the defendant’s vehicle had broken down on Morris’ property prior to the day of the fatal incident. When Kidd returned to retrieve the vehicle, an altercation occurred due to claims of missing items, reported WAPT. As a result, Morris gave Kidd 24 hours to move the truck. Witnesses told authorities that the defendant made several threats against the victim, and Kidd’s ex-girlfriend informed investigators that the defendant had a 9mm Glock pistol. At the scene of the crime, officers found 9mm shell casings.

Two days later, the Brandon Police Department responded to Storey’s home on Gayden Street, where they found his body with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators identified Kidd as the perpetrator after they retrieved a doorbell camera that showed the defendant walking to the residence at the time of the shooting.

The defendant was later arrested at a hotel in Brandon and confessed to both shootings.

The motive for Storey’s killing remains unclear.

A New Hanover County district judge sentenced Keisha Baldwin to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 45-year-old Tammy Hayes. After a five-hour trial, a jury convicted Baldwin of first-degree murder.

“The defendant is going to spend the rest of her life in prison based on the senseless murder of Ms. Hayes. We are happy to get justice for Ms. Hayes and her family with this verdict,” said Assistant District Attorney Sean Spiering, according to WECT.

On Feb. 26, 2022, officers responded to a nightclub called “Edge Lounge” along the 1300 Block of S. 5th Avenue after reports of a shooting at the location. Upon arrival, they found Hayes suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts by the first responders, the victim succumbed to her injuries.

"I'm scared for my life. She's bleeding. She's going," said the first caller to the 911 dispatch as she tried to stop the bleeding from the victim’s chest, reported Star News Online.

Investigators retrieved video footage that showed a female suspect dressed in all black shooting several rounds from a handgun before fleeing from the scene in a car. A couple of hours later, Baldwin, who was 30 years old at the time, was identified as the shooter and arrested.

Though the motive remained unclear, witnesses testified that an argument ensued between the two women before the fatal incident.

Two years later, the nightclub was shut down after reports of nuisance abatement.

Superior Court Justice Rita-Jean Maxwell handed 28-year-old Shayne MacDonald a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the brutal stabbing death of his aunt, 38-year-old Sarah Vermelhudo. MacDonald was found guilty and convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder of Maria Vermelhudo, Vermelhudo’s mother.

“This was a particularly brutal killing. The attack was extreme. She had defensive wounds, so did not die immediately. She fought. She struggled, she suffered,” said Maxwell during the sentencing hearing, according to the Toronto Star.

Around 8 pm on Dec. 16, 2016, the defendant arrived at the victim’s home, which she shared with her mother, to watch a scheduled movie with Vermelhudo. Soon after, the victim’s mother heard her daughter’s scream from the third floor of the home, which startled other family members.

According to prosecutors, MacDonald had stabbed Vermelhudo nine times in her chest, back, and abdomen with a 12.5 cm pocket knife before stabbing her in the neck and severing her jugular veins. As Maria attempted to come to her daughter’s aid, the defendant pulled her great aunt by her hair before stabbing her twice in the back. However, Maria Vermelhudo survived the violent ordeal and rushed to a nearby hospital after her partner disrupted the defendant.

MacDonald fled the scene and was arrested three days later at a bus stop along the intersection of Dundas and Bathurst streets.

During the trial, MacDonald’s defense lawyers, Iryna Ryvutsky and Nicolas Pham, argued their client suffered from a mental disorder. They claimed the defendant thought he was in danger as he experienced a psychotic episode upon entering the home.  On the other hand, prosecutors argued MacDonald had long fantasized about having sex with a dead body. Hence, he zoomed in on his aunt to fulfil that fantasy by killing her and sexually assaulting her corpse.

“Violence and death were both a means to an end and part of the sexual act itself. Mr. MacDonald’s ideal sexual act was to have sex with a dead or dying person. Mr. MacDonald has a documented history of having sexual fantasies involving family members and violent thoughts. His longstanding interest in violence and death is concerning,” said Maxwel, reported Global News.

The judge ordered MacDonald to be eligible for parole after serving 14 years, even though prosecutors asked for parole ineligibility for 20 years.

On June 12, 2025, Miller's family reported the father of six missing after they told authorities he was last known playing cards at Thomas’ home along the 2600 Block of Baird Boulevard in Camden.

Two days after the report was filed, investigators tracked the victim’s phone data and a surveillance video that showed Miller entering the defendants’ residence, followed by a single gunshot, reported the Camden County Office of the Prosecutor. Soon, the video footage also showed the elder Thomas coming out of the residence and moving Miller’s car to Pennsauken, where officers found the vehicle.

Miller was never seen leaving the residence again. Later authorities discovered Sherrie Parker and Deshawn Thomas had purchased a chainsaw, cleaning supplies, containers, and trash bags, while video footage showed the family making trips to several dumpsters with the trash bags and containers.

According to 10 Philadelphia, a search warrant was executed on the family’s property, where they found a loaded firearm, a missing single shell from a 10-round magazine, and bloodstains that were a match with the victim.

Soon, Parker and the younger Thomas were arrested in Camden. The same day, the elder Thomas was apprehended at the Port of Buffalo, New York, by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol as the defendant returned to the United States after he fled the country.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

If anyone has information regarding this case, contact Detective Jake Siegfried of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit at 856-225-5086 and Detective Andrew Mogck of the Camden County Police Department at 609-519-8588.

Melbourne’s Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale handed Erin Patterson three life terms in prison for the poisoning death of her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Gail and Donald Patterson, both 70 years old, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. After a 10-week trial, Patterson was found guilty and convicted by a jury of three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

On July 29, 2023, the defendant lured her estranged in-laws to lunch under a false pretense that she had been diagnosed with cancer and needed advice on how to break it to her children. Present at the lunch was Gail’s husband, Reverend Ian Wilkinson, who had eaten the Beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms, a.k.a.amanita phalloides, that Patterson prepared for them.

“The devastating impact of your crimes is not limited to your direct victims. Your crimes have harmed a great many people. Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson’s health, thereby devastating the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families, you inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents,” said Beale, according to Al Jazeera.

According to prosecutors, the defendant had also invited her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, who refused to attend the event at Patterson’s home in Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne. After being rushed to the hospital, Heather Wilkinson, Gail, and Donald Patterson succumbed to their injuries from severe gastrointestinal illness that led to multiple organ failure. Meanwhile, Reverend Ian Wilkinson survived the ordeal after a liver transplant.

Initially, Patterson told investigators she purchased the mushroom from an Asian owned supermarket and had even fed her children the remnant of the meal without them falling sick. Later, authorities discovered the defendant had found the mushrooms on a citizen science website near her home. To cover her tracks, Patterson had also purchased a dehydrator to dry the mushrooms and dump it at a waste recycling center.

Patterson’s Facebook posts highlighted her disgust with her relatives for not trying to help repair her marriage to Simon.

“I am satisfied by July 16, 2023, when you unusually invited Simon, his parents, and aunt and uncle to a lunch without the children to discuss your non-existent medical issue, you did so with the intention of killing them all,” said Beale during the sentencing hearing, reported CNN.

The 50-year-old Patterson was sentenced to a concurrent 25 years for the attempted murder charge. She will be eligible for parole after serving 33 years in prison.

An Anderson County Superior Court Judge, Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh, sentenced Frank Thomas Rhoads to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Dequavious Tillison and Lorenzo Hunter.

After a 4-day trial, Rhoads was found guilty and convicted of two counts of murder and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The initial trial against Rhoads was declared a mistrial in March, according to Fox Carolina..

On Feb. 6, 2021, the defendant and two of his relatives, William Christopher Flynn and Dominick Michael Rhoads, got into a heated argument with Tillison at a local bar because of his relationship with his stepdaughter. Hence, after the bar closed, the defendant waited at the victim’s home as Tillison arrived at his driveway with Hunter in the driver's seat.

Then, Rhoads walked up to the car and fired six shots at point-blank range, striking Tillison twice in the head and Hunter four times before fleeing the scene with Flynn and Michael. Tillison died at the scene, while Hunter was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Six days later, the defendant was spotted in Virginia, which led to a high-speed chase, facing oncoming traffic on the interstate.

Flynn and Michael Rhoads remain incarcerated while awaiting trial, reported WSPA.

A Summit County Judge Christine Croce sentenced Denzel Pope to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 24-year-old Paige Calich. Pope was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault with firearm specifications, and one count of having weapons while under disability.

“I do not and will not tolerate gun violence in Summit County. There is no excuse for the act that ended Paige Calich’s life and robbed her young children of their mother. While nothing can make up for the loss of Paige, I hope this sentence offers a step toward healing for Paige’s family,” said Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich, reported WKYC Studios.

On July 28, 2024, the Akron Police Department responded to Calich’s Summit Lake apartment, two hours after the victim got into a physical altercation with the defendant’s sister, Corvette Pope, 26. According to prosecutors, the siblings walked from Corvette’s apartment in Cicero Plaza to Calich’s residence to confront the victim.

Upon arrival, Calich’s 3-year-old son came out of the residence first before Pope immediately shot her in the torso with a shotgun on her porch. Though Calich was rushed to a nearby hospital, she succumbed to her injury later. Then, both Pope and his sister fled the scene. The defendant was later arrested in Chicago.

Corvette Pope was also arrested and pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of obstructing justice. She was sentenced to 5 to 7 1/2 years in prison for her role in the fatal incident, according to 19 News.

Pope will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

After further confirmation upon returning to the location the next day with his family, Loch called authorities. Three days later, divers found the vehicle and located human remains in the car. Upon further investigation after the car was towed from the river, authorities discovered the car was a 1963 Buick sedan that belonged to a 59-year-old Minnesota native, Roy George Benn, who went missing in 1967.

“It was 100% luck, if my buddy wouldn’t have caught that walleye, we would have kept on floating down (the river) and never would have found it,” said Loch, reported CNN.

According to authorities, Benn was reported to be carrying lots of cash on the day he disappeared after dining at King’s Supper Club north of Sartell, Minnesota. Despite the search by investigators for months and exhausting every lead possible, the victim was declared legally dead in 1975.

Investigation into the case is still ongoing.

"Tons of credit for a fisherman to actually see that and then have the forethought to call the sheriff's office and make that report. Artifacts, clothing items, different things like that will absolutely help in piecing this whole thing together. I think perspective needs to be offered sometimes, of what a large amount of cash looked like in 1960 versus now, which very well could have been, from reading some of those original reports, several hundreds of dollars," said Sartell Police Chief Brandon Silgjord, according to CBS News.

Benn was the owner of the St. Cloud Appliance Repair Service at the time of his disappearance.  

A Madison County judge handed Shaniqua Brown a life term with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 20-year-old Jasmine Moore. Brown was found guilty of murder after the jury deliberated for over an hour during a two-day trial.

On July 26, 2019, an argument started on social media between the defendant and Moore. Later, Brown went to the apartment on Hood Road, shared by her sister Charmane Brown and the victim, to confront Moore. As a result, a fight ensued between the two women and was broken up by Charmane Brown’s boyfriend and Moore’s boyfriend. Then, the defendant came back into the apartment and fatally shot Moore.

During the trial, Brown’s lawyer Chad Morgan asked the court to dismiss the evidence against the defendant since the lead investigator at the time, former Huntsville police officer Julian Johnson, had a sexual relationship with Brown that continued after the fatal incident.

“This far in the investigation, we can say this was ignited over a social media argument. That’s something we have seen in other homicides and in this case that’s exactly what happened,” said Johnson, reported WHNT.

The judge disagreed!

Despite Charmane Moore’s resistance, the state compelled her to testify to the events that led up to the shooting. Prosecutors established that Brown had the clear intention to kill Moore when she went back into the apartment with a gun.

Brown apologized to Moore’s family during the sentencing hearing.

“I was happy. I was ecstatic. I felt like justice was served. Because of what she did, you can’t come back from that. You can’t bring her back. Even though the life sentence won’t bring her back, I feel like at least they acknowledged what she did was wrong and they gave her a fair and adequate punishment,” said Moore’s cousin, Arain Brown, reported WAFF.

On Saturday, around 3 pm, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) responded to a residence on Peach Drive to help the Jacksonville Fire Department on a medical call. Upon arrival, they found Ochoa-Menjivar with multiple stab wounds. Despite life-saving measures, the victim died at the scene. Hence, the 24-year-old defendant was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Munoz-Ochoa was a known entity to the Florida law enforcement authorities. In November 2020, officers had responded to the family home where Ochoa-Menjivar told officers her son had threatened to kill her with a knife while under the influence. At the time, the defendant was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Later, the charges were dropped.

A year later, Munoz-Ochoa cut a man’s lip with a knife during a domestic dispute. Again, he was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, but declared incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness.

"Our work isn’t done; we’ll work alongside our partners at the State Attorney’s Office to make sure Munoz-Ochoa is held accountable for his actions," stated JSO officers, according to News 4 JAX.

Harford County Circuit Judge Yolanda Curtin handed 24-year-old Victor Martinez-Hernandez a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the rape and murder of 37-year-old Rachel Morin. After a 9-day trial, Martinez-Hernandez was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense, and kidnapping.

"Arguably, Harford County has never seen a case or a defendant more deserving of every single day of the maximum sentences this court imposed," said Maryland State Prosecutor Alison Healey, according to BBC.

On Aug. 6, 2023, Maryland authorities responded to a hiking trail in Bel Air where they found Morin’s body in a drainage culvert. An autopsy report showed the victim was assaulted, bludgeoned with rocks, and then strangled to death. According to prosecutors, DNA evidence taken from Morin’s body was linked to a home invasion in California, where Martinez-Hernandez was identified as the perpetrator who assaulted a 9-year-old girl and her mother.

At the time of the fatal incident, the defendant was also a suspect in the murder of a woman in El Salvador in 2023. Hence, a manhunt soon ensued that led authorities to the capture of Martinez-Hernandez 10 months later in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Family members, including Morin’s mom, gave victim impact statements during the sentencing hearing.

“This sentencing marks a critical moment for the Morin family as they confront the man responsible for Rachel’s horrific death. While no sentence can restore what was taken, the family’s voice and their pain deserve to be heard—and this is their moment to speak directly to the court and the world,” said the family’s attorney Randolph Rice, reported WBAL.

The case caught the attention of the nation after U.S. President Donald Trump supported the Morin family, as the White House proposed a border security crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Curtin sentenced Martinez-Hernandez to an additional 40 years in prison for the sexual offense and kidnapping charges.

On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Police Metropolitan Department (LVMPD) responded to the parking lot of the All American Park on Buffalo Drive near Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas after reports of a stabbing incident. According to CNN, the 57-year-old Brown had dinged the car of a man in the parking lot, which soon led to an altercation. Then, the defendant pulled a metal object that looked like a knife and stabbed the victim multiple times before the LVMPD arrived on the scene.

First responders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, where officials stated his condition as critical. The victim had suffered stab wounds to his back, upper right chest, and penetration through his tendons as he defended himself. Furthermore, a partial gastrectomy will be needed to remove some of his digestive tract, and a surgery to repair his broken right rib.

Brown was also taken to the University Medical Center (UMC) of Southern Nevada, where investigators seized the defendant’s blood-soaked clothing for evidence.

Brown is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center with a set bail of $300,000. Upon release, the defendant must wear an ankle monitor.  

Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker handed Taylor Sanchez, 29, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal beating death of her cellmate, 68-year-old Cindy Schulz-Juedes. Though Sanchez had initially pleaded not guilty due to insanity, she later pleaded no contest to first-degree intentional homicide, according to CBS News.

On July 19, 2023, officers at the Fond du Lac prison responded to cell 410, where both Schulz-Juedes and Sanchez were cellmates, after they found the body of the victim in a pool of blood. According to investigators, the defendant claimed she stopped taking her meds and started hearing voices again. As a result, she thought Schulz-Juedes was using her toothbrush to scrub the toilet before beating Schulz-Juedes to death.

An autopsy report showed the victim had too many skull fractures to count and 37 rib fractures with bruises to the arm, chest, and abdomen.

"Every victim matters, regardless of their status or if they are serving a criminal sentence. This defendant brutally murdered her cellmate and created dangerous risks for other inmates and correctional officers. We will continue to protect our correctional officers and all those within our community, regardless of where they reside. We hope this sentence sends a strong message to inmates that there are consequences for committing crimes in our prisons,” said Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney, reported FOX 11 News.

Schulz-Juedes had been convicted of her husband’s murder in 2022 and was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Meanwhile, Sanchez was serving an 18-month sentence before the fatal incident. The defendant had been convicted of a threat to law enforcement in Kenosha, in addition to two years for battery to another inmate.

Calhoun County Judge Derek Johnson sentenced 22-year-old Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 17-year-old Michele "Luna" Jackson. Bevers-McGivney was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder and one count of abuse of a corpse.

“There’s nothing about this case that warrants any kind of leniency in this court,” said Johnson during the sentencing hearing as he called the defendant “pure evil,” reported Court TV.

On Sept. 22, 2024, officers responded to a 911 call after Jackson’s sister, whose family reported her missing, had been searching for the victim, spotted the defendant with Jackson’s scooter. As a result, the sister’s boyfriend pulled a gun on Bevers-McGivney until the police showed up.

According to prosecutors, the defendant had gone to Farnhamville City Park at night, where Jackson was also known to frequent. Though the motive for the killing remains unclear, reports showed Jackson was stabbed with a four-inch knife several times, to the point where the blade got detached when it got stuck in her spinal cord. The defendant continued stabbing her with the base handle of the knife, then slit her throat all the way to her spinal cord. He then moved Jackson’s body and placed her in a bin at a cornfield some distance away from the park at Landus Cooperative in Farnhamville, where the victim’s body was found the next morning.

During a search of Bevers-McGivney’s residence, authorities found a bloody knife handle, hair, and blood spots on the bathroom floor, bathtub, and a towel.

“Not only did you take her life, but you took her family’s, too," Bachman. Our lives now have a giant piece missing, and we will never be whole again. You’ll rot in the memory of your own hate. Alone, unseen, forgotten," said Jackson’s older sister, Shawna Bachman, during the victim impact statement, according to KCCI Des Moines.

Bevers-McGivney was sentenced to an additional consecutive 10 years in prison for the abuse of a corpse charge.

On Tuesday, Angel Thompson was arrested by Fulton County law enforcement officials after the body of 24-year-old Nicole Alston was found cut into 13 pieces in a burning body bag on Dec. 6, 2007, along Whitfield Road and Stitcher Road, a quiet Georgia road. At the time, the victim’s body was beyond recognition due to her hands, feet, and head being missing.

As a result, the case went cold until 2023, when investigators used advanced DNA technology via genetic genealogy forensics to identify Alston’s relative and the victim’s identity as a New Yorker who was last seen in Manhattan before her disappearance.

According to investigators, Alston had moved to Georgia to be with the defendant, who at the time was wanted in New York for theft and identity fraud. Authorities believe Thompson trafficked Alson, who had intended to leave the relationship prior to her demise.

“We believe this victim was trafficked prior to her murder, that this involved classic domestic violence, where this young lady [Thompson] was basically not going to allow both her lover and, I hate to say such a nasty term, but her cash cow, the person that was bringing her money, go,”  Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, reported New York Post.

Later, investigators discovered the defendant had used Alston’s name and identity to collect social security benefits, food stamps, and section 8 housing benefits to the tune of $200,000 in an 8-year span since Thompson allegedly murdered the victim.

"She didn't deserve this," said Alston's mother, who described her daughter as bubbly, the life of the party, and easily approachable, according to 11 Alive.

Authorities are asking if anyone has any information about either the suspect or the victim; they should please contact Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten at Will.Wooten@fultoncountyga.gov or (404) 612-6560. 

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carl Mazzone handed 19-year-old Nia Patterson life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 47-year-old Angela Bates. To avoid a trial with insurmountable evidence, Patterson pleaded guilty to murder.

On April 26, 2024, officers responded to the 3800 Block of Grosvenor Road after reports of an unresponsive female at the South Euclid residence. Upon arrival, they found Bates with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures by first responders and the victim being rushed to a nearby hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.

Petterson was arrested at the scene.

“This situation is certainly a tragedy all around,” said Attorney Morgan Caruso, according to FOX 8.

The motive for the killing remains unclear. The defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years.

On Sept. 16, 1995, Montgomery Police Department officers responded to her Maryland apartment at 1536 Heather Hollow Circle, in Silver Spring, after her live-in boyfriend at the time, Amir Jalil Ali, who was also known as Kenneth Burnell Wonsom, called 911 about his unresponsive girlfriend.

Upon arrival, officers found the body of 24-year-old Campbell with several gunshot wounds. Ali, who changed his name 4 years ago, told investigators at the time that he had gone to the store around 3 am and returned to find the residence burglarized and Campbell deceased.

Authorities searched the home and never found the victim’s department-issued weapon. Instead, they discovered Ali had scratches on his back and a big tear in his T-shirt. In addition, there were defensive wounds on Campbell’s hands, which showed she fought the killer, and the defendant bled after the altercation, linking Ali’s DNA to the scene.

Though the defendant was arrested for murder at the time, Ali was released two months later after the prosecutor dropped the case. The current Montgomery County State's Attorney, John McCarthy, claims not to know the reason behind his predecessor dropping the case.

"I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time," said McCarthy reported CBS News.

Campbell’s colleagues also told investigators the victim had told them she was scared of her boyfriend and slept with her department-issued handgun under her pillow. The victim also told another colleague that if she never showed up at work, it would be because Ali had killed her and buried her body. Campbell

Ali, now 62 years old and a resident of Laurel, Maryland, was arrested and charged with murder.

“Denna’s never left the hearts and minds of our agency, and several detectives who were very close with her, best friends with her, have always championed and believed that at some point in time this case would close. You never get over the loss of one of your own, ever. It’s something that stays with you, even long past after you retire,” said Washington, D.C Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright, reported WTOP News.

Campbell was a four-year veteran of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police at the time of her demise.

A Leicester crown court judge sentenced 61-year-old Jonathan Peter Brooks to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing of his colleague, then 65-year-old Graeme Perks. After a four-week trial, Brooks was found guilty and convicted of two counts of attempted murder, one of attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and one count of possession of a bladed article.

According to Sky News, during the early hours of Jan. 14, 2021, the defendant cycled while dressed in a camouflage outfit to Perk’s home in Halam, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Upon arrival at the residence and gaining a forced entry, Brooks doused the ground floor with gasoline in an attempt to burn the home shared by the victim and his family.

Rattled by the noise downstairs, Perks came downstairs, with his feet damp from the gasoline, and felt a stab to his abdomen, causing extreme life-threatening injuries to his liver, intestine, and pancreas. Officers later found Brooks asleep on a garden bench before he was taken to hospital for injuries to his hand and arrested.

Later, authorities believed the motive for the violent incident stemmed from Perks, who had retired but was a witness in a disciplinary hearing against Brooks. At the time, the defendant faced the potential loss of his job with Nottingham University Hospitals.

“This has been a nightmare for my wife and son, who must have wondered if I was going to survive. This has been beyond every struggle in our lives so far. I have no ill feelings, hatred, or bitterness towards my ex-colleague and derive no satisfaction from the guilty conviction. It is just another interesting chapter in life, and I wish his family well. I remain eternally grateful that it was me, not Bev (Wife) or Henry (Son), who was stabbed,” said Perks, who survived the ordeal, reported The Guardian.

Brooks was sentenced to an additional 6 months for the arson charge and 18 months for the possession of a bladed knife. The defendant was ordered to serve both sentences concurrently with the life sentence. Brooks will be eligible for parole after serving 22 years.

Upon serving the defendant with an arrest warrant, police allege O’Neal tried to detonate one of the bombs when the officers noticed a billow of smoke coming from his bedroom. They found a total of 14 improvised explosive devices at the residence.

O’Neal had been making death threats regarding the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and its personnel via his Facebook page. The defendant, who lives 40 miles east of Chattanooga, had accused the police department of using “Wiccan magic” to carry out “electronic torture” and stalking him.

O’Neal’s threats stemmed from a dispute he had with a friend, and he believed members of the sheriff’s office and the friend belonged to a satanic witchcraft cult. Over time, the defendant frequently inquired of his Facebook contacts if anyone knew where the Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross and his personnel lived.

“He needed help, but there was no help. I didn’t think this situation would ever have an ending where somebody wasn’t hurt,” said O’Neal's niece Amber Lilley, who described her uncle’s desperate need for mental health treatment, according to The New York Times.  

The defendant was immediately arrested at the scene and is being held at the Polk County Jail while awaiting a bail hearing.

A Multnomah County judge handed 48-year-old Geoffrey Edward Hammond a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Ryan Martin. After an initial trial, which ended in a mistrial, Hammond was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

According to Yahoo News, on Oct. 9, 2023, during rush hour, the defendant had partially blocked traffic at an intersection outside of the Moxy Hotel on Southwest Alder Street in Portland, Oregon. Martin pulled up beside Hammond after both men flipped off each other. The victim, while yelling at Hammond, approached the driver's side window when the defendant retrieved his gun and shot him in the chest.

Next, the defender tried to shoot Martin again, but his weapon malfunctioned. Meanwhile, Sam Gomez, a passerby who witnessed the shooting, started recording the incident using his phone camera before Hammond pointed the gun at him, shooting the witness in the leg.  The witness recovered from the violent ordeal at the hospital, but Hammond was declared dead at the scene.

During the trial, Hammond claimed he shot the defendant in self-defense, but the jury disagreed.

The judge sentenced Hammond to an additional 30 months for the attempted murder charge and to pay $30,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.

“My dad is gone. He is dead, and he was murdered by you, I’ll never be the same, he was supposed to walk me down the aisle at my wedding and you took that from me, said ” Martin’s daughter  Emily Martin during the victim impact statement, reported KPTV.

Grant was charged with second-degree murder after the Oak Island Police Department responded to the defendant’s home after reports of a gunshot. Upon arrival, they found the body of 61-year-old Randy Stewart at the house with a gunshot wound.

According to TMZ, the former pitcher was arrested without incident at the scene, while authorities discovered Stewart, who was a locksmith, had been at the residence to service Grant’s home.

However,  the motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.

Grant is currently being held without bond while awaiting trial.

The former pitcher was a seventh-round pick for the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite an unsuccessful career in the MLB, he played for the Medicine Hat Blue Jays, the Pulaski Blue Jays, and the Auburn Doubledays.

Tulare County Judge Juliet Boccone sentenced 38-year-old Erika Sandoval to 50 years to life for the shooting death of her 31-year-old ex-husband and former Exeter police officer, Daniel Green. After an initial hung jury in 2019, Sandoval was found guilty and convicted of premeditated first-degree murder with special allegations of personally and intentionally using a firearm at the second trial.  

On Feb. 6, 2015, officers and colleagues of the victim responded to Green's Goshen home within the farmlands and orchard area of central California after the victim failed to show up at work. Upon arrival, they found Green with multiple gunshot wounds

According to prosecutors, Sandoval, who at the time of the murder had been living separately from her ex-husband for over a year and shared the custody of their two-year-old son, had gained entry into the home and disarmed the victim’s firearms except a handgun. While Green was sitting on the toilet,  Sandoval shot him once in the forehead, in the chest, and in the neck as the victim stumbled into his bathtub, where he was pronounced dead.

Then, the defendant attempted to stage the scene as a robbery by taking the murder weapon, a few items from the house, and disposing of them on northbound Highway 99.  Upon her arrest,

During the trial, Sandoval admitted to the killing after witness accounts of her domestic abuse and romantic jealousy history were submitted to the jury, which included taking a screenshot of Green’s photo with his new girlfriend a day before the murder. Green was killed a week after he posted a picture with his new girlfriend on Instagram, reported FOX 26 News..

Furthermore, Sandoval admitted to cutting the brake lines of the victim’s motorcycle and had a history of slashing an ex-boyfriend’s tires in a jealous rage.

In addition, prosecutors submitted audio and video files recorded by Green that showed verbal and physical abuse by the defendant in his attempt to protect himself from false accusations of domestic abuse by Sandoval.

"When everything was going the way they should be in her eyes, she was pleasant to be around. She was social, and she was nice. She was kind … it's only when things went bad or things didn't go her way that she became nasty and things got ugly between the two of them …  And from what I saw, the bad was really bad," said Green's identical twin brother, Matt Green, reported CBS News.

Under California law, Sandoval, who had no prior convictions, will be eligible for an elder parole hearing when she’s 50 years old and has served 20 years consecutively. Jurors were unable to find the special circumstance of lying in wait, which would have qualified Sandoval for the death penalty or a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Green was an 11-year veteran of the Exeter Police Department.

Jefferson County Judge Mitch Perry handed 27-year-old Mahlon Harris a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Antonia Lucas, 21, and Daniel Key Jr., 23. After a two-week trial, Harris was found guilty and convicted of two counts of murder, one count of a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and one count of a persistent felony offender in the second degree.

During the wee hours on Dec. 31, 2020, authorities responded to the 700 Block of Lampton Street in the Smoketown neighborhood, where they found the bodies of Lucas and Key in a car with gunshot wounds.

Despite the murder weapon never being found, investigators linked the defendant to the crime scene with cell phone records, shell casings, and a DNA match to Harris. Furthermore, authorities connected Key’s phone to a number used by Harris during a domestic violence dispute prior to the fatal incident.

Harris maintained his innocence, stating that the authorities had arrested the wrong person.

”I feel sorry for the victims and their families. I also just like- I’m going through a lot myself, and I mean, I am an innocent person, to be honest. I know that you all are grieving all this and the case- I mean, to be honest, the real killer is still on the streets,” said Harris during the sentencing hearing, according to WAVE.

Prosecutors recommended to the court that the defendant be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Instead, Harris will be eligible for parole after 25 years in prison.

The victim’s family was unhappy with the ruling.

“I believe because it's two life sentences without the possibility of parole for 25 years. And I truly believe the jury thought that they would give him 50 years without the possibility of parole, because they came back and asked a question, and the judge could not answer that question. So I think that that is a problem in itself and needs to be changed within the justice system," said Lucas’s mother, Jawanna Godsey, reported WLKY.

Around 12:30 am on June 5, Wilmington Police Department responded to the 200 block of Colonial Drive after reports of a gunshot from inside a residence.

Upon arrival, they found Camden White and placed him in custody without incident. However, during the search of the premises, his father’s body was found upstairs with gunshot wounds, reported WECT.

The defendant was charged with second-degree murder, while the motive for the killing remains unclear.

Camden White is currently being held at the NHSO Detention Center without bond to await trial.

The case is still ongoing.

"This individual is accused of committing a horrendous act, and her swift arrest illustrates the professionalism, communication, and teamwork of all agencies involved," said U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, Gadyaces Serralta, according to KOKO News.

During the wee hours of June 27, authorities responded to a home in El Portal, Florida. Upon arrival, the defendant led first responders to the pool of the short-term rental property where her child was found at the deep end. Talathi was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to investigators, Gupta told them that she and her daughter had been riding jet skis all day and had returned to the residence around 8 p.m. Then, the defendant fed her daughter an hour later before Talathi went to bed around midnight.

Gupta claimed she woke up due to a noise at about 3 am and found that her daughter, who had slept in the same bed with her, was not there. Soon, Gupta found the child in the deep end of the pool, but was unable to save her because she did not know how to swim.

Later, a preliminary autopsy report by the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Department showed that there was an absence of water in the lungs of Talathi. Instead, the report established that the child’s cause of death was asphyxiation by smothering. Furthermore, the report showed the child’s stomach was empty, which contradicted Gupta’s account of feeding her daughter prior to the fatal incident.

On June 30, Miami-Dade authorities issued an arrest warrant with the charge of first-degree murder. As a result, the U.S. Marshals Oklahoma City Metro Fugitive Task Force and the Oklahoma City Police Department arrested the defendant at a residence close to NW 150th Street and Santa Fe Avenue.

Gupta had been involved in a custody battle with her ex-husband, who had no idea the defendant had left the state with their daughter.

In May, the defendant was ordered to undergo a psych evaluation, reported News 9.

Gupta was a doctor with OU Health and is currently being extradited to Miami-Dade County.

King’s Bench Justice Chris Martin sentenced Martin Faruq Luther to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 49-year-old Lori Gordon. Luther pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, and discharge of a firearm with intent, reported Winnipeg Police Service.

On March 7, 2023, at about 6 am, officers responded to the 400 block of Beverley Street, where they found Gordon’s body and another woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. According to prosecutors, six armed men gained forced entry into a Wellington Avenue apartment suite where they accused the victim and the other woman of being affiliated with a rival gang.

Then, the defendant and two other co-defendants took one of the women to a Spence Street apartment where members of a rival gang resided. They told the woman to knock on the door before forcing their way into the apartment and opening fire on four men, including one who was shot in the face.

Next, Luther and the two other co-defendants took Gordon and the other women and headed for a Toronto Street drug house. Upon reaching Beverley Street and Toronto Street, the defendant and the co-defendant shot the victims multiple times.

Investigators connected both shootings after collecting eleven bullet casings from the crime scene that matched the bullet casings used at the Spence Street apartment shooting.

Luther, who was identified as one of the perpetrators was arrested six months later in Hanover. Though one of the females survived, she was unable to identify the perpetrators, and the rival gang members that was attacked refused to cooperate with law enforcement.  

Martin sentenced Luther to an additional eight and six years for the other charges to run concurrently.

“This seems to be about as bad as it gets. This was a particularly grievous and heinous offence that showed a callous disregard for human life,” said Martin, according to The Free Press.

Luther will be eligible for parole after serving 12 years.

On Sunday night, officers responded to Davis Road in the New Market Area after reports of a woman struck by a vehicle. Despite life-saving measures, Silos was rushed to Huntsville Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.

According to investigators, the couple had been involved in an altercation while travelling in a vehicle that the victim drove. Soon, Silos pulled over on the shoulder lane as the confrontation escalated. Then, Lockwood stepped into the driver's seat before running his wife over with the vehicle.

The defendant was arrested and held without bond and incarcerated at the Madison County Jail after being charged with murder - domestic violence.

The case is still ongoing, and the motive for the killing remains unclear.

"The Madison County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms. Filos. This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please contact Crisis Services of North Alabama at 256-716-1000," said Public Information Officer for the Sheriff's Office, Brent Patterson, reported FOX 54.

Allegheny County Judge EJ Borkowski handed 25-year-old Calvin Crew a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 38-year-old Christina Spicuzza. It took the jury less than an hour to find Crew guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, inflicting serious bodily injury, robbery of a motor vehicle, kidnapping to facilitate a felony, firearms not to be carried without a license, and evidence tampering.

Though prosecutors intended to argue for the death penalty, Spicuzza’s family asked the court to sentence the defendant to life based on Spicuzza’s faith.

"You should have the death penalty, but we showed mercy," said Spicuzza's mother, Cindy Spicuzza, reported People.

The conviction stemmed from Spicuzza’s dashcam footage, which showed her picking up the defendant, who used his girlfriend's phone to order the Uber on February 10, 2022. Two days later, officers found the victim’s body in a wooded area in Monroeville with a gunshot wound to the head.

During the trial, the dashcam footage showed Crew pull out a gun upon entry into the vehicle, prompting Spicuzza to beg for her life as she told the defendant repeatedly she had four kids at home. Furthermore, investigators found the dashcam at the point where Crew had requested to be dropped off. Cell phone tower records also helped investigators trace the defendant’s location in connection with the murder.

Crew’s defense lawyer argued that the defendant’s action was a result of a childhood surrounded by violence and neglect, with an IQ of 84.  Though Crew opted to be absent from court, the defendant maintained he was innocent and planned to appeal.  

“Given the overwhelming evidence supporting this prosecution and the jury’s verdict, it is extremely disappointing to have the public defender’s office attempt to characterize the investigation and prosecution as racial and political,” said District Attorney Stephen Zappala, according to WTAE.

Catherine, who is known as a member of the Bleeda street gang, was charged with first-degree murder.

On Sept. 15, in a case of mistaken identity, Calligan was at the traffic light at the intersection of Airline Highway and Greenwell Street when a car pulled next to her. Investigators alleged that the defendant shot into the vehicle, striking the victim multiple times and killing her.

"In this instance, she just wasn't the target they were looking for; she was an innocent bystander going on about her business," said Baton Rouge Police Department Spokesman Darren Ahmed, according to WBRZ.

At the time of the fatal incident, Catherine was already a known entity to the law enforcement authorities. On May 19, the defendant and another man got into an altercation with two other members of a rival gang, YNN in Pecanland Mall, Monroe.  Soon, Catherine pulled out a gun and brandished it to threaten the men. That incident led to the defendant being charged with rioting, illegal carrying of weapons, and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Six days later, Catherine was arrested in Baton Rouge during a raid on his uncle’s house, where drugs, cash, and weapons were confiscated. As a result, Catherine was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, possession of Schedule II drugs, and carrying a gun with drugs.

Earlier in March, Catherine’s presence at Park Forest Middle School sparked outrage when the defendant appeared in a TikTok video with students dancing to his "Step 2k25" song with explicit language, while the students mimed holding a gun and pointing it at the camera. After Calligan’s murder, the Louisiana Attorney General, Liz Murril, who complained about Catherine’s appearance at the school, apologized to the victim’s family, reported The Advocate.

Catherine is set for a bond hearing on July 17.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet sentenced 31-year-old Angelica Quintana to life in prison for the brutal death of her boyfriend and the father of her three children, 27-year-old Dennis Melton. After a week-long trial, Quintana was found guilty and convicted of murder by a jury of murder.

On Feb. 8, 2022, officers responded after a 911 call to the I-20/59 highway near Skyland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, where they found Melton trapped under a vehicle. Despite life-saving measures and rushing the victim to DCH Regional Medical Center, he succumbed to his injuries.

According to Tuscaloosa Thread, the couple had been involved in a heated argument when Melton got out of the car and started walking on the right side of the road. Soon, witnesses testified seeing the defendant drive from the emergency lane on the far-left side of the highway, across three lanes, before striking Melton from behind. As a result, the victim slammed on the hood of Quintana’s car before dropping face forward on the pavement. Next, Quintana ran her boyfriend, who was wearing a bright orange safety vest, which left orange drag marks, helping investigators determine how far the victim was dragged.

During the trial, Melton’s sister testified to hearing Quintana telling the victim, “If you get out of the car, I am going to watch you die.”

The prosecutors requested that the defendant be sentenced to 25 years in prison, but the judge disagreed. Instead, Pruet handed her a life sentence.

“She never called 911. During the trial, she showed no remorse, and she did not show remorse again on Tuesday during the sentencing hearing. I believe the judge took that into account when he delivered his verdict.  It was a very difficult trial. We believe that the jury weighed the evidence and came back with an appropriate verdict,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney for Sixth Circuit District of Alabama Paula Whitney, reported The Demopolis Times.

Since the defendant’s arrest, Quintana had been out on a $500,000 cash bond until her conviction in February. The court ordered the defendant to pay all the court-ordered payments with the cash bond, and the balance returned to her father.

On May 24, officers responded to the 600 Block of West Central Avenue after they received a 911 distress call from a witness about a car burning up in front of Koza’s gardening supply store, Tropic Bay Water Gardens. Upon arrival, and after first responders doused the fire, they found the victim’s body in his pickup truck. An autopsy report revealed Koza's mouth and hands had been taped and tied, with evidence that showed he had been beaten on the head.

During the investigation, authorities found a discarded Bass Pro Shops baseball cap, a bag full of blood, and a pair of shoes that were next to a rock that was dislodged from a display. Later, investigators retrieved surveillance footage from a nearby gas station that showed Poole wearing the Bass Pro Shops baseball cap while driving Koza’s truck.

According to WUSA 9, the video also showed Dakes stepping out of the car to give the gas station attendant two $5 bills to buy the gasoline used to torch the pickup, while the victim remained in the back of the truck. At the time, investigators believed Koza was still alive before the defendants returned to Koza’s store.   

The couple was seen fleeing the scene in a red Lincoln, which was captured on two license plate readers. In addition, Poole’s phone record placed him at the scene before and after the fatal incident. A week later, both defendants were arrested.

Though Koza was Poole’s former boss, the motive for the killing remains unclear.

The teenage couple missed out on their graduation at Southern High School in Anne Arundel County as they remained behind bars and were held without bail at the county jail.

“It’s shocking. I can’t believe any 18-year-old could do such a thing. Eighteen years old, just graduated high school? It just makes no sense,” said one of Koza’s neighbors, reported the New York Post.

The case is still ongoing, and anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Anne Arundel County Police detectives at 410-222-4731.

A Manatee County judge handed 51-year-old Demitrius Tyrone Bell a mandatory life sentence for the shooting and kidnapping of his colleagues at work. Bell was found guilty and convicted by a jury of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On June 5, 2023, the defendant returned to his workplace at the Tropicana Bradenton plant after his shift, according to ABC 7. Upon arrival, Bell accosted a 39-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman in an argument after he pulled a gun from his waistband. Soon, the defendant shot the male co-worker in the abdomen and kidnapped the female co-worker before fleeing the scene with her.

Two days later, authorities located Bell’s car, and the female co-worker was released in Hillsborough County.

The Bradenton Police Department's Crime Reduction Team received a tip that the defendant had returned to Bradenton after evading authorities for 10 months. As a result, officers responded to the 2800 Block of Manatee Ave. E., where they found Bell on the rooftop of a storage facility and subsequently arrested him.  A firearm was found in his possession at the time, which matched the casings found at the scene of the shooting.

The motive for the defendant’s violent attack on his co-workers remains unclear.

The mandatory life sentence was as a result of an enhanced Florida State Three-Time Violent Felony Offender law.

On the early morning of May 20, officers responded to 20 Annunciation Road, where they found Flood’s body outside an apartment complex.

According to authorities, the defendant was captured on video footage from a security camera beating Flood with a hammer inside a parked jeep ten hours before her body was discovered.

“The suspect exits rear driver side of the vehicle and can be seen pulling an unconscious, seemingly unconscious motionless body of the victim out of the vehicle. The body does fall to the ground at which time the suspect can be seen delivering a kick to the body,” said prosecutor Ben Sabol at the Roxbury District Court during Boyette’s arraignment, reported Boston 25 News.

Boyette was held without bail while the investigation by the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) Homicide Unit remains active.  The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470 or via the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS anonymously.

A Bronx district judge handed Matthew Godwin, now 18, 10 years to life in prison, and Omar Bojang, now 21, 15 years to life in prison. Godwin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while Bojang pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

"This case was a singular tragedy because of the ages of everyone involved. Their actions ended the life of a young girl forever and forever destroyed her family and loved ones that stand with me here today," said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, according to CBS News.

On May 16, 2022, Bojang, who was 18 years old at the time, operated a moped with Godwin, who was 15 years old at the time, as a passenger, and rode along Westchester Avenue looking for a rival gang member. Upon sighting the 13-year-old target, Godwin fired several shots, missed the target, and struck Tay in the chest before she ran into a nail shop for help and collapsed.

Though she was rushed to a nearby hospital, Tay succumbed to her injuries that night. As a result, residents were outraged, while the victim’s family received much support. Godwin was arrested four days after the fatal incident, while Bojang was arrested three days later.

During the sentencing hearing, both men apologized to Tay’s family, who fought back tears.

"I never meant to hurt your little girl, I hope one day you can forgive me," said Godwin, reported Eyewitness News.

On May 9, authorities alleged Brillhart took the life of Davis in the 3600 Block of FM 517, within the vicinity of the former HL&P inlet water bridge. A week after the victim’s demise and follow-ups on several leads, a Galveston County District Judge established that there was enough evidence to arrest and formally charge the defendant with murder.

Following Brillhart's arrest, which took place at San Leon, Texas, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Response Team, the Texas City Police placed the defendant in the custody of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Department Jail, reported Click 2 Houston.

Brillhart is being held on a $500,000 bond.

The case remains wide open, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Texas City Police Department at 409-643-5720 or Mainland Crimestoppers at 409-945-tips.

A Kendall County judge handed 31-year-old James Brown two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Cassandra and Changina Chatman. After a four-day trial, followed by three hours of deliberation, a jury found Brown guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.

"The case was senseless on so many fronts. Thankfully we have provided not only justice for the community, but certainly some amount of closure for the Chatman family. Gangs have no place in Kendall County. ... Hopefully this will deter others from coming to Kendall to commit crimes of violence," said Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis, reported Patch.

In the morning of Nov. 11, 2020, officers responded to a home on Sierra Road in the unincorporated Boulder Hill subdivision after reports of several gunshots. Upon arrival, they found Cassandra and her daughter Changina suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures and both women being rushed to a nearby hospital, they both succumbed to their injuries months apart.

According to FOX 32, the shooting was in connection with a gangland hit that resulted in 14 gunshots from an AK-47 rifle at the home with six occupants, while the intended target survived the ordeal.

Authorities retrieved video footage from neighborhood cameras that identified a black Porsche Cayenne during the shooting. Soon, investigators tracked the defendant’s vehicle to North Aurora, which led them to a home where they arrested Brown, a self-identified Balck Disciple Street Gang member, and other people at the residence. The murder weapon was also found in the defendant’s car.

A co-defendant Jaquarance Handley, 35, was also charged in connection with the shooting. Handley’s hearing is slated for July 11.

On Tuesday, the Coffee County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI placed Worrell under arrest in Marysville, Missouri, charging him with malice murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and aggravated battery.

On Sept. 20, 2006, officers responded to Jon’s Sports Park, a business owned and operated by the couple in Douglas, Georgia, after Worrell told authorities he had found his wife’s body upon his return to the business. Officers discovered Doris Worrell had been shot to death.

During the initial investigation, the defendant told investigators he had left the business to run some errands around 9:40 a.m., while his wife stayed behind to clean the premises.

Authorities are not disclosing what led to the arrest, even though they have pursued leads domestically and abroad over the years. In 2016, the defendant was reported to have resided in Costa Rica with a Venezuelan national, Paola Yarberry, who was an 18-year-old immigrant working for the Worrells at the time of Doris Worrell’s demise, according to FOX 5.    

Though Yarberry was in another location of the park during the fatal incident, authorities believed she had crucial information about the murder before she was deported.

Worrell is currently awaiting an extradition hearing in Missouri.

Military Judge Col. Maureen Kohn sentenced Greville Clarke to life in prison with eligibility for parole for the attempted premeditated murder, rape and kidnapping of several women. Clarke was found guilty and convicted after a court-martial without a jury of assault with the intent to commit rape, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual contact, aggravated assault, assault with intent to commit kidnapping, assault consummated by battery, indecent visual recording and obstruction of justice.

“I am incredibly proud of the five survivors of Sgt. Clarke’s violence for standing strong against him during the trial. It has been my honor to walk with them on the journey to receive justice for the heinous acts the accused carried out against them. May they now begin their lifelong paths of healing and vindication, knowing their voices have ensured the accused is held accountable for his crimes,” said the prosecutor with the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, Maj. Allyson Montgomery, according to Stars and Stripes.

The defendant was involved in five separate attacks that started in March 2021 after he broke into a woman’s room on the barracks while she slept. In another attack, Clarke broke into another woman’s room, but fled the scene after hearing the voice of her roommate. At this juncture, the defendant had started wearing sunglasses, gloves, and a mask to conceal his identity.

In July 2022, the defendant pointed a loaded gun at another victim before strangling her with a lamp cord and then shoving her in a footlocker. However, she managed to escape after Clarke thought she was dead. Three months later, Clarke threatened another woman with a gun, before he bound her with a rope, blindfolded and raped her. The defendant was arrested after the victim escaped.

Clarke’s defense team argued for a lesser sentence due to factors such as abuse inflicted on the defendant by his step-mother as a child, and the death of his biological mother at the age of two.

“It was hard to accept that my nephew, my nephew who I raised differently, did this. I feel your pain, and I apologize on behalf of my nephew, myself, and my family. I sincerely apologize,” said Clarke’s aunt Sondra Logan who raised the defendant after the passing of his stepmother during the sentencing hearing, reported Killen Daily Herald.

Kohn sentenced Clarke to additional 112 years for the rape and other related charges. The defendant will serve the sentences consecutively.

On Monday, around 9:30 pm, Maryland State police responded to the 12,000 Block of Shell Mill Road in Bishopville after they received a 911 call from a woman claiming her boyfriend had been shot. Upon arrival, authorities met Hackendorn at the home and later identified the defendant as the 911 caller.

Inside the home, Shaulis’ body was found with a gunshot wound, leading investigators to declare the death a homicide. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while Shaulis’ body was taken to the Chief Examiner’s Office in Baltimore for an autopsy, according to the Maryland State Police.

Soon, Hackendorn was arrested and placed into the custody of the Worcester County Detention Center. The defendant was charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and other related firearm charges.

Hackendorn is currently being held without bail.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the investigation remains wide open.

A Worcester County District judge sentenced 39-year-old Yvonne Ngoiri to four life sentences for the burning death of 47-year-old Joseph Garchali, 53-year-old Christopher Lozeau, 41-year-old Vincent Page, and 29-year-old Marcel Fontaine.

“We hope this result brings a measure of justice to the four families who lost a loved one, the three people who were injured, and the many others who lost their homes and belongings in this tragic fire,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., reported 22 News.

Ngoiri pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder and several other charges, including arson, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

On May 14, 2022, authorities received a four-alarm fire report on 2 Gage Street. The fire reportedly engulfed the three-story apartment building, killing the four victims and injuring another resident who jumped out of the window to flee from the flames. Other residents were treated for smoke inhalation.

Later, investigators identified the Ngoiri as the perpetrator who set the building on fire intentionally. The defendant had been a former resident of the apartment building. Four months later, Ngoiri was arrested.

The judge sentenced Ngoiri to another 45 years in prison for the other charges. She will serve all sentences with eligibility for parole after 20 years.

On March 13, residents of the Amish community had not seen the victim that day, which was quite unusual. Concerned, that night, a member of the community went to Kinsinger’s home along Dye Road and found her dead before calling 911.

Upon arrival, investigators suspected foul play and the preliminary autopsy report was inconclusive. Nevertheless, authorities issued search warrants, followed up on several leads, and witness testimonies that led them to identify Hochstetler as a suspect in connection to the homicide.

On May 5, the defendant was interviewed, arrested and charged with Kinsinger’s murder before being incarcerated at the Gallia County Jail.

This case was such a tragedy to those who knew Rosanna. She was a beloved individual in her community. Detectives have worked around the clock searching for answers and were able to get those answers. Hopefully this investigation helps bring some closure to the victim’s family and on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office we offer our deepest condolences,” said Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch reported WSAZ.

Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti handed 23-year-old Robert Crimo III seven consecutive life sentences for the shooting deaths of Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35.

The gunman has a complete disregard for human life and is irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt, and beyond any rehabilitation," said Rosetti, according to BBC.

Crimo pleaded guilty to the murders and attempted murders of nearly 50 injured people in the aftermath of his mass shooting. On July 4, 2022, during an Independence Day parade about 30 miles outside of the city of Chicago in Highland Park, the defendant shot 83 bullets in forty seconds into the crowd. Immediately, parade performers and people who attended scrambled for safety during the mayhem.

Soon, authorities used video footage from the security cameras to identify Crimo as the gunman. Then, a manhunt for Crimo ensued after he fled the scene, leaving his semiautomatic rifle behind. A few hours later, the defendant was arrested in the state of Wisconsin. 

During the sentencing hearing, the defendant and his family all opted not to appear in court. As a result, he was sentenced in absentia.

"But at the same time, I wasn’t surprised at all. And regardless of whether he was there or not, this was going to happen. I don’t need to see his face. I know what he looks like. I watched the videos with the confession. That was enough to see how cavalier he was about murdering seven people," said Liz Turnipseed, who took a bullet in the pelvis and still suffers from mobility challenges, reported NBC News.

Rosetti also sentenced Crimo to an additional 50 years in prison for the attempted murder charges. The defendant’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., served a month in county jail after he pleaded guilty to reckless conduct after helping his son receive a firearms ownership identification card.

“We heard the bangs and it sounded like gunshots. And then I came downstairs, opened the back door and I heard someone screaming for help…by the time I got out here police were already here,” said a resident, according to CTV News.

Upon arrival, they found 18-year-old Quentin Caza and 20-year-old Jeremy McNeil suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries after he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The 17-year-old defendant appeared in court via video link at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Saturday. However, due to Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act, he remains unidentified.

The motive for the killing remains unclear as the investigation into the case is still ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call 416-808-7400 or to leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

A Santa Rosa County judge handed 27-year-old Rachiel Moore a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 24-year-old Colby Vinson. Moore was found guilty by a jury and convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence.

On March 19, 2023, officers found Vinson’s body lying next to his 4-year-old daughter, a week after a judge granted the victim shared custody with Moore. According to KTVL, the defendant had reached out to her former stepfather, 56-year-old Jason Curtis, regarding killing Vinson.

During the trial, authorities revealed a week-long text that showed Moore’s correspondence with Curtis, who lived in Alabama, requesting him to come down to Florida and assassinate Vinson. Furthermore, Moore provided Curtis with gas money and information about the victim’s whereabouts.

Vinson had just returned home after grocery shopping with his daughter on that fateful day, after being granted partial custody by a judge a week prior to his demise.

Later, authorities arrested Curtis, searched his car, and found a gun, a handwritten note with the victim’s physical description, address, and work address.

Curtis received a life sentence last year for his role in the murder plot.

“To the detectives, and forensic team, I appreciate them not giving up. This has been weighing on me my whole life, not having a memory of my mom and just wondering who it could have been, this just means so much. I’m just so grateful you didn’t give up,” said Percifield's daughter, according to The Californian.

On May 28, 1976, Percifield was declared dead in Aptos Village Park after the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of a dead woman at the scene. They suspected foul play and collected forensic evidence. Despite several leads, investigators identified Richard Sommerhalder as a person of interest. Still, they were unable to make an arrest due to the lack of direct evidence linking him to the homicide. As a result, the case went cold.

Later, Sommerhalder became a known entity in the law enforcement community after he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in connection with two other murders, several months after Percifield’s demise.

Then, in 2019, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services developed a male DNA profile from the forensic evidence collected years earlier, but did not get a match in the state’s database. However, in 2023, they partnered with a Texas-based forensic lab, Othram Laboratories, which identified Summerhalder, who died in 1994, as the killer using genetic genealogy.

No matter how much time has passed, we will never stop seeking the truth. Advances in DNA technology continue to provide new opportunities to deliver justice and closure to victims and their families. This case is a powerful example of how those advancements can give us the answers we’ve been searching for," said Santa Cruz Sheriff Chris Clark, reported KTVU.

“Illegal drug trafficking continues to impact the lives of New Jerseyans, and gangs like the one described in today’s criminal complaints seek to profit from the sale of these potentially fatal drugs. This particular drug enterprise is charged with routinely engaging in violence for the sake of intimidating others, maintaining gang discipline, and controlling their territory. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our cities and towns from these criminal organizations,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin, reported the New Jersey State Department of Law and Public Safety.

On March 24, the New Jersey Police Department arrested 43-year-old Rabiyah Sorey, the mother of the teen, and her twin sister, Hadiyah Sorey, who runs the Double II, a.k.a. Queen Street Blood Gang, a street gang affiliated with the notorious Bloods Street gang.

The arrests came two weeks after Sorey’s 14-year-old son fatally shot Detective Joseph Azcona on March 7. According to the New York Post, authorities claim the twin sisters ran an open-air drug market at the 200 Block of North 9th Street, near Branch Brook Park. Furthermore, investigators arrested 24 other gang members who helped facilitate the distribution of the heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl that the gang sold, while carrying out violence upon anyone who crossed Rabiyah the wrong way.   

Officers raided Sorey’s home, which was reportedly used for the production of the drugs. There, they found $17,000 in cash and other apparatus used for the drug trade, including digital scales.

Sorey is currently charged with first-degree racketeering, conspiracy, weapons offenses, assaults, and other drug offenses.

Before Hadiyah Sorey’s arrest, she boasted to the Post about making $4,000 a day from the lucrative drug trade.

Toronto Superior Court Justice Joan Barrett sentenced 55-year-old Neng Jia Jin to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 31-year-old Vanessa Kurpiewska and the stabbing of 37-year-old Sulakshana Srijeyarayah. Jin pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and attempted murder in February.

On Dec. 8, 2022, officers rushed to a subway train approaching High Park station from Runnymede station after reports of a stabbing, and the emergency brakes were pulled. Upon arrival, they found Kurpiewska and Srijeyarayah with critical stab wounds. Both women were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Kurpiewska succumbed to her injuries, while Srijeyarayah survived the ordeal.

Jin was arrested at the scene after a Good Samaritan restrained him.

According to prosecutors, Jin told investigators that a Canadian doctor had botched a surgery on his eyes and rendered him blind. Furthermore, the defendant was told he had no recourse to sue because he had neither legal alien status nor Canadian citizenship. Enraged, Jin decided he would take revenge on Canadian citizens.

“I stabbed two people today. They are innocent. My eyes were blinded and I’m innocent … I was harmed by you Canadians and now I feel balanced inside,” said Jin during the sentencing hearing, reported Global News.

On that fateful day, though the defendant initially took a bus from Kennedy Station in Scarborough, Jin didn’t harm anyone on the bus because he couldn’t see. However, a few hours later, the defendant claimed he was able to see when he stalked a woman who managed to evade him by jumping off the train before the door closed. Then, Jin boarded the train that both victims were riding before stabbing Kurpiewska seven times, where she sat, and Srijeyarayah in the abdomen, hand, arm, and leg.

Jin will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years in prison.

Kurpiewska’s family described her as a kind soul whose life was taken by a pure act of evil. Also, Srijeyarayah was left with extensive permanent nerve damage and a physical scar.

“This tragedy highlights the significant challenges transit workers and law enforcement face. It serves as a reminder that the TTC must continue the necessary work with relevant agencies to prioritize restoring trust and ensuring safety,” said the TTC in a community impact statement, according to the Toronto Star.

On April 4, 27-year-old Taylor Schabusiness appeared in court to face a new charge of battery after she was reported to have assaulted the nurse at the Taycheedah Correctional Facility where the defendant is being housed, reported WGEM.

A few minutes into the court proceeding, Schabusiness suddenly charged at her lawyer, yelling scribbled and unintelligible words. Five deputy sheriffs immediately tackled and restrained Schabusiness while the judge ordered a recess. The lawyer requested to withdraw from the case.

Later, the court resumed via a video conference when an investigator described the event that led to the battery charge. On July 24, 2024, Schabusiness visited the prison’s medical unit and claimed she had a staple in her arm. While the nurse attempted to remove the staple with a pair of tweezers, the defendant lunged at the nurse with a metal table and struck her in the head.

In 2023, Schabusiness was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the decapitating murder, rape, and mutilating of the corpse of her former lover Shad Tyrion. According to People, the couple had taken methamphetamine before engaging in sexual intercourse when Schabusiness started choking the victim and killing him. Next, she molested the corpse before decapitating Thyrion and cutting off his genitals with a bread knife. Thyrion’s mother later came home and found her son’s body parts in a bucket.

Schabusiness had pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect, but the jury disagreed. Previously, the defendant also assaulted the lawyer who handled the case before being sentenced to life. The lawyer withdrew from the case two weeks later.

Williams is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent offense.

On April 16, around 8:00 pm, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 800 Block of Congaree Church Road after reports of a stolen lottery ticket.

Upon arrival, officers heard a single gunshot from inside the residence and saw the defendant fleeing the scene through the backyard with a gun in his hand, reported WCJB.

Williams was arrested, while Flemming, who was shot in the upper body, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The defendant is currently incarcerated at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.

The investigation is still ongoing.  

Ada County Judge Nancy Baskin handed 33-year-old James Johnson a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the beating death of his cellmate, 45-year-old Milo Warnock. Though he initially pleaded not guilty, the defendant later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and concealment or destruction of evidence.

Johnson, who was serving a five-year sentence for fraud and grand theft, had been scheduled to be released in February before the fatal incident, reported KLEW.

On Dec. 10, 2023, the defendant, who had been housed in an Idaho Department of Corrections unit where inmates are locked up together for 23 hours, beat Warnock to death with a blunt force trauma.

According to prosecutors, the victim, who was serving a DUI sentence, was moved to restrictive housing for hiding medication and not taking it at the time prescribed, causing sleep disturbances in the general population.

Family members claimed Warnock had requested a change to his medication schedule, but prison personnel failed to inform him of the proper procedure, reported KTVB7.

Johnson’s defense lawyer claimed the violent act of his client was due to the defendant’s mental illness and childhood trauma. The defendant will be eligible after serving 35 years.

On March 29, around 4:00 pm, the Toledo Police Department responded to the 500 Block of East Oakland Street after reports of a robbery. Upon arrival, they found Simmons in the roadway with severe brain injuries, reported Action News. Despite the efforts of first responders and the victim being rushed to the hospital, Simmons succumbed to his injuries four days later.

According to investigators, the victim had scheduled a meeting with the defendants via Facebook marketplace to sell a pair of Balenciaga shoes. Then, during an argument over the price of the shoe, one of the defendants snatched the shoe from Simmons and jumped in the car before the teens sped off.

However, the victim held on to the passenger door while the car was at high speed, while one of the defendants started hitting Simmons in the head with a gun before pushing him off the vehicle.

Simmons was a student at Woodward High School at the time of his demise.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call or text the Crime Stopper program at 419-255-1111. Eligibility for a reward is still available for anyone who opts to remain anonymous.

Ogden's 2nd District Court Judge Cristina Ortega sentenced 23-year-old Mauro Juan Soto to 31 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Juan "JJ" Garcia Jr. Soto was convicted by a jury of aggravated murder, obstructing justice, and nine counts of felony discharge of a firearm. In addition, the defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.

"I cannot predict who you will be in 25 years ... you may be the same person that stands before me today, and if that is so, then life in prison will be your fate," said Ortega during the sentencing hearing, reported KSL.com.

On Jan. 17, 2023, officers responded to the 1200 Block of Harrison Boulevard near the intersection with 12th Street after reports of a shooting during rush hour. Upon arrival, they found Garcia’s body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds and nine bullet holes in the victim’s car. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital, Garcia succumbed to his injuries.

Witnesses who took pictures of the fleeing vehicle identified Soto as the shooter. According to prosecutors, Soto was in the back seat of a car driven by a co-defendant, 30-year-old Anthony Barela, with a woman as a passenger when the duo pulled next to Garcia before the defendant fired multiple shots. Soon, officers tracked the men’s whereabouts, where they found the murder weapon and the bullet casings.

The Ogden Trece gang member was a known entity to authorities. At the time of the fatal incident, the defendant had been on probation for a previous shooting in 2020 after he shot 14 times into a car driven by a man carrying his pregnant ex-girlfriend as he chased them in traffic. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Soto’s sentence will run consecutively after serving a term of 2 – 20 years for the previous charges. The judge ordered him to pay $29,000 in restitution.

Garcia’s best friend, Ezekiel Cortez, described the victim, who is survived by a two-year-old daughter, as a loving father who devoted himself to his family.

“Yeah very important. It was all he talked about. Was kind of nudging me to do it too, you know. You should do it so our kids can hang out,” said Cortez, according to  KSL News Radio.

The murder charge stemmed from a violent altercation during a track meet on April 2. According to News Nation Now, during a track meet between eight other schools in Fresno, Texas, Metcalf asked the defendant to move out of his way to get out from under the team's tent. Instead, Anthony reached into his bag and warned the victim there would be consequences if he touched him.

Next, Metcalf grabbed Anthony to shove him out of the way when the defendant pulled out a black knife and stabbed the victim in the chest before fleeing the scene. Witnesses saw Metcalf hold his chest and cried out for help. Upon the arrival of first responders, the victim was unconscious and later succumbed to his injuries. He died in the arms of his twin brother.

“He was a leader of men. Voted team MPV this season and carried a 4.0 GPA. We will all remember him for the way he impacted others’ lives. I love you forever, son. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later,” said the victim’s father, Jeff Metcalf, according to News Nation.

Soon, authorities arrested Anthony, who admitted to stabbing Metcalf and told authorities, "I'm not alleged, I did it." However, he claimed it was in self-defense.

Since then, the case has garnered national attention, prompting Anthony’s family to receive racial and death threats.

"We've witnessed disturbing and hateful rhetoric in the aftermath of this tragedy. It is essential that Karmelo Anthony receives a fair trial, free from prejudice and bigotry,” said the Next Generation Action Network president, Dominique Alexander, reported KFOX14.

The Anthony family has raised about $300,000 for the defendant’s legal fees via GiveSendGo after an initial GoFundMe account was removed. However, two GoFundMe accounts for Metcalf have raised about $450,000 to honor him.

The investigation is still ongoing.

It’s been eight years since the Demopolis Police Department arrived at a home on Queensbury Lane, in Edgemont Village, Alabama, around 3 pm to serve papers on someone at that residence. Upon arrival, they met Steele’s 4-year-old son, who led them to his mother’s body in the bedroom. Authorities discovered she had been shot. Though first responders were called, the victim was declared dead at the scene.

Steele’s 4-month-old daughter was also found in the room next to her mother, while two other daughters were not at home during the fatal incident.

"It's very sad,'' said Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese, reported AL.com.

Soon, investigators canvassed the neighborhood and collected evidence from the scene. However, they exhausted all leads, and the case went cold.

According to Project: Cold Case, the homicide sent shock waves to family members who last saw Steele fret over the missing gift for her mother on Christmas day. Furthermore, Steel’s aunt Valada, who worked as a 911 dispatcher on that fateful day, was devastated as the news came in.

The victim was described as a loving mom who raised her children with values.

Over the years, authorities have raised a $20,000 cash reward to encourage witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information that would blow the case wide open should call the Demopolis Police Department at (334) 289-3073 or the DPD Tip Line at (334) 216-4077.

An Orange County judge handed 41-year-old Amy Lynn Black 15 years to life term in prison for the shooting death of 35-year-old Carlos Beltran Aguilar. Black was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

The conviction stemmed from the fatal incident on Aug. 26, 2019, when officers responded to the Villa Motel on 11672 Beach Blvd after reports of a shooting. According to ALT 987, Black, who was selling methamphetamine from her hotel room, had been involved in a heated argument with the victim. Over the years, the duo has had a tumultuous relationship and had sent multiple angry text messages days prior to the fatal incident to friends complaining about Aguilar.

Black suspected the victim was having an affair with an ex-girlfriend the day before his demise. Then, Aguilar went to the defendant’s hotel room, where the duo got into a heated argument. Witnesses testified hearing Black threaten the victim and warning him she going to have him killed.

Later, Black sent a text to her drug supplier and co-defendant, Joel Brandon Martinez, indicating her desire to have Aquilar killed. Martinez missed the message the night before partying with his friends, but he arrived at the hotel room around 1.11 pm with two other co-defendants, Gilbert Timothy Ramirez and Brandon Garet Iseminger.

Upon arrival, Martinez stood on the bed, pointing a gun at the victim as he ordered Aguilar to leave the room. However, when the victim attempted to hug Black, Martinez shot him to death. Soon, the co-defendants fled the scene, while surveillance video captured Black stepping over the victim to chase after her dog.

“It’s a one-shot execution,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Alexa Elliott, reported The Orange County Register.

Martinez was convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a gun by a felon, while Ramirez and Iseminger pleaded guilty. Ramirez was sentenced to 10 years and four months, while Iseminger is awaiting his sentence.

A Hinds County judge sentenced 33-year-old Chauncey Reed to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his brother, Elliot Reed, and the attempted murder of Jackson Police Officer Michael Tarrio. Reed was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder in connection to the death of his brother and attempted murder after a jury trial.

“This case is heartbreaking on every level. A routine traffic stop turned into a deadly shootout. One brother lost his life, and another will spend his in prison. Officer Tarrio’s bravery that night was extraordinary, and I am grateful to our Hinds County judiciary for their dedication to upholding justice in even the most difficult cases,” said Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, reported WLBT.

On May 19, 2018, Tarrio pulled over a white SUV with both brothers as occupants near the Valero gas station on Cooper Road during a routine traffic stop. As the officer approached the vehicle, Elliot Reed stepped out of the driver's side of the SUV and assaulted Tarrio while attempting to take his gun from him.

While both men were in a physical altercation, Chauncey Reed retrieved an assault rifle from the SUV and aimed it at the officer. Soon, a shootout ensued between both brothers and the officers, which led Tarrio to shoot Elliot Reed, killing him, and Chauncey Reed arrested.

The altercation and shootout were captured on the gas station's security surveillance camera.  

According to WJTV, the judge sentenced Chauncey Reed to an additional 20 years for the attempted murder charge, which will run concurrently. The defendant is currently in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Around 9 am on Sunday, Sutter County officers responded to a State Wildlife Area along Becker Road and Gifford Road southeast in Knights Landing after reports of a shooting during the turkey hunting season.

Upon arrival, they found the body of the victim with a single gunshot wound before he was pronounced dead at the scene. Soon, investigators identified the Sacramento resident and Octogenarian as the shooter and placed him under arrest without any incident.

According to Action News Now, both men were hunting for turkeys separately before the fatal incident. Hence, the motive for the killing remains unclear.

Lee is currently being held at the Sutter County Jail while awaiting trial.

Muskingum County Judge Gerald Anderson sentenced 37-year-old Brittany Cole to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the killing of 80-year-old David Cole Sr. Cole pleaded guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse due to insurmountable evidence against her.

“Brittany Cole’s actions reflect a shocking betrayal of trust. She not only ended her father-in-law’s life but then exploited his death for financial gain, hiding the truth for weeks while manipulating her family,” said Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch, according to FOX 8.

On Feb.10, 2025, the Zanesville Police Department responded to a shed behind a home at 1292 Somers Street after a report of a dead body was found. Upon arrival, they found the body of David Cole Sr. in advanced decomposition, wrapped in a tarp and a mattress cover.

Though an autopsy report initially showed the octogenarian had died due to natural causes, later investigators found text messages between the defendant and her 44-year-old husband, David Cole Jr. when he found out his father had died a month earlier and didn’t report it. As a result, further investigation revealed David Cole Sr. received a lethal combination of Tylenol 3 tablets with codeine and a significant amount of ZzzQuil.

According to prosecutors, Cole admitted administering the drugs for her father-in-law after he complained of pain around 9:30 pm on Dec. 25, 2024. Almost two hours later, when David Cole Sr. complained of pain again, the defendant administered another dose of both medications, knowing it would be fatal, before going to bed.

The next day, David Cole Sr. was dead. Then, Cole instructed the family to lie that the victim had moved to Cincinnati. Meanwhile, after the discovery by David Cole Jr., he conspired with his wife to conceal the crime since David Cole Jr. had a power of attorney over his father’s finances, including a monthly receipt of $2,300 from David Cole Sr.'s social security benefits.

Authorities uncovered several pieces of evidence, including David Cole Jr.’s phone, which had video footage of when he found his father’s dead body, and the text messages between the couple discussing plans of concealment. In addition, Cole’s internet search history showed the defendant inquired about how long it takes for a dead body to start smelling.

“This case underscores the devastating impact of elder abuse and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals,” said Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor John Litle, reported People.

David Cole Jr was also arrested and charged with tampering with evidence, possessing criminal tools, gross abuse of a corpse, obstructing justice, and endangering children. Currently, he is being held at Muskingum County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Anderson sentenced Cole to an additional 12 months in prison for the abuse of a corpse charge. Cole will be eligible for parole after serving 16 years in prison.

According to WITN, Jenkins was just released a week from prison after serving over three years for an unrelated charge of breaking and entering, larceny of firearms, and malicious conduct by a prisoner.

Around 5:30 pm on March 31, officers responded to the home on Snowden Drive after reports of a call described by authorities as an unknown call. Upon their arrival, they found the bodies of the victims with multiple stab wounds at the home.

A few hours later, the defendant was arrested and held without bond at the Wilson County jail.

Family members and friends described Dana Jenkins as a wonderful mother who took care of her family. On the day Jenkins was released from prison, his mother expressed her joy on social media and stated, “MY BABY IS HOME!! LORD I THX U!!,” reported WBTV.

Daryn Cox was also a student at Beddingfield High School.

The investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with information regarding the case is asked to reach out to the Wilson Police Department at (252) 399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at (252) 243-2255.

On Thursday, a Dunn County judge handed Jon Miller a life term in prison for the stabbing death of 25-year-old Mary Schlais. Miller pleaded no contest to first-degree murder after advanced DNA technology was used to track down the defendant before he admitted to the homicide.

"While no verdict can undo the pain of losing Mary, we take comfort in knowing the man responsible for her murder has been held accountable. Mary Schlais was more than a victim. She was a brilliant, independent woman, a gifted artist, an equestrian, a world traveler, and a scholar. This case is a reminder that justice has no time limit, and to families still searching for the truth, let Mary's story be a testament that persistence, science, and dedication can bring a long-awaited closure," said Schlais' niece, Nina Mary Schlais, according to KSTP.COM.

On Feb. 15, 1974, authorities found the body of Schlais along an intersection in the Township of Spring Brook in Dunn County, Wisconsin. An autopsy report showed that the victim had been stabbed more than 12 times. At the time, an eyewitness saw Miller dumping the body by the road and provided investigators with a description of the suspect, which authorities used to generate a sketch for identification via several media outlets.

Soon, investigators exhausted every lead, and the case went cold.

Years later, Dunn County partnered with Ramapo College in New Jersey, which is recognized for its genetic genealogy program. For half a century, Miller had evaded authorities and quietly lived in an apartment opposite a police station in Austin, Minnesota, until his arrest on Nov. 7, 2024,

Authorities developed a DNA profile from a skull cap found at the crime scene, which led them to Miller. Then, confronted with the evidence, the Miller admitted killing Schlais, who had been hitchhiking to get to an art show in Chicago, reported CBS News.

The defendant told investigators he had made sexual advances to Sclais, and when she said no, Miller pulled a knife from his car and stabbed the victim repeatedly.   

During the sentencing hearing, Miller refused to address the victim’s family. The judge ordered him to pay $2,200 in restitution.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a Prince George’s County police officer with the Special Operations Division’s K9 Section heard a gunshot in the vicinity of Marlboro Pike and Forestville Road. As a result, the officer responded to the 7600 block of Marlboro Pike, where he saw the suspect fire a handgun at the parking lot of a gas station before attempting to flee.

The teenager was immediately apprehended, and the handgun was recovered, while Addison was rushed to a nearby hospital where the victim succumbed to his injuries.

According to Patch, during preliminary interviews, investigators learned the shooting stemmed from an argument between the defendant and the victim, and they were not acquainted with each other. The teen was charged with first-degree murder and other related charges.

The teen is currently in the custody of the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.

Authorities are seeking information from anyone with knowledge of the case to contact a homicide unit detective at 301-516-2512 or submit an anonymous tip at 1-866-411-8477.

On the early morning of May 16, 1992, authorities responded to Reynolds' home in the 10100 Block of Lord Drive in the Castle Point neighborhood after the father of her unborn child, Antoine Jackson, found her body on the floor of her bedroom. In addition, Reynolds' 18-month-old son was left unharmed but scared in the next room, reported Project: Cold Case.

According to authorities, the victim was stabbed over 25 times, and there was no forced entry into the residence. As a result, investigators believed the perpetrator was a known entity to Reynolds and either had access to the home or she let the killer into her house.

“There was just a lack of physical evidence at the scene. But clearly, the killer was looking for something. They had ruffled through Valencia’s purse, and there were papers strewn across the floor,” said Joe Burgoon, St. Louis County Cold Case investigator, reported First Alert 4.

At the time, authorities questioned Jackson, who was living with another woman, but he had a solid alibi and passed a polygraph test. Family members told authorities Reynolds and Jackson had been engaged, but the victim had called the relationship off. Jackson married the other lady just a few weeks after Reynolds’ murder.

Investigators also interviewed the father of Reynolds’ infant son, Ricky Herron. Though he failed his polygraph test, Herron was at a hotel with other individuals at the time the homicide occurred. Two years later, Herron was sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter after he stabbed a man to death.

Neighbors claimed they saw a man leaving the home, but no one could identify the suspect.

Investigators exhausted every lead, and the case went cold. Now, authorities are hoping DNA advanced technology will provide an answer to the missing pieces of the case.

Reynolds was 9 months pregnant at the time of her demise and was studying to become a nurse while she worked as a cashier at Schnucks.

Over the years, the family has raised a $5,000 cash reward to encourage witnesses to come forward. The Saint Louis County Police Department is seeking information from anyone with knowledge of the cold case to call (314) 615-5400.

According to FOX News, around 7 a.m. on March 19, Philadelphia Police responded to an Upper Roxborough home along the 800 block of Bells Mill Road in the Andorra section of the city after reports of a man screaming.

Upon their arrival, they found Jordan Baxter with a gunshot wound to the back of the head lying on a plastic sheet between two parked cars. He was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later.

Officers found a gun resting on the chest of the victim. Residents told several media outlets they woke up to a chaotic scene in contrast to the nature of their quiet neighborhood.

"Ten cop cars, rescue, fire trucks. It's a quiet street. That doesn't happen," said a neighbor who remained anonymous, reported Action News.

The next day, investigators arrested Danielle Baxter as the investigation went further. The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Neighbors described the couple as friendly and parents to three children. Jordan Baxter worked as an engineer for SEPTA.

Danielle Baxter was charged with other offenses.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth handed Robbi Robinson, 25, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of 50-year-old Brenda Scott. Though the jury had the option of recommending the death penalty for Robinson, after two hours of deliberation, they opted for life without parole after Robinson was found guilty of capital murder., according to Journal-News.

In May 2023, according to prosecutors, the defendant’s father, Robbi Robinson Sr., who was a nurse, had gone to work that morning; Robinson put on a heavy puffer coat despite the 70-degree heat outside while carrying accelerant fluid underneath. Then, the defendant burst into his father’s bedroom and assaulted Scott by knocking her teeth out. Then, Robinson soaked her in acetone and a lighter fluid before setting her on fire.

As a result, Scott, in a desperate move, jumped out the window from the three stories of the home. The victim suffered 60 percent burn to her body.

Robinson claimed he had a sexual relationship with Scott and later testified during the sentencing hearing that he was not a bad person but just made a bad decision.

“I am sorry that Brenda is dead. I am sorry that I am responsible for her death. I made a bad decision, but I am not a bad person. I am not the worst of the worst. I was not happy. I was not happy with a lot of things. I was not happy with my family. I was not happy with my living situation, and I was not happy. I was not happy that Brenda was having a sexual relationship with me, and I was really not happy, and I reacted, and I was instantly regretful,” said Robinson, reported WLWT5

Robinson’s mother, Renee Robinson, appealed to the court to give her son a life sentence with the possibility of parole. Renee Robinson told the court her son suffered from mental issues, and unbeknownst to her, she did not know the level of impact her divorce from the defendant’s father had on him.

The jury disagreed!

Dotson, who flew in on a commercial aircraft from Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas, told family members she was walking to a nearby shopping center, which was the last time anyone saw her alive.

Alarmed, the family reported Dotson, a mother of a 14-month-old daughter, missing to the police. At first, Colorado authorities brushed the family off and claimed the victim was an adult who could show up later. Disregarding the officers’ advice, the family initiated an unsuccessful search that got the attention of the local media outlets.

According to FOX 31, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) believed that since Dotson didn’t have a car, she was on foot, or someone had given her a ride. Dotson never returned to active duty and neither boarded her scheduled flight back to Texas. Despite several manhours and follow-ups on leads, the case went cold.

Furthermore, investigators discovered Dotson was a frequent patron of online dating sites and western/country dance clubs in both Colorado and Texas. However, the victim only drank socially and was not prone to drug use.

The family raised a $10,000 cash reward for information that would open the case wide. Despite the effort, no arrest has been made to date.

“It affects you to your core. It affects you to your soul. It changes you as a person. You lose part of your heart … and you never get it back,” said the victim’s mother, Candace, reported Project: Cold Case.

Dotson had less than four months to her retirement at the time of her disappearance.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding the case to call (303) 271-0211 or (303) 271-5612 to remain anonymous.

Manzano, who traveled from his base in Kansas to cover the Super Bowl, was found dead in his hotel room on Feb. 5 in Kenner, west of New Orleans. The victim was found face down on a pillow while authorities detected foul play.

Later, investigators retrieved video footage that showed Colbert with Manzano hours before his demise in the hotel room. She was arrested the next day in New Orleans with the victim’s phone and credit cards in her possession, according to AP. During the investigation, authorities discovered the defendant had been working hand-in-hand with an accomplice, Ricky White, who was tracked to Hollywood, Florida, and arrested on theft and fraud charges.

An autopsy report showed Manzano had a mixture of alprazolam, a.k.a. Xanax, and alcohol in his system. In addition, the report indicated positional asphyxia was a contributing factor but currently listed the cause of death as undetermined.

Colbert was a known entity to authorities as a career criminal engaged in drugging victims and stealing their properties. The defendant was convicted of theft and fraud for the fifth time in New Orleans last month.

“There’s a lot of pieces to this puzzle, we understand that this is going to be a circumstantial case. I feel very confident in our detectives and the other agencies involved,” said Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley, reported The Guardian.

So far, authorities have kept quiet about further details about the case since it’s still an ongoing investigation. Colbert is currently being held without bond at the Jefferson Parish jail.

Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Pamela Lightvoet sentenced Xuan Thanh Vo to life in prison for the death of 65-year-old Sandra Villarreal. Vo was convicted of first-degree murder after he told police officers he made a conscious choice to kill a stranger because he was angry with his girlfriend.

“Society needs to be protected from you. To run somebody over and then have them fly in the air, then you run over them again—it’s just really unfathomable,” said Lightvoet during the sentencing hearing, reported WOOD-TV.

On Aug. 9, 2022, 40-year-old Vo violently ran over Villarreal with his sedan in the Oshtemo Township Walmart parking lot. According to prosecutors, the defendant admitted to investigators he woke up that fateful day angry, feeling lonely, and missed his girlfriend. Hence, Vo decided to weaponize his car and kill a stranger by running them over. As a result, the defendant chose the Walmart parking lot because it was empty and would provide ample space for him to accelerate. Next, Vo was waiting for someone walking by themselves when he spotted the victim and accelerated towards her. At first, he missed the victim before making a second attempt, striking Villarreal and running over her twice.

Officers arrested the defendant minutes after the incident. Despite life-saving measures by first responders and Villarreal rushed to a nearby hospital, the victim succumbed to her injuries.

During the victim impact statement, Villarreal's granddaughter, Ree Adams, expressed her disappointment at the defendant's lack of remorse.

"I haven't heard your voice, seen any facial expressions, or seen any eye contact," said Adams, according to News Channel.

Vo was asked if he had anything to say to Villarreal’s family, but he declined.

“Today is a day of remembrance, closure, and justice. This moment is not just about solving a case, it’s about honoring Ann’s life, providing her family with long-overdue answers, and seeking justice, no matter how much time has passed,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, according to Howard County Maryland.

On Aug. 24, 1975, Sturtz was reported missing after she was last seen alive around a Tic Toc Club on Eutaw Street in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. On Dec. 15, 1975, Sturtz’s body was found in a wooded area off Route 108 in Columbia. At the time, DNA analysis was nonexistent, and there were no witnesses to the crime and little evidence to go on. Hence, the case went cold.

In 1981, while authorities connected Davis to other murders, the defendant was shown a picture of Sturtz and asked if he knew about the murder. He denied knowing the victim.  However, in 2022, Cpl. Wade Zufall, who was in charge of the cold case unit, discovered a 1981 letter by the then Howard County State's Attorney that offered Davis a blanket immunity from prosecution regarding Sturtz’s murder and a recording of the interview.

Soon, Zufall reached out to the defendant, who had been incarcerated at the Jessup Correctional Institution since 1978, for an interview. This time, Zufall showed Davis a mugshot of Sturtz, different from the picture the defendant was shown in 1981. Then, Davis identified Sturtz as one of his victims.

Davis told Zufall he met the victim at a local bar, and soon they got into an argument that led to a violent altercation. Davis admitted strangling Sturtz.

The defendant told authorities he wanted to give Sturtz’s family closure, and the current Howard County State’s Attorney, Rich Gibson, upheld the blanket immunity provided in 1981. As a result, Davis will not be prosecuted for the crime.

"In November 2024, we were grateful to have all the case details, learned Roseann's actual date of death and receive the closure we have been praying for all these years -- finally put to rest the answers we never had," said Sturtz family in a statement, reported CBS News.

Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Carlos Varela sentenced Tayishe Baltys, 46, to 30 to life for the deaths of 15-year-old Jessica Talamante and her mother’s 39-year-old boyfriend, Brian McKee. Baltys, who had a previous DUI conviction, was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of murder and other charges.

Around 10 pm on June 22, 2022, officers responded to National City Street along East Plaza Boulevard after reports of a crash involving pedestrians. Upon arrival, they pronounced Talamante dead at the scene, while McKee was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. However, Talamante’s sister, who was also with the victims, survived the ordeal after a narrow miss being struck by the defendant.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Baltys had been drinking with colleagues at a Dave & Buster's restaurant in Mission Valley for three hours before she got behind the wheel of her vehicle. Though the restaurant was close to the defendant’s home, due to Baltys being intoxicated, she drove to National City instead.

A few minutes before the crash, Talamante, her sister, and McKee had just departed from a nearby 7-11 and were walking home when Baltys struck the victims. After the crash, the defendant was subjected to a sobriety test that showed Baltys had a blood-alcohol content of about 0.16%, which is two times the legal driving limit in the State of California.

During the trial, Balty’s defense team argued the cause of the accident was not because of the defendant being inebriated but because the road was pitch black and the victims were also dressed in black. They further argued that the victims crossed the road outside of the crosswalk, and people who were not under the influence would also have had the same challenge as the defendant.

As a result, the defense team asked the court to concurrently sentence Baltys to 15 years to life.

Baltys received a probation sentence after her previous conviction in 2020.

The judge disagreed and described the case as highly tragic, with two innocent lives lost.

   "You made a series of disastrous mistakes," said Varela reported 10 News.

36-year-old Terek Herron-Antone was sentenced by a Tuscaloosa County judge to life without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 27-year-old Syibrieka Underwood. Though Herron-Antone first trial ended in a mistrial, the defendant was convicted of one count of murder, and certain persons were forbidden to possess a firearm.

On July 26, 2021, Alabama State troopers patrolling Highway 82 East in Duncanville spotted an abandoned vehicle with a passenger around 8 am. Upon a closer check of the occupant, authorities realized the passenger was a woman who was unresponsive due to a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

Later, the victim was identified as Underwood.

According to Tuscaloosa Thread, the victim had been in a romantic relationship with Herron-Antone in the past. Furthermore, another of Herron-Antone’s ex-girlfriends testified that the defendant confessed to Underwood’s murder to her on the day of the fatal incident.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Keith Truffer sentenced Sergeant James A. Kulbicki, 68, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of Gina Nueslein. Though Kulbicki had previously been convicted twice, he was convicted again by a jury of first-degree murder, according to FOX 45 News.

According to prosecutors, in 1993, the defendant shot his young mistress to death and dumped Nueslein’s body in a state park. At the time, Kulbicki and the victim had a child together. A few days before Nueslein was due in court to petition for a paternity test and sue the defendant for child support, she met her demise.

Despite the conviction, Kulbicki claimed he had an incompetent attorney who failed to strike out the faulty scientific evidence called comparative bullet analysis. Furthermore, Kulbicki’s defense team highlighted that the Maryland State’s ballistics examiner had lied about his credentials.

"I've said since the beginning that I was innocent of the crime, and I still maintain my innocence. I feel that, if I get another trial, I will be able to prove myself innocent," said Kulbicki reported CBS News.

As a result, the defendant was granted a new trial, and prosecutors worried that witnesses might exhibit memory lapses since the case happened a long time ago. Nevertheless, the third jury didn’t buy the defense’s argument.

Nueslein’s uncle and godfather, Victor Gearhart, was present at all the trials. Gearhart is also a retired Baltimore police officer who served for over thirty years.

Berkeley County Court Judge David Caraker Jr. handed Jennifer Mae Todus 20 years in prison for the shooting death of 20-year-old Caleb Mitchell. Todus pleaded guilty to kidnapping and voluntary manslaughter.

On July 8, 2022, officers responded to Isaac Apartments in Summerville after reports of disturbance and altercation at the pool area of the complex. Upon arrival, officers settled the dispute and departed the scene. However, they were called back an hour later to the exact location, but this time for reports of a shooting. When the officers arrived, they found Mitchell suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five days later, authorities declared Todus, who was 34 years old then, and two other teens, ages 14 and 16, suspects in connection to the killing. However, the trio had fled to Mexico but were later apprehended on July 22, 2022.

“Our detectives worked endlessly, around the clock, to piece together the evidence to bring the suspects to justice. From the beginning, we worked to identify the suspects involved and began an immediate search for their location. We thank the U.S. Marshal Service for their assistance in assisting us bringing the suspects back into the country to be charged accordingly,” said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis, reported Live 5 News.

Though the teenagers remain unidentified, they were charged with murder and handed to the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice.

Around 9 pm on March 2, the El Paso Police Department responded to the 700 Block of North Piedras Street near Wyoming Avenue after reports of a traffic collision with a pedestrian. Upon arrival, first responders rushed the man, whom authorities are yet to identify, to a nearby hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injuries, according to KFOX14.

Later, investigators discovered the unidentified man was a passenger in Rodriguez’s car when an altercation ensued between the two men. Authorities believe after the victim exited the defendant’s car, Rodriguez ran him over intentionally before fleeing the scene. The defendant was arrested the next day.

Rodiguez is being held at the El Paso County Jail on a $500,000 bond while awaiting trial.  

A Prince George’s County Circuit Court judge handed Candace Craig, 46, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal death of her mother, 71 years old Margaret Craig. After an 8-day trial and less than an hour of deliberation, Craig was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and disposing of a body in an unauthorized location.

“This was truly a heartbreaking case. Candace Craig was heartless towards her mother. A daughter who was supposed to be taking care of her mother instead took advantage of her by stealing from her and then murdering her when she discovered the fraud,” said the State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, according to WUSA9.

On June 2, 2023, the Prince Georges Police Department responded to the home shared by Margaret Craig, the defendant, and her 21-year-old daughter, Salia Hardy, for a welfare check. A neighbor noticed Margaret Craig had been missing for almost two weeks, recognizing the smell of decomposed flesh and blood tissue next to three white trash bags.

Upon arrival, officers found brain matter in one of the trash bags and a bloodied knife on the basement floor. Further investigations revealed blood splatter in the basement with human remains on a chainsaw.

According to prosecutors, Craig had been stealing from her mother’s bank account, and when Margaret Craig found out, an argument ensued that led to the defendant killing her mother. On May 23, 2023, Hardy, who testified against her mother during the trial, told investigators she heard her grandmother’s scream in the basement before Craig warned her to stay away from the victim’s room. The next day, Hardy found her grandmother in a bin with a trash bag over her head.

Then, Craig instructed Hardy to help dispose of her grandmother’s body by purchasing a chainsaw, gasoline, charcoal, and a lighter before dismembering her body and grilling it over a bonfire. However, neighbors contacted the fire department. As a result, Craig placed the rest of the remains in trash bags.

“When you’re talking about your elderly parents, as they get older, it’s our duty as children to protect our parents, and certainly our duty to not murder them and to then dispose of them in such a gruesome way,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Garth, reported WTOP News.

Hardy, who has a developmental disability, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. She was sentenced to time served and five years probation.

The judge sentenced Craig to an additional three years for tampering with evidence and one year for disposing of the body in an unauthorized location.

On Saturday, around 5 pm, Burlington Police Department responded to the 300 Block of Angular Street, Apartment 27, in Burlington, Iowa, where they found an unidentified man who was unresponsive with a single stab wound. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, reported KWQC.

At the time, 49-year-old Bounds was also present at the residence, and investigators later connected her to the homicide.

As a result, the defendant was charged with first-degree murder, and she is currently being held without bond while waiting for a court appearance.

The motive for the killing is still unknown, and the investigation is still ongoing.

A San Jacinto County District Court judge handed Francisco Oropeza a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 8. To avoid the death penalty, Oropeza pleaded guilty to capital murder after the victim’s family gave prosecutors the approval to offer the defendant a plea deal.

"The consensus was that a plea without parole would spare the trauma and risk of a trial while assuring that Oropeza will suffer the consequences of his actions until he dies," said District Attorney Todd Dillon, according to ABC 13.

Around midnight on April 28, 2023, officers responded along the 100 Block of Walters Road after reports of multiple shootings. According to prosecutors, Oropeza had been shooting an AR-15 rifle at his home when another neighbor, Wilson Garcia, who survived the ordeal, asked the defendant to desist from shooting and scaring the child at their home. Enraged, Oropeza loaded the rifle, forced his way into their home, and started shooting the occupants before fleeing the scene.

After four days, border patrol agents in Conroe found the defendant at the home of his girlfriend, Divimara Nava, and his aunt, hiding under a load of laundry. Oropeza, who had previously been deported four times between 2009 and 2016, was immediately placed in custody.   

“He is not eligible for deportation. He is not eligible for anything. He will stay in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice until he breathes his last breath,” said Dillon, reported NBC News.

Oropeza’s lawyer, Anthony Osso Sr., told several media outlets that the tension between Oropeza and his neighbors had been brewing for a while before the fatal incident.

On Dec. 10, 2018, around 4 am, Roberts, who worked for the Lee County School District as a bus attendant, was on her way to work when she was gunned down. Two hours later, Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2000 block of Quentin Avenue South, in Lehigh Acres, Florida, where they found the victim’s body in her driveway.

Upon investigation of the crime scene, investigators determined the murder was intentional since nothing on her body was missing, there was no sign of entry by anyone into the home, and her car was not touched or stolen.

“It wasn’t random, it was someone she knew. You didn’t take her purse, you didn’t steal her car. You just gunned her down. Probably stood over her to make sure the job was done, then you walked away,” said the victim’s elder sister Sharlonda Wilson, according to Gulf Coast.  

Roberts had just bought the house in Lehigh Acres, Florida, a few weeks before her demise.

Despite several manhours, canvassing the neighborhood, and following up on leads, authorities hit a wall. As a result, the investigation went cold.

“We know that people have talked amongst themselves about this case, but we’ve yet to receive the anonymous tip that can move it closer to an arrest,” said Crime Stoppers Manager Trish Routte, reported Lehigh Acres Citizen.

Recently, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has dedicated two retired deputy chiefs, an FBI special agent, and a couple of other homicide detectives to solve the cold case murder. In addition, Williams, who is now working with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in the property and evidence unit has made it her calling to help others and find her sister’s killer.

Family members described Roberts as a private person who was focused on her professional career and family life. She is survived by four daughters, ages 21, 22, 25, and 27.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) -477-1000. You can also remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward by calling Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780 -TIPS (8477).

On Feb. 20, around 12:45 am, Cincinnati Police Department responded to the 1600 Block of Pasadena Avenue in College Hill after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Hyde suffering from multiple gunshots. Despite life-saving measures provided by first responders at the scene, the victim succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the Cincinnati Medical Center, reported the New York Post.

A few hours before the fatal incident, the victim was charged with domestic violence after Joyce’s mother filed a police report accusing the victim of attacking her. According to authorities, the couple had been involved in a heated argument as they drove to a store along the 1700 Block of Elmore Street in South Cuminsville after Hyde called her a vulgar name. The defendant’s mother told the police Hyde started punching her repeatedly in the face while driving and had visible injuries to her face.

Later, Joyce retrieved a firearm from a safe at the home the couple shared, waited for the victim, and shot him 12 times. The teen was arrested and charged with murder later in the day.

“There was obviously something going on in the young man’s head that a court could take into consideration in sentencing and probably would, said Legal Analyst Mike Allen, according to FOX19 NOW.

Hyde was a known entity to law enforcement officers. The victim was charged with assault and criminal damages in 2017 after assaulting another woman. He was reported to have bitten her on the forearm, kicked down her door, and destroyed her TV at a residence in Lower Price Hill.  However, the woman refused medical treatment, and the charges were dropped.

Joyce is currently being held at a juvenile detention center while prosecutors determine whether to try him as an adult. Hyde and Joyce’s mother were co-parents of two children, including Joyce.

A Raleigh County Circuit Court Special Judge, H.L. Kirkpatrick, handed Natalie Cochran a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of her 38-year-old husband, Michael Cochran. After almost two hours of deliberation, Natalie Cochran was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

The sentence stemmed from a federal wire fraud and money laundering charge in which the defendant pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering in 2020 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. In 2017, the couple registered a company called Tactical Solutions Group (TSG), which was designed for commercial weapons trade with the U.S. government and contract bids for other products. At the time, Natalie Cochran, who had quit her job as a pharmacist and was a majority shareholder in TSG, had received six-figure investment funds from family and friends.

“Natalie Cochran was a puppet master. She had everybody dancing at the bottom of their little strings,” said Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman, according to 59 News.

While the couple’s lifestyle suddenly took a lavish turn, with the purchase of three homes, exotic cars, and motorcycles, an investigation into $15,000 missing from a middle school baseball league ensued. Soon, investors started asking Natalie Cochran for their money back, but they were told the government was delaying payments and she was undergoing cancer treatment.

Later, authorities discovered there were no government contracts or bids, and unbeknown to investors, early investors received false profit earnings from new investors’ payments.

On Feb. 6, 2019, both Michael and Natalie Cochran were scheduled to fly to Virginia for a meeting with Bank of America representatives when the defendant alerted their friends her husband was unconsciously ill with the flu. Despite friends urging her to take Michael Cochran to the hospital, she refused for several hours. At the hospital, it was determined that the victim had suffered cerebral edema with a dangerously high level of glucose. Michael Cochran was pronounced dead 5 days later.

Months later, during the investigation and a search of the couple’s home, they found a vial of insulin. As a result, authorities exhumed Michael Cochran’s body for testing. According to prosecutors, Michael Cochran was unaware of his wife’s Ponzi scheme, and Natalie Cochran had injected him with a high dosage of insulin, which led to his death, to cover her secret. In addition, after Michael Cochran’s death, the defendant had arranged to sell half of Tactical Solutions Group for $ 4 million.

Six months into her 11-year sentence for federal wire fraud and money laundering, Natalie Cochran was indicted for murder.   

"It would hurt a lot less for this to have been someone that I didn't know that had scammed me out of money. It would hurt a lot less knowing that I was already wounded from my husband passing away and my kids the same," said an investor, Toni McCall, reported ABC News.

Natalie Cochran is the first woman in West Virginia’s history convicted of murder not to receive a recommendation for mercy. Kirkpatrick ordered her to pay $2.5 million restitution to the victims.   

On Jan. 30, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple’s home in Greensboro after Diane Foster found her husband’s unresponsive body. However, an autopsy report showed the victim suffered from unexplained injuries, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. As a result of more detailed investigations by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), authorities determined that the 60-year-old Diane Foster was culpable in Joe Foster’s demise.

Diane Foster was arrested and charged with malice, murder, and exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult. The defendant is being incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.

The investigation remains active, and the motive for the killing is currently unknown.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Greene County Sheriff’s Office at 706-453-3351 or the GBI regional investigative office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173.

Grand Traverse County prosecutors charged the unidentified suspect with an open murder while they decide if it’s first-degree or second-degree murder, according to CBS News.

On April 27, 1989, the Grand Traverse County Police Department responded to the Hoosier Valley, where Meteer’s body was found a week after she was reported missing. At the time, her death was ruled as a homicide, and investigators followed up on every lead till they hit a dead end. As a result, the case went cold.

However, in 2024, Grand Traverse County prosecutors, in collaboration with the Michigan State Police Crime Lab and the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program, reopened the case. The university’s students helped digitize the case file and evidence collected 36 years ago. In addition, authorities hoped advanced DNA technology would be instrumental in cracking the case.

Then, on Feb. 18, investigators tracked down the unidentified suspect in Leelanau County, which borders Grand Traverse County. So far, authorities are keeping mum about the evidence that led to the suspect's arrest and his identity.

A Clark County judge sentenced Yoni Barrios, 34, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 30-year-old Maris Mareen Digiovanni and 47-year-old Canadian Brent Allan Hallett, who was in Las Vegas on holiday. To avoid the death penalty, Barrios pleaded guilty to two counts of murder but mentally ill, attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon, one count of an act of terrorism, and several other charges.

On the morning of Oct.6, 2022, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 3100 Block of South Las Vegas Boulevard near the Wynn Las Vegas casino after reports of several stabbings. Upon arrival, the defendant was arrested after a short chase.

According to prosecutors, the defendant approached a group of showgirls impersonators and asked if he could take a picture with them while dressed as a chef. When some of them backed away, Barrios thought the girls were laughing at him before he drew a knife and stabbed Digiovanni to death. Then, the defendant ran along the sidewalk, stabbing others, including Hallett, who was celebrating his early retirement, traveling around the world with his wife, and was just a few days away from returning to Alberta, Canada, reported Global News.

Barrios was a known entity to California and Las Vegas law enforcement agencies after he was charged with domestic violence in 2019 in Las Vegas. However, the case was dismissed in 2021. The stabbing spree and fatal incident caught the attention of the then Presidential Candidate Dold J. Trump, who derided the Democrats for allowing someone like Barrios, who was an unauthorized immigrant, to walk free in their sanctuary cities.

“You can’t walk down a street in a Democrat-run city without being shot, or mugged or knifed,” said Trump, reported The New York Times.

Barrios’ defense lawyer, Mr. Scott Coffee, described his client’s violent act as a result of his mental illness, which led to paranoia.

The defendant was initially declared unfit to stand trial and receiving treatment until six weeks before his sentencing.

Hallett’s wife set up an animal welfare charity that focuses on rabbits in his memory.

On Sunday, around 3:30 pm, the Gaston County Police Department responded to a home on Mistywood Drive, off Kelly Road, in Mount Holly to perform a welfare check on the occupant. Upon arrival, officers found Bentley unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Queen City News, Wall, who was at the residence, fled the scene, but K-9 units soon tracked him down, and the defendant was arrested.

The motive for the killing and the cause of death is yet to be disclosed while the investigation is ongoing.

Wall is currently incarcerated at the Gaston County Jail and held without bond.

Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the case to call Det. M. Rheinson at 704-866-3320 or CrimeStoppers at 704-861-8000.

British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Terence Schultes sentenced Tanner Fox, 24, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Sikh businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik,75. Fox pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, reported BBC.

On July 14, 2022, Fox, with an accomplice and co-defendant, Jose Lopez, drove to Malik’s business on 128th Street in Surrey, where they waited for the victim. Upon Malik’s arrival, both men approached the victim’s vehicle and fatally shot him seven times at close range before fleeing the scene in a Honda CRV. Then, the defendants burnt the CRV in a nearby laneway before switching to an Infinity vehicle to evade authorities.

However, investigators were able to track both Fox and Lopez to their residences, where they found a backpack with masks, gloves, and two firearms with magazines in it. DNA of both men was on the gloves and masks, and ballistic analysis matched firearms as the murder weapons used in the fatal incident.

Furthermore, authorities found $16,485 in cash at Lopez’s residence and both defendants' phones, which contained video footage of several $100 bills.

During the sentencing hearing, Fox apologized to Malik’s family but failed to disclose who hired him and financed the assassination despite several pleas from the victim’s family.

“I know nothing I say will bring him back. I’m sorry for the role I played in this crime. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel remorse for my actions. Three years ago, I was young, and I’ve grown to see the error of my ways,” said Fox, according to Vancouver Sun.

Malik and his co-defendant, Ajaib Singh Bagri, in 2005 were charged with murder in the 1985 Air India airline that was bombed off the Irish coast, killing all 329 people onboard the aircraft. A second bomb blast killed two baggage handlers in Japan. The fatal incident was considered Canada’s deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history. At the time, Malik, who was a supporter of the separatist Khalistan movement, was tried and acquitted of murder. 

Lopez also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.  Fox will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

An Orange County judge handed Shaun Engram, 29, a life term in prison for the shooting death of 34-year-old retired U.S. Army Corporal Joseph William Torres. Engram was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder with a firearm.

Around 2:30 am on May 2, 2021, Orlando Police Department officers who had been securing the downtown corridor along the intersection of East Central Boulevard and North Orange Avenue responded to gunshots two blocks from the Orange County Courthouse.  Upon arrival, they found the victim with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.

Torres had just bought some food and was heading back to his car through a crowd of sidewalk pedestrians. Then, Engram, angry that the victim cut through, insulted Torres, followed by a heated argument between both men, according to WESH 2. A fight ensued, with Torres punching Engram, then the defendant pulled out a handgun and fatally shot the victim four times.

Later, authorities retrieved surveillance video footage that captured moments that led to the violent altercation. As a result, they identified Engram as the shooter, and the defendant was arrested three days later.

During the sentencing hearing, Engram apologized to the court for his actions but insisted his act was in self-defense based on Florida's stand-your-ground law.

However, the jury didn’t buy it.

That same day, Torres, a father of three, had planned to celebrate his daughter’s fifth birthday, reported WFTV.

Baccus is charged with murder, felonious assault, and domestic violence.

Around midnight on Wednesday, the Canton Police Department responded to the 1900 block of 2nd Street SW after receiving a call about a shooting, according to News 5 Cleveland. Upon arrival, they found Hawkins bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest before administering first aid to the victim while waiting for the arrival of the Canton Fire Department.

Hawkins was rushed to Aultman Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Later in the evening, members of the Canton Police Special Investigations Unit and the U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested Baccus in Akron after she was identified as a suspect who resided at the same address as the victim.

Investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, and the motive for the killing remains unknown.

Nevertheless, authorities are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Canton Police Department's detective bureau at (330) 489-3144.

A Nash County Superior Court judge sentenced 74-year-old Patricia Ann Ricks to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the beating death of her 8-year-old granddaughter Christal Lane. Ricks pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and felony child abuse in order to avoid the death penalty.

“There will never be justice with this because it was an 8-year-old. And that’s something that touches the community and especially people that knew this fine little girl,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone, according to Law and Crime.

On Feb. 7, 2023, officers responded to the defendant's home, where they found Lane unresponsive with blunt force trauma to her head and body. However, the young girl died on the way to the hospital despite first responders’ efforts to administer life-saving measures.

According to investigators, Lane, who lived in the same home with four other siblings, was beaten with a plunger and tased. Authorities reported that the beating took place in the master bedroom and the bathroom, with lots of blood around. However, Ricks' defense team claimed the act was unintentional and claimed the defendant was off her medication at the time of the fatal incident.

During the sentencing hearing, Ricks, who was teary-eyed and emotional, further claimed she loved all her grandchildren, who are between the ages of 3 and 15 when their parents didn’t want them.

Prosecutors, in a rebuttal, described a pattern of abuse by neighbors and her teachers at Cooper's Elementary School after Lane came to school beaten up and unrecognizable.  At the time, the young girl told authorities Ricks had beaten her because she failed to put lotion on her body.

Though the case was reported to the Department of Social Services (DSS) after the school incident, the case worker assigned to Lane’s case left her in her grandmother’s care.

"These were heinous acts, but positives came out of them. This did cause turmoil in the county but caused a lot of reflection internally in our agency as well as DSS and [the] school system," said Detective Sgt. Kevin Bissette reported WRAL News.

The defendant’s son, Fredrick Lane, and the victim’s father, along with other church members, were reportedly shocked and claimed that Rick's behavior was out of character.

Since the incident, the state has taken over DSS, replaced its leadership and hired a new director.

A U.S. district judge handed Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, aka German Alexander Ramirez Lopez, Buky, and Desquiciado, six life sentences for the brutal murders of rival gang members and associates believed to have betrayed the gang.

"This case is a stark reminder of the violence and disregard for human life inherent in MS-13's criminal enterprise. Their deadly activities, from flooding our streets with dangerous narcotics to the brutal murders by which they attempt to impose their presence, will not go unchecked," said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica D. Aber, reported Newsweek.

On Aug. 25, 2018, according to prosecutors, the 27-year-old Alas Candray and other members of the gang, with directive and approval from the MS-13 leadership in El Salvador, beat and strangled an associate of MS-13's Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, simply known as K.A.C. Then, they dismembered his body and put the remains in a thrash bag before burying it in a wooded area in Bedford, Massachusetts. As a result, Alas Candray moved up the leadership ladder in the organization.

Over a year later, the defendant, again with other members of the gang, ambushed a group of individuals who met to drink in a wooded area in Reston, Virginia, that the defendant’s crew believed to be on their territory. Armed with a 9mm firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and two machetes, Alas Candray and his members slashed and killed an individual named J.L.G.M.

On Sept. 17, 2020, the defendant and other members brutally killed a young woman known as I.J.P.G along Colts Neck Road in Reston, Virginia. Alas, Candray believed the woman was affiliated with a rival group after she disparaged the gang on social media. As a result, the victim was lured to the crime scene, where the defendant and others took turns to shoot her in the face.

Alas Candray continued his violent acts over the next two years, involving four other brutal homicides which led a federal jury to convict the defendant of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, five counts of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, five counts of murder in aid of racketeering, and three counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The judge ordered Alas Candray to serve all six life terms concurrently. 

The two defendants were charged with capital murder, according to FOX 26.

Around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to a home along the 4700 Block of 15th Street in Bacliff after receiving calls for a welfare check from the victim’s neighbor. Upon arrival, they found King deceased with a gunshot wound.

Soon, authorities declared Tara King, who is the victim’s granddaughter, and her boyfriend Urick as persons of interest and later as suspects in the homicide.  The couple was located in Laredo, Texas, and taken into custody.  

The case is still ongoing, and the motive for the killing is still unknown.

Tara King was enrolled as a student at Dickinson High School, while Urick lived with the Kings.

On Jan. 31, a Sarasota judge sentenced Akeleis Dumbar, 25, and Carlos Herrera, 22, to life in prison for the shooting of Jamari Williams. After a 10-day trial, the defendants were found guilty and convicted of first-degree attempted murder with a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm causing great bodily harm, shooting at or into an occupied vehicle, and shooting at or into an occupied dwelling.

“The strength and resiliency of Jamari Williams and his family is unparalleled. While no amount of time will ever fully restore Mr. Williams, the jury’s verdict and Court’s sentence provided the justice he and his family deserved,” said Assistant State Attorney Megan Leaf, reported 10 Tampa Bay.

Around 3 am on Nov. 23, 2022, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office responded to the 1100 Block of Grantham Drive after several reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found 31-year-old Williams slumped in the driver's seat of his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. Soon, first responders rushed the victim to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he was immediately operated on. Williams survived the ordeal despite the bullets tearing up his liver and small intestines and lodged in his brain, causing paralysis to his right side.

According to Patch, Dumbar and Herrera snuck into the victim's neighborhood and waited for Williams to return home. 40 minutes later, upon the victim's arrival and parking his car, the defendants drove close to Williams before firing 17 rounds of bullets into him and fleeing the scene. 

Later, investigators retrieved video footage from a neighbor’s security camera that showed a white SUV with tinted windows driving slowly to the victim’s house. Authorities discovered the SUV was a rental linked to both men. In addition, forensic analysis of the bullet casings and fingerprints also linked Dumbar and Herrera to the crime.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear.

“While nothing can ever undo the pain of this tragic loss, we hope this outcome brings some measure of peace to her family and all who cared for her,” said New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan, according to The Sacramento Bee.

On Dec. 22, Hughes’ body was reportedly found by John Tyrrell before authorities responded to a forest area of Dennis Township, southeast of Philadelphia. They discovered the victim’s remains in a refrigerator that was wrapped in a sleeping bag with blue ratchet straps and covered with carpet.

During the investigation, authorities discovered the victim was Blevins’ girlfriend, and during a search of his residence, similar blue straps used to secure the refrigerator, a gun, and other evidence were found. In addition, authorities used a license plate reader to capture records of the defendant’s green Dodge Ram transporting a "refrigerator-shaped object" within two days in July.

The motive for the killing still remains unclear, and the investigation is still active.

Tyrell was later charged with obstruction of justice after he refused to give investigators his phone.

Blevins is also charged with disturbing and desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension in connection with the investigation.

If anyone has information regarding the case, contact the New Jersey State Police.

A Lod District Court handed Daniel Keidar a life term in prison for the shooting death of real estate developer Eldad Peri. After his trial, Keidar was found guilty and convicted of murder.

On Oct. 15, 2021, police officers responded to the parking lot of a synagogue in nearby Rehovot, where they found Peri’s body riddled with gunshot wounds. The victim had been shot seven times at point-blank range after Peri attended a morning service at the synagogue. Keidar was seen fleeing the scene on a motorcycle, reported The Jerusalem Post.

According to prosecutors, Keidar had invested NIS 2.2 million ($608,275) to purchase two apartment units from the victim’s project in Lod. However, Keidar lost millions of shekels after Peri’s company was declared insolvent by debtors who petitioned the court because the project had gone bust. As a result, the court ordered a rehabilitation plan that would mandate Keidar to put up another NIS 1.4 million ($412,000) for the two apartments.

Angry about the outcome, the defendant stalked the victim, mapping out his routine. The 66-year-old Keidar, who was a registered gun owner with no criminal record and a grandfather of six, had made threats against Peri via social media prior to the fatal incident.

“I am shocked and still have a hard time digesting the impudence and stupidity… about 2.5 million shekels, 200%, went down the drain. When will you internalize that talk won’t help. When you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk. Haven’t I already warned you not to mess with me?” Keidar wrote while posing with a picture of him holding a gun, reported The Times of Israel.

During the trial, the defendant claimed he was not at the crime scene when Peri was fatally shot. However, authorities found a gun registered to Keidar at his home and a motorcycle, which forensics analysis later tied to the crime scene. In addition, investigators found out the defendant had visited the crime scene several times three days before the fatal incident.

Keidar was ordered to pay a restitution of NIS 258,000 ($71,300) to Peri’s family.

Dekalb Superior Court Chief Judge Shondeana Morris sentenced Danny Hunter to life in prison for the shooting death of 40-year-old Kateasha Cardell. Hunter was found guilty and convicted of felony murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault.

"This senseless act of violence has left a family grieving and has forever altered lives," stated DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, reported FOX 5.

Around 4 pm, on Sept. 22, 2021, police officers responded to unincorporated Decatur on Dove Valley Road, where they found Cardell with a gunshot wound to the neck. The victim was rushed to Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, where she succumbed to her wounds. According to WCTV, Cardell and her fiancée Karlo Dupree, 48, had been involved in a heated exchange with their landlord after the defendant’s father shut off their utilities in an attempt to force them off his property. Furthermore, Cardwell discovered some discrepancies in her bank account due to alleged charges by the landlord.

As the couple argued with the landlord, the 34-year-old Hunter went into their home, retrieved a revolver, and shot Cardwell before shooting at Dupree, who fled the scene in his car and sought help at the Dekalb County jail. Soon,  the defendant was arrested after claiming he shot Cardwell in self-defense. However, authorities found no evidence the couple were armed or posed a security to Hunter or his father.

Cardwell is survived by two children.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the North family during this incredibly difficult time. We are dedicated to pursuing justice and bringing them the closure they deserve," says Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner, reported FOX 54.

On Feb. 1, around 8 pm, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Circle K gas station on Harvest Road, near the intersection of Harvest Road and Wall Triana Hwy, after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found North’s body with a gunshot wound, and she was declared dead on the scene by first responders.

Witnesses told investigators Williams had walked into the gas station counter and shot North, who was an employee working at the time of the shooting. Soon, authorities found the defendant near the crime scene and placed him in custody for questioning before placing the defendant under arrest.

Williams was reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe depression by two different mental hospitals. However, prior to the shooting, he was not deemed a risk to himself or others.

North is survived by a husband and a 4-year-old son.

Cass County District Court Judge Nicholas Chase handed Spencer Moen a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the beating death of 30-year-old Sonja Moen. After a five-day trial, a jury found Moen guilty and convicted him of Class AA Felony Murder, according to KXLG 99.1.

On Aug. 10, officers and EMT officials responded to the Mapleton home the couple shared after receiving a 911 call from the defendant. Upon arrival, they found Sonja’s body in the bathtub, and she was declared dead at the scene.

The violent altercation that led to the fatal incident stemmed from the 32-year-old Moen’s drinking escapade a day prior.   According to prosecutors, the defendant had been drinking the whole day while playing golf at a tournament and patronizing a brewery in Mapleton. After becoming a nuisance at the establishment and the bartender refusing to serve him more alcohol, Moen called his wife to get a ride home.

The next day, before calling 911, Moen took his children to daycare and then called Kristin Scofield, Sonja’s mother. An autopsy report indicated the victim’s cause of death was due to subdermal hemorrhage with a midline shift of the brain.

During the investigation, authorities found video footage on the defendant’s phone that showed Sonja lying on her side in the bathtub, still alive, making bubbling sounds before Moen shouted his wife’s name as the video went off.  

During the trial, the couple’s children testified they saw the defendant beat their mother. Nevertheless, Moen’s defense lawyer, Richard Varriano, argued Sonja had also been drinking while the couple were fighting, which caused a fatal blow to her head when she fell. As a result, Varriano asked the judge to sentence the defendant to 25 years while lifting a no-contact order imposed on Moen.

The judge disagreed!

"At some point, you could have called 911. I don't believe you woke up that morning intending to do that, but at the same time, it's reality to consider how many opportunities you had to just stop and call for help," said Chase during the sentencing hearing, reported Inforum.

Moen wept as he apologized to the family.

On Jan. 26, Dawkins and another friend had been walking along South Chester Street near Los Arcos when the defendant fired several shots and fatally struck the victim three times in the back before firing at his friend, who was injured and survived the ordeal.

According to family members, the victim had been caring for his ailing mother, who had lost her leg. Dawkins was reported to have been running an errand for his mother when the fatal incident occurred. Furthermore, Simpson was a known entity to the victim’s family members. The defendant had harassed and threatened Dawkins in school previously.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

“Just his smile. Just to look at him and he’s smiling and he was one of the happiest kids in the world. He didn’t deserve to be shot down like that. He wasn’t that type of kid. I just want to know why. What made you want to do that,” said the victim’s grandmother, Eveleana Dawkins, reported WCCB Charlotte.

Both boys attended Ashbrook High School, where Dawkins played football.

Simpson was denied a bail bond during his arraignment, and then the defendant started sobbing and collapsed.  

The defendant is being charged as an adult under the new state law, which makes exceptions in violent cases such as Dawkins’ homicide.

United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen handed Marvin Pippins, a.k.a. “Mukk, a life term in federal prison for the brutal and shooting death of Sean Peart. After a 3 week's trial, Pippins was found guilty and convicted by a jury of racketeering conspiracy, murder conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, drug conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm, and other charges.

“Marvin Pippins will deservedly spend the rest of his life in prison for this cold-blooded murder, undertaken in service of a years-long gang war. Pippins committed predatory and deadly crimes on behalf of a violent street gang that, for years, polluted the streets with drugs, preyed on unsuspecting victims of financial fraud, and subjected rivals and innocent civilians alike to acts of violence.  My Office is focused on dismantling violent criminal organizations, and today’s sentence should send a message that the most serious of crimes will be met with the most serious of consequences,” said Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Carolyn Pokorny, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Dec. 19, 2015,  Pippins, who was resolved to avenge the murder of his brother, Melvin Pippins, a.k.a. “Melly,”  had spotted Peart, a member of a rival gang “Real Ryte,” sitting in a car outside the Weeksville Gardens housing development on Dean Street. Unbeknownst to the unarmed victim, the defendant approached Peart and shot him multiple times. Though the victim attempted to flee the scene, Peart crashed his vehicle and succumbed to his injuries.

An autopsy report showed the victim was shot 6 times. According to prosecutors, Pippins believed Peart was responsible for his brother’s death and bragged to his fellow gang members, admitting he killed the victim. Furthermore, Pippins, in rap lyrics, described the details of the homicide, referring to the victim “hanging out the window” and giving him “shot after shot.”

However, authorities discovered Peart had been in California when Melvin was killed, reported Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

Chen sentenced Pippin to an additional concurrent 30 years for the racketeering conspiracy charge and 5 years consecutively for the unlawful possession of a firearm charge.  

Rigsbee is charged with one count of murder after the defendant’s mother called 911 to report her son had killed Dills and was afraid Rigsbee, who had PTSD, might harm himself.  

On Jan. 24, Dothan Police Department responded to a home along the 4000 block of Mance Newton Road, where they found the victim’s body with a single shot to her upper body. Crime scene investigators believe the murder weapon was a high-caliber firearm, reported WSFA.

Later, officers arrived to arrest Rigsbee’s mother’s home in Jack, Alabama, when he fled through the rear of the house before he surrendered after six hours of negotiations via Rigsbee’s cell phone.  

Though the 31-year-old defendant has no criminal history, Rigsbee had a domestic violence history. The defendant was a known entity to authorities after his ex-wife filed a protection order against the defendant before the divorce was finalized in 2022.  The ex-wife, who remains unidentified, had accused Rigsbee of slapping and choking her in front of their children.

The defendant is currently being held without bond at the Dale County Jail.

Lafayette County Circuit Judge Mario White sentenced Shannon C. Bussan to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the beating death of 83-year-old Lynne I. Montgomery. After four hours of deliberation, Bussan was convicted by a jury of first-degree intentional homicide.

“What we have here is a defendant who committed the worst crime you can commit and who takes no accountability for it despite being caught seven ways to Sunday,” said District Attorney Morgan Johanning, reported The Galena Gazette.

On Feb. 27, 2023, Montgomery was found in her home along the 5000 Block of Carr Factory Road unconscious with multiple blunt force injuries to her upper body. Initially, authorities ruled the death as an accident and approved the body to be sent to the funeral home for burial preparations. However, family members raised the alarm after they discovered notes incriminating the defendant and observed that Montgomery’s heavy safe had been moved.

As a result, investigators analyzed the note and discovered the victim had been afraid of Bussan and wanted to alert family members of the defendant's threats.

“Help, Shannon is hurting me, she dragged me to the basement to get in my safe,” reportedly stated Montgomery, according to The Monroe Times.

Furthermore, authorities found Bussan’s blood and fingerprints on the safe, with her DNA on Montgomery’s fingernails.

At the time of the fatal incident, it was reported that Bussan was with her children in the house when she assaulted the children’s great-grandmother. After her conviction, the court revoked her $1 million cash bond and immediately placed the defendant in custody.

The 31-year-old Bussan will be eligible for parole after serving 22 years.

At the same time, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) had responded to the driveway of a home on Silver Street in the Springfield neighborhood of Jacksonville, where they found Harrell’s body, according to Project: Cold Case. An autopsy later showed the victim had died of blunt force trauma and several gunshot wounds.

Despite several leads and tips from the neighborhood, authorities were unable to identify a suspect. In addition, Harrell’s family had tried seeking information from the public by putting up flyers and billboard signs in the neighborhood close to the crime scene. As a result, the case went cold.

Harrell’s sister, Michelle Harrell, who is now a detective with the JSO’s crime scene unit, is resolved to solve her brother’s murder and provide closure for the family.

“I was very close with my brother and my other siblings as well. We’re a close-knit family. He made my childhood exciting and fun, I want his case solved. It’s something that he deserves. My family and I want to continue to advocate for him and get the word out and let those that were involved or even know anything about it that we’re still here,” said Michelle Harrell, reported News4Jax.

If anyone has information that could help solve this cold case, contact JSO at (904) 630-0500. To remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward, call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).

On Tuesday, Jan.21, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to Little Rock apartments along the 5700 block of Leake Street after reports of a domestic shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Boyd suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures by paramedics, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to WBTV, 30-year-old Sinclair was identified as the suspect in connection to the shooting and immediately arrested afterward. Later, investigators interviewed the defendant while Sinclair was held without bond at the Mecklenburg County jail.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone to call 704-432-TIPS or an anonymous tip by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

In March 1977, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) found Momohara’s body laid on her back, which had been partially clothed, at McKinley High School in Honolulu, according to KHON2. Furthermore, authorities discovered an orange cloth wrapped around her neck with an autopsy report that showed Momohara's cause of death was due to strangulation. Investigators retrieved some bodily fluid from the victim’s body and preserved it.

During the investigation, authorities had interviewed several people, including Castro, who claimed he knew the victim from a school dance. At the time, a man told police officers he and his girlfriend had seen an Asian-looking man exiting the ground-floor staircase entrance at the high school at night. The witnesses described the suspect as a late teen with his hair combed backward, driving a two-toned two-door vehicle.

Despite several manhours and prospective leads, authorities hit a brick wall, and the case went cold.

In 2019, a DNA profile was developed by the HPD Forensics lab, which identified the defendant and his brother four years later as possible suspects. However, Castro was a direct match after investigators compared the profile with the defendant’s brother’s child, therefore excluding the defendant’s brother.

Castro is charged with second-degree murder and is currently awaiting extradition to Honolulu, reported Hawaii News Now.

Vaughn is charged with murder, armed robbery, pointing a firearm, and felony firearm enhancement.

Around 8:45 pm on Jan. 15, the Mishawaka Police Department responded to the 200 Block of N. Indiana Avenue, where they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures by first responders, Gallegos was pronounced dead at the scene. A few hours later, authorities arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection to the murder and transported him to the Juvenile Justice Center. Two days later, 17-year-old Vaughn was arrested.

The 14-year-old, whose identity is currently sealed due to his age, is charged with murder, armed robbery, pointing a firearm, and dangerous possession of a firearm at a juvenile court, according to WNDU.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the investigation is still ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, contact the Mishawaka Police Detective Bureau at 574-258-1684 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-STOP.

Swansea Crown Court Judge Geraint Walters handed Christopher Cooper, 39, a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the beating death of 64-year-old Kelvin Evans. After a two-week trial, Cooper was found guilty and convicted of murder, though the defendant only admitted manslaughter.

"Kelvin Evans should have been able to return home safely to his family following a night out on a Sunday night in May last year. Instead, his family will never be able to forget that night. I hope that they receive some comfort from today’s sentencing and that they can now begin to grieve the loss of Kelvin, said South Wales Police detective inspector David Butt, according to Wales Online.

On May 26, Cooper’s girlfriend and co-defendant Tracy Francis performed in a karaoke session at a local pub called The Gyp while Evans and his partner watched and chatted simultaneously. However, the defendant felt the victim had been making fun of his girlfriend when he followed Evans as he left the pub and punched him in the back of the head.

Immediately, the victim became unconscious and fell to the ground. Though Evans was rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries a month later. Cooper, who had several 23 prior violent convictions, fled the scene boasting about his fist and calling them “these bad boys.” The next day, the couple were arrested at a service station.

During the trial, Cooper claimed Evans had threatened to glass his girlfriend because of her karaoke performance but declined to show any evidence of it. In addition, prosecutors submitted video footage that captured the fatal incident with no evidence indicating any aggression from the victim.

“You perceived this to be about Tracy Francis voice as she used the karaoke machine. It festered in your mind from that moment onwards and that was enough to trigger the intent. As an act of revenge, nobody was going to sleight you or anybody connected with you without paying a price for it,” said Walters during the sentencing hearing, reported to Mail Online.

On the other hand, Francis was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the murder. The prosecution established she had knowledge of the attack and refused to call the police. In addition, Francis’ phone records showed she searched for hotels immediately after the assault in an attempt to help Evans hide from authorities.

Evans's family described him as a kind-hearted individual who loved helping those in need and taking trips in his camper with relatives. He is survived by his 92-year-old mother, Maureen.

Though Cooper will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 16 years, he told the judge to “Go **** yourself.”

Orange County Circuit Judge Michael Kraynick handed Sarah Boone, 47, a life term in prison for the suffocating death of her 42-year-old Jorge Torres. After 90 minutes of deliberation, Boone was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder.

On the morning of Feb. 24, 2020, officers responded to the couple's Winter Park residence after receiving a 911 distress call from the defendant. Upon arrival, they found Torres unresponsive and pronounced him dead at the scene.  

According to prosecutors, on Feb. 23, 2020, Boone and Torres had been intoxicated while playing hide-and-seek. Then, the couple thought it could be funny if Torres, who was about 5 feet 2 inches tall, could fit in a suitcase. Soon after, the victim voluntarily climbed into the suitcase, and Boone zipped him up. The defendant told authorities she had forgotten Torres in the suitcase and went to sleep, believing the victim was capable of setting himself free from the zipped suitcase.

During the trial, Boone claimed the fatal incident was due to self-defense. The defendant testified she had suffered abuse at the hands of Torres, who had allegedly beaten, raped, and stabbed her in the past. However, Investigators found video footage on Boone’s phone that showed Torres begging to be released and telling Boone he couldn’t breathe. The victim had successfully placed his hands outside of the suitcase when Boones picked up a baseball bat and hit Torres until he withdrew his hands.

“Yeah that’s what you do when you choke me. Oh, that’s what I feel like when you cheat on me,” said Boone on the video, reported AP.

Boone had turned down a plea bargain to serve 15 years for a lower charge of manslaughter contingent upon the defendant accepting responsibility for the homicide and expressing remorse. Hence, prosecutors asked the judge for the maximum sentence applicable, and the judge agreed.

Boone’s defense team petitioned the court for a new trial, claiming prosecutorial misconduct. Kraynick denied the request.  

“Everyone had to sit through her very long rant. She victimized not only the victim but also the family, the prosecutors and the cops. How about just saying you screwed up? That would have maybe gotten her closer to the minimum sentence,” said a criminal justice lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, according to News Nation.

Corte was charged with first-degree murder after authorities found Sumba’s body in a dumpster along the 200 Block of S. 3rd Street in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. The victim had been reported missing in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Jan. 9 by family and friends. The next day, an investigation ensued with a search of her home.

“Police officers notified the family that the house was a crime scene, and they were not allowed to stay there until investigations were over. Her children, her family and close friends along with her boss and co-workers were very confused and not understanding what was happening," stated the victim’s family on GoFundMe, according to People.

Later, an autopsy report showed Sumba’s cause of death was due to sharp force injuries. Hence, the victim’s death was ruled a homicide.

Corte is awaiting trial and is currently being held at the Union County Jai. If convicted, the defendant faces a life sentence.

Earlier that day, 17-year-old Samayah had asked Rheanna’s permission to attend a friend’s party with her boyfriend, Benjamin Jimenez.

Soon, the victim called her mother to let her know they were returning home. The couple, with the victim’s cousin Adashia Smith and her friend Camden Painter, crashed into another vehicle that had run the red light at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and Lafayette Street in Fort Wayne, reported Project: Cold Case. Though Smith was driving, she tried to save everyone, while the hit-and-run driver fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle before police officers arrived on the scene.

Samayah died from her injuries, while Jimenez lost his memory about the fatal crash after he recovered a month later from a coma. Smith and Painter were also injured and survived the ordeal.

Though the perpetrators fled, and investigators claimed they retrieved DNA from the vehicle, they still don’t have a suspect or a person of interest, which has brought frustration to the victim’s family.     

“For the longest time they (Fort Wayne police) told us they were waiting on the DNA. How do you not know who did this when they left the car there?,” said Rheanna Lee, according to wane.com.

The victim’s family described Samayah as a hard-working and dedicated individual who enjoyed being outdoors.

If anyone has information that could help solve this cold case, please call the Fort Wayne Police Department at (260)427-1222. To maintain anonymity and possibly be eligible for a reward, contact Crime Stoppers Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers at (260)436-7867.

In June 2023, Elsie was reported missing after she was last seen by neighbors who suspected foul play regarding her disappearance by her 37-year-old husband, Fred Wiggington. Two weeks later, the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office descended on the property the couple shared on 673 Pendleton Drive. Using Cadabra dogs, they found the victim’s remains under a concrete slab on the premises and immediately arrested Fred Wiggington.

According to Law and Crime, Elsie who divorced Fred Wiggington in 2019 after a 14-month marriage, had sent a text to her foster sister and alerted her of death threats from her husband. Fred Wiggington, who had moved back with Patricia Wiggington, admitted to the robbery of Elsie’s home after forging her signature on the title, moved her jewelry and other properties to his ex-wife’s home.

Fred Wiggington was charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a dead body. The act of domestic violence was ruled as the cause of Elsie’s death.

During the investigation, authorities discovered some discrepancies, sought arrest warrants for Patricia Wiggington, and charged her as an accomplice.

“What we learned is domestic violence can go beyond the partners. You know, the partners can have accomplices,” said Elsie’s foster sister, Tracey Coleman, reported WBDJ7.

Patricia Wiggington is awaiting trial and held without bond at the Amherst County Adult Detention Center.

A Tulsa woman will spend decades behind bars for the torture, abuse, and murder of her 10-year-old son.

A Tulsa County judge handed Camille Lewis a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the death of Orlando Hugger Jr. Lewis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, child abuse and neglect, and desecration of a corpse.

Lewis had testified against her husband, John Miles III, who was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for Orlando’s death. During the trial, the defendant described to the jury how Miles tied Orlando and the other kids and locked them in the closet without food for months. In addition, her husband forced the children to stay in doghouses without access to the bathroom.

“With this guilty plea, Camille Lewis is taking responsibility for her role in the horrific abuse and neglect her children suffered, not only at the hands of John Miles but hers as well. Her testimony at John Miles’ trial helped the jury understand the full scope of what the victims endured, especially what happened to Orlando. We’re grateful for the sake of the families that this case is resolved. We hope they can now heal and move forward with their lives,” said Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney Amy Dickens, according to FOX 23.

On March 18, 2021, Lewis testified that Miles had been beating Orlando and throwing him around like a ragdoll before the child became unconscious and suffered a seizure. Though Orlando regained consciousness later, Miles then locked him up in a closet before the couple discovered Orlando was dead an hour later.

According to prosecutors, the couple hid the child’s body for two days in the garage before burying the body in a North Tulsa field. A couple of days later, the defendant and her husband dug Orlando’s body up and burnt it in a metal trashcan before disposing of the ashes in a storm drain.

Lewis initially told investigators Orlando had run away from home but later claimed she lied and participated out of fear because Miles had abused and assaulted her. The couple were arrested in 2023, reported News Channel.

The judge sentenced Lewis to an additional 25 years for the second-degree murder and 7 years for the desecration of a corpse. Lewis was ordered to serve all the sentences concurrently. She will be eligible for release after 35 years in prison and remain on probation for life.

During the wee hours on Dec. 31, the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department (LMPD) responded to the 1600 block of S 13th Street after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Burris at the residence with a gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving measures by first responders, the victim was declared dead at the scene.

The 33-year-old Handley was arrested on Thursday.

According to WLKY, Burris and his girlfriend had been involved in a heated argument when she called some people to help evict the victim from the home. However, when the defendant arrived, a violent altercation ensued between the men before the defendant allegedly shot Burris.

Handley is incarcerated at Metro Corrections, where he is awaiting trial.

A Ravalli County judge sentenced Kraig Walter Benson to 140 years in prison for the shooting death of his wife, Jenny Benson, 49, and Logan Gardner, 43. After three hours of deliberation, Benson was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of deliberate homicide and one count of using a weapon in a violent crime.

On Aug. 27, 2023, officers responded to the Four Aces Bar in Superior, Montana, after reports of a shooting. Prior to the fatal incident, Benson and his wife had been sitting at a table together before the defendant stepped outside the establishment to smoke a cigarette.  According to People, a video footage evidence submitted by prosecutors showed Benson retrieved a handgun from Jenny’s truck after smoking, walked back into the bar, and shot his wife, who was now sitting at the bar where Gardner was bartending, in the head. Then, the defendant shot Gardner as he attempted to retreat, striking him three times and shooting Jenny two more times before he fled the scene in his wife’s truck.

Later officers arrested Benson on Missoula County highway after a witness at the bar followed him and called authorities to inform them of the defendant’s location.

Upon arrival, officers and first responders pronounced Gardner dead at the scene but rushed Jenny to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

During the trial, Kraig testified that Jenny had told him she was not going home with him but going home with Gardner. The defendant also claimed he could not recollect what happened afterward. However, prosecutors submitted phone records from jail where Benson told his friends he wanted to take a paternity test for the couple’s children.

Though Benson apologized for his actions and claimed his lack of recollection was no excuse, he still maintained Jenny was also partly at fault.

“Shooting two people in a bar, with witnesses, are not actions with memory, having no memory is no excuse. At trial, the state made Jenny seem like an angel, a person with no flaws, they were wrong. Since my arrest, through the discovery process, it shows another side of my wife of 22 years,” said Benson during the sentencing hearing, reported NBC Montana.

On Dec. 21, the Danville Police Department responded to the intersection of Collett and Williams Streets, where Jones was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.

Later, authorities were able to gather evidence incriminating Boston as the alleged killer. As a result, on Saturday around 1 am, police officers spotted the defendant sitting in a car along the 1200 Block of N. Bowman Ave, where he was arrested, according to The News-Gazette. The 28-year-old defendant was charged with first-degree murder.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with additional information regarding the case can contact the Danville Police Department at 217-431-2250, Vermilion County Crimestoppers at vccrimstoppers.org, or call anonymously at 217-446-TIPS.

A court in the Hebei Province of China sentenced a boy identified as Zhang to life in prison for the killing of his classmate identified as Wang. Zhang was found guilty and convicted of intentional homicide, according to CBS News. Two other classmates, identified as Li and Ma, were charged as accomplices.

On March 3, Zhang, with the help of two other classmates surnamed Li and Ma, lured Wang to an abandoned greenhouse where the defendant reportedly struck the victim with a shovel to death. According to prosecutors, during the attack, Ma fled the greenhouse while Li assisted the defendant in burying Wang before all three boys rode away on their scooters.

After the assault, Zhang used the victim's phone and transferred funds from Wang’s WeChat account to Li and himself. Then, he ordered Ma to destroy the SIM card belonging Wang. Soon, authorities tracked down the trio, and Ma led investigators to the location of Wang’s body. 

In 2021, China revised the age of criminal responsibility downwards from 14 to 12 years old for murder cases deemed special based on ruthless means.  As a result, the court considered Zhang as a candidate befitting such a sentence.

Meanwhile, Li was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Ma was ordered to undergo correction and education since he was not an active participant and did not share in the loot.

The case had gained national attention due to the defendant's age and the heinous crime committed. Most of the Chinese citizens applauded the verdict, while some saw Li’s sentence as lenient despite his involvement in the homicide.

"The one that only got 12 years will be a young man when he is released. Hope he doesn't take revenge on society when he is out," stated a Weibo subscriber on the popular social media platform, reported BBC.   

Wang had reportedly been bullied over a long period before his demise. 

On Dec. 30, around 4:45 pm, police officers responded to Quesnell Bridge near Whitemud Park where they found Burke’s body along the river in west Edmonton. Though her death was determined a homicide after an autopsy, authorities remain mum on the cause of death since the investigation is still ongoing.

According to investigators, the defendant and the victim knew each other, and as a result, the case was classified as an intimate partner homicide.

Though Ferguson was initially charged with injury to the elderly, on Monday, Dec. 23, Potter County prosecutors amended the charge to murder after further investigation. A month earlier, officers responded to a home in N.E 14 Street after reports of a non-responsive 106-year-old Cecilia Ferguson.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered suspicious events surrounding the centenarian's death, reported 7 News. As a result, investigators brought in Ferguson for questioning and arrested the defendant afterward, despite denying any involvement with the homicide.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Ferguson is incarcerated at the Potter County Detention Center while awaiting trial.

A Robeson County judge handed Michael McLellan, 40, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of 13-year-old Hania Aguilar.  McLellan initially faced the death penalty after being charged with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree forced sex offense, statutory rape of a child, statutory sex offense with a child, first-degree kidnapping, felonious restraint, abduction of a child, concealing the death of a child and larceny of a motor vehicle. However, six years after the fatal incident, he pleaded guilty to murder instead to avoid the death penalty.

According to the Independent, on Nov. 5, 2018, Aguilar had been sitting in the driveway of her Rosewood Mobile Home Park in Lumberton while waiting to go to school when McLellan abducted the teenager in her family’s SUV. 22 days later, authorities found her partially decomposed naked body weighted down in a swamp a few miles from her home.

An autopsy report showed Aguilar had been sexually assaulted before her demise. McLellan, who was already in police custody for an unrelated case from 2016, was arrested a few days later. However, authorities discovered the investigator in the previous rape case already connected the defendant’s DNA to the crime before Aguilar was kidnapped, which means her death could have been avoided. Soon the investigator was fired.

Furthermore, on the day the defendant pleaded guilty, McLellan had attempted to escape police custody after the defendant unsuccessfully tried to use a makeshift handcuff key to unlock his handcuffs on the way to court after it got stuck. On the way back from court along Interstate 40, McLellan managed to hit a deputy’s gun holster, thereby releasing the gun. As a result, the deputy driving slammed on the brakes with enough time to hold on to the barrel of the gun, while a second deputy sprayed the defendant’s face with pepper spray before he released the weapon.  

"I was in the courtroom when he pleaded guilty and gave a little statement to the family and everything, but now, I see all of that was just for show. He had an escape plan in his mind the entire time," said Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, reported ABC 11.

McLellan also pleaded guilty to the 2016 rape and will serve his life sentence at Central Prison in Raleigh.

Meyers was charged with first-degree and second-degree murder.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Baltimore Police Department responded to the 1000 Block of Quantril Way after reports of an assault. Upon arrival, authorities forced their way into the home, where they found the victim suffering from trauma. Despite the efforts of first responders to provide life-saving measures, Praharnpap was declared dead at the scene.

According to the Baltimore Police Department, after investigators discovered the 46-year-old defendant was connected to the homicide, Meyers was arrested a couple of minutes later at the 1100 block of Armstead Way.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the investigation remains active. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information regarding the case to call 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.

A Kern County judge handed Jonathan Knight a life term without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Kayson Guyton. After a four-week trial, Knight was found guilty and convicted of murder, attempted murder, and 9 other charges.

On Feb. 23, 2017, Knight and his cousin and co-defendant Jeremy King spotted Dayvon Vercher, an alleged member of the East Side Crips, a rival street gang, at the Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield. At the time, Versher drove around with Kayson and his 7-year-old brother Bryan Guyton Jr. in the backseat. Soon, a drive-by shootout ensued, with King reportedly driving and Knight shooting at Versher, fatally striking Kayson and Bryan in the leg. However, the victim’s brother survived the ordeal, according to Bakersfield Now.

The fatal incident stemmed from an earlier confrontation between both parties.

Two years later, Knight was arrested while King accepted a plea bargain to serve six years in prison for a manslaughter charge in exchange for testifying against his cousin.

Knight’s defense lawyer, Tim Hennessy, argued that King’s testimony was false due to the benefits of the plea deal with the prosecutor’s office.

"Try to battle or deter or stop gang violence from our side, when one guy gets the book thrown at him and the other guy walks. My concern is what that sends to the community as to how gang violence is being treated," said Hennessy reported 23 ABC.

The judge sentenced the defendant to a combined 262 years for the other charges in addition to the life sentence.

Chatham County Judge Tammy Stoke handed Leilani Simon a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder of her 20-month-old son Quinton Simon. Simon was found guilty and convicted by a jury of malice murder, felony murder, making a false statement, and 16 other charges.

On Oct. 5, 2022, officers responded to Simon‘s home in Chatham near Savannah after the defendant reported her son missing. Despite several manpower and search parties, the toddler was not found, and a couple of days later, authorities declared Quinton dead while Simon, at the time, was considered a suspect.

Five weeks after Quinton was reported missing, authorities found his remains in a landfill and confirmed the victim’s identity with a DNA test. Soon, Simon was arrested and charged with her son’s murder.

Though the judge had the option of sentencing Simon to life without the possibility of parole, the defendant’s family pleaded with the judge to give her a chance to redeem herself. Simon's mother, Billie Jo Howell, told the court that she failed the defendant due to her own struggle with drug addiction. As a result, Simon and her brother were raised by their aunt before the defendant also got involved with drugs.

“I failed her as a mom. I allowed addiction to take over my life at a young age. I still neglected your emotional needs. My decisions have made an impact on your life,” said Howell, according to WSFA.

Prosecutors, on the other hand, told the court that Simon had never shown remorse for her actions and that the 22-year-old mother of two deserved to spend the rest of her life in prison. Furthermore, they told the court that Simon had asked her brother for some weed during her initial interview and had implicated several innocent people.

“She behaved in a way that shows a total lack of remorse both during the investigation, when on day one, she’s asking Paul, ‘hey do you got some weed to smoke when we get home. She behaved in a way that shows absolutely no remorse and no compunction about what she did during her pretrial investigation, and during the trial itself, as we’ve tried to show here today. She doesn’t really seem sorry about what she did. If she had been sorry about this at any point, there were a million off-ramps. After killing Quinton, she could have just not thrown his body in a dumpster,” said Chatham County Special Assistant District Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Dean, according to Savannah Morning News.

Stoke sentenced Simon to an additional ten years, and the defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 40 years in prison.

On Nov. 21, 2020, Edmonds, a Louisiana resident, was engaged in several correspondences with his older sister Kourtnei, who lived in Texas via text. The victim’s sister had planned on going to Louisiana to see her brother when she received a distress message from her family that Edmonds had been shot.

The victim and his cousin had reportedly been in the city of Grambling when Edmonds was shot six times while seated in his vehicle. The victim’s cousin was also shot in the leg during the shooting. Despite being rushed to the hospital and provided with life-saving measures, Edmonds succumbed to his injuries around 2:30 pm the next day, according to Project: Cold Case.

Since the fatal incident, authorities still do not have a person of interest or a suspect arrested for the homicide. Family members claimed to have provided a neighbor’s camera and shell casings for the Grambling Police Department. Nevertheless, the case remains cold, leaving the family frustrated and awaiting justice.

“I want them to know that we’re asking for help were seeking help from the public. I hear stories on TV. I’m hearing CRIME STOPPERS has been involved or an arrest has been made (in other cases). I’m hearing all of this and in just asking for the same. My son deserves that,”  said the victim’s mother, Bobbi Edmonds, reported KNOE.

If anyone has any information that could blow this case wide open, please contact the Grambling Police Department at (318) 247-3771. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at (318) 255-1111

Family members are offering a $4,000 cash reward for credible information that will lead to an arrest of a suspect.

Rhaman was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. According to WBTV, around 10 am on Friday, Dec. 13, officers responded to the 300 block of Archdale Drive after reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, authorities found Mclendon at the location of the shooting with a gunshot wound. However, despite the life-saving measures by first responders, the victim succumbed to her injuries at the crime scene.  

The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and the investigation regarding the case remains active.

Rhaman is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail while awaiting trial.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Scott T. Millington handed Selvin Salazar, 32, three life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Dolores Sanchez, 28, Saith Pedraza, 39, and his best friend, 28-year-old Francisco Montes. Salazar was found guilty and convicted by a jury of three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, one count of intimidation of a witness, one count of carjacking, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, who have endured tremendous loss and suffering as a result of Mr. Salazar’s horrific actions. I wish to extend my thanks to Deputy District Attorney Kendra Carman, who vigorously prosecuted this case and steadfastly sought justice. We hope this sentence brings a measure of closure to the victims and their loved ones,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

On July 31, 2018, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the 1200 Block of 135th Street in Gardena after reports of a shooting. According to prosecutors, the defendant, who had been high on crystal methamphetamine, thought Ortiz had set him up for an attack by a rival gang. As a result, Salazar shot at a vehicle, killing fatally Sanchez, who was the driver, and injuring Pedraza and his sister, Olga.

Next, Salazar ordered Montes, who was a fellow gang member, and his pregnant wife, Ana Ortiz, to drive him to a friend's house in Lynwood. On the way, the defendant asked Montes to pull over and fatally shot him in the back of the head before shooting Ortiz in the neck. Though Pedraza was initially paralyzed, he died two years later, while Olga and Ortiz survived the ordeal.

Authorities believe the defendant killed his best friend because he thought Montes was driving him to a police station.

During the sentencing hearing, Salazar repeatedly tried to interrupt the judge while claiming Montes was not his best friend.

“You’re a cold-blooded killer. This court believes you should never, never, never get out,” said Millington, reported Daily Breeze.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Angela Z. Brown sentenced Rodney Jacob Sanders, 26, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of an Acworth homeowner. Sanders was convicted and found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, felony murder, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit home invasion in the first degree, conspiracy to commit home invasion in the first degree, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, burglary, and conspiracy to commit burglary. 

“This life sentence ensures Sanders is held fully accountable for his actions and serves as a reminder that such crimes will not be tolerated in Cobb County. We are grateful to the jurors, law enforcement, and our prosecution team for their dedication in bringing justice to the victim and his family,” said District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr., according to FOX 5.

Three hours before the fatal incident, on May 16, 2023, the defendant and three other co-defendants, Cibias Vieira, Jaiden Crawford, and David Travis, had attempted to break into the victim's home. Resolved, Sanders returned to the premises under the guise of helping repair the damage caused during the burglary. As a result, Sanders could relay the home’s interior information to his accomplices.

Later, Sanders’ accomplices returned to the residence while the victim and his girlfriend were at home. Alarmed, the victim braced himself against the door to block their entry before shouting out to his girlfriend to bring the gun. Then, two of the co-defendants fired shots through the door, killing the homeowner.

During the trial, the three co-defendants testified against Sanders and identified him as the leader of the group and orchestrator of the fatal incident. Hence, Vieira was sentenced to 35 years, with parole after serving 25; Travis, 35 years with parole after serving 25; and Crawford, 20 years with parole after serving 15, reported Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.  

Bullitt County Judge Rodney Burress handed Tiffanie Lucas two life terms in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 9-year-old Jayden Howard and 6-year-old Maurice Baker Jr. Lucas pleaded guilty to two counts of murder without a bargain in exchange, leaving her fate to the decision of the judge.

"A mother is more than the giving of life," Burress said. "It is providing food, clothing, shelter, more importantly, love and security. I cannot imagine the sheer horror these children must have experienced seeing their mother with a gun. The sheer horror the second child had as he heard the discharge of that weapon with the first child, and maybe even both of them seeing their mother pull the trigger, taking their life," said Burress during the sentencing hearing, according to Newsweek.

On Nov. 8, 2023, officers responded to the 200 Block of Bentwood Drive after they received a distress call from neighbors. Upon arrival, authorities found the defendant collapsed in the neighbor’s yard before discovering the bloodied bodies of Jayden and Maurice in a bedroom at Lucas’ home with gunshot wounds to their heads.

During her initial interview with investigators, Lucas told authorities she had shot herself in the head, which her defense lawyer Richard Lawniczak claimed was her plan from the beginning, but the gun jammed. Furthermore, the defendant initially claimed someone had given her the gun, but admitted nobody else was at the residence during the fatal incident. The neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the audio sound of four gunshots before the defendant cried for help.

Lawniczak argued the defendant should be sentenced to a lighter sentence of 35 years because she suffered from a psychotic disorder. To support the claim, Lucas’ lawyer submitted a neighbor’s doorbell camera video footage that showed the defendant asking for help in an apparent mental health episode that was brought upon Lucas by the side effects of withdrawal from her opioid abuse.

Family members described the defendant as selfish and blamed social services for being derelict in their duty to protect the two young boys. 

"She chose to take drugs and put them in that situation," said Maurice’s father, Maurice Baker, reported WDRB.com.

Lucas will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 20 years in prison.

On Monday, Mangione was arrested and charged with carrying a gun without a license, forgery, falsely identifying himself to authorities, and possessing instruments of crime.

"Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation," stated a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson, according to Eyewitness News.

Altoona Police Department responded to a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, near a Greyhound bus station after an employee at the fast food restaurant identified the suspect and called 911. Upon arrival, officers approached Mangione, seated and eating, and asked him for his identification. The defendant gave the police a New Jersey Driver’s License with the name Mark Rosario. While an officer ran his name in the system, Mangione was told he would be arrested if he lied about his name and if he had been to New York recently.

According to BBC, the defendant admitted that his real name, Luigi Mangione, had gotten quiet and started to shake. Further search of his belongings revealed a ghost handgun capable of firing 9mm rounds, often made with 3D printers, a 3D-printed silencer, and a loaded magazine with six rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In addition, a U.S. Passport, $10,000 with two thousand in foreign currencies, and a three-page written manifesto against corporate America.

Mangione attended high school in Baltimore, worked as a data engineer in California, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The defendant will be provided the option to be extradited to New York to await trial.

Kaden Thomson was sentenced to a life term in prison with the possibility of parole by a Twinn County judge for the shooting death of 32-year-old Freddy Rodriguez. A jury convicted Thomson of first-degree murder three months after his co-defendant, Mi’Quavis Taylor, was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

On Nov 16, 2023, Thomson and Taylor had been on a carjacking spree when they zeroed in on Rodriguez’s van. As the duo tried to steal the vehicle, the victim attempted to scare both men off his premises when Thomson shot Rodriguez multiple times.

During the trial, prosecutors submitted to the jury interrogation video footage that showed Taylor describing the events that followed the fatal incident.

“He gets in like what the f--- happened? What happened? He’s like I think I killed him, I let off 6 or 5 shots,” said Taylor to investigators, according to MSN.

In addition, prosecutors informed the jury about the defendant’s criminal history, which showed Thomson's lengthy criminal history from being a juvenile and committed the homicide three months after his release from prison.

Thomson, with teary eyes, apologized to the victim’s family, but in a rebuttal, prosecutors submitted to the court a jail video call that showed the defendant laughing with friends about the 13 felonies he was charged with. Hence, they argued that Thomson was not remorseful.

The victim’s family members believed the sentence was fair, considering they lost Rodriguez’s brother months after the victim’s demise.

“One day at a time, as cliche as that sounds, we celebrate him. We have to heal all over again because of the grief-- we had another loss in the family. Now my husband and his brother can rest in peace, and we’ll see him on the other side,” said Rodriguez’s wife during the victim impact statement, reported KMTV.

Athens State Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard sentenced Jose Antonio Ibarra to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. Ibarra was found guilty and convicted of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury and aggravated assault with intent to rape, and seven other charges in a bench trial after the defendant’s lawyers were unable to move the trial from Athens. The defense team believed he would not get a fair hearing by a jury in Athens. As a result, Haggard had full discretion in deciding Ibarra’s fate.

On Feb. 22, police officers descended on the University of Georgia campus after a campus security official found Riley’s body covered with leaves a few feet from the trail. According to BBC, the victim had gone for a run at about 9 am, three hours before her body was found. Ten minutes into the run, Riley initiated her 911 emergency function on her iPhone before her smartwatch went silent at 9:28 am with no more readings of her heartbeat.

An autopsy report showed the victim’s death was caused by two blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. During the investigation, authorities identified Ibarra with a thumbprint of the defendant on Riley’s phone screen. Later, investigators retrieved a doorbell camera footage that showed the 26-year-old Ibarra near the scene of the crime tossing a jacket in a trash bin. Upon retrieval of the jacket, DNA taken from the long dark hair and blood stains was a match with the defendant. The most damning evidence connecting Ibarra to the crime stemmed from DNA evidence taken from underneath Riley’s nails after she scratched Ibarra during a fierce fight for her life.

“Jose Ibarra took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child. There is no end to the pain, suffering, and loss that we have experienced,” said Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, during the victim’s impact statement, reported The New York Times.

Ibarra’s defense team argued that all the evidence against their client was circumstantial, and the DNA evidence found on the jacket could also belong to the defendant’s brother, who also had access to the jacket.

The murder became a national debate on immigration issues by President-Elect Trump and the Republicans who believed the U.S. border under President Biden is not secure and making the country unsafe with violent migrants such as Ibarra. The defendant entered the United States illegally in 2022 and committed other minor offenses in New York and Georgia.

Ibarra’s defense team filed an appeal for a new trial, arguing that the verdict was contrary to law and the evidence allowed during the trial. However, the motion was mute on specifics.

On Dec. 2, authorities arrested the defendant in Grand Prairie, Texas, by members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force. The charges stemmed from Nov. 12, 2018, when 29-year-old Charine Wilson’s family reported her missing.

According to the Houston Police Department (HPD), Charine's son, who had been with his mother on the day she went missing, told authorities that they drove to the apartment complex along Glencrest Avenue, near Broadway Street, where Charine’s ex-husband is a resident.

Though the victim’s son stayed in the car while Charine entered the residence, the victim never came back to the car. Later, Wilson exited the apartment alone and drove the boy to a fast-food restaurant in his mother’s car before dropping him off.

Three months after Wilson’s disappearance, HPD responded to a ditch south of Corsicana, in Navarro County, where the victim’s body was found. In addition, an autopsy report showed the victim had been shot multiple times. As a result, Johnny Wilson, then 42, was arrested and charged with Wilson’s murder but posted bail and became a fugitive.

Wilson is currently in custody of the Grand Prairie Police Department Jail and is awaiting extradition to Houston while awaiting trial.

47-year-old Aaron Aldrich was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Maine Superior Court Judge Jennifer Archer for the shooting death of 16-year-old Mohamed Aden and 21-year-old Mohamed Adan. After 90 minutes of deliberation, a jury convicted Aldrich of two counts of knowing or intentional murder and five years in prison for the prohibited use of a firearm.

On Feb. 24, 2023, authorities discovered the bodies of Aden and Adan in a Poland home at Tripp Lake Road after a welfare check. According to prosecutors, the defendant shot the two victims with a 9mm Glock handgun during a drug deal inside the home and stole their cash before posing for a selfie with the loot in hand.

A woman told investigators that the defendant had returned to her home on the day of the fatal incident, acting paranoid and watching the window. Furthermore, the witness also noticed a cut on Aldrich’s hands and some blood spatter on his shoes. During the trial, prosecutors told the jury how the defendant described the killings to a witness.

“I killed those two. I flanked them. I flogged them. He has found weaker, smaller, younger boys that he can go and take from,” said Assistant Attorney General Lisa Bogue, reported Law and Crime.

Aldrich apologized to the victims’ families while acknowledging it wouldn’t bring Aden and Adan back.

Aldrich’s defense team argued their client’s act was in self-defense and not intentional. Hence, they requested the court for a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison, highlighting the value Aldrich will add to society when sober.

The judge disagreed!

"His statements today do not change my conclusion. I think he was sorry he was caught. I think he's sorry he was convicted, but I do not conclude that he is sorry for what he did," said Archer during the sentencing hearing, according to WMTW.

Perez was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon after the Bridgeton Police Department responded to the 300 block of Atlantic Street due to reports of a man screaming. Upon their arrival, they found 26-year-old Rafael Morales-Domingo with a stab wound on the porch of the home.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Around 7 pm on Dec. 1, Morales-Domingo entered the apartment belonging to Perez, who at the time was in the company of her boyfriend, reported NJ.com. Soon, an argument ensued and allegedly escalated into a violent altercation when she stabbed the victim in the upper chest area of his armpit.

Later, investigators found blood trails from the second floor of the unit, in the kitchen with a bloodied knife in the sink, and on the porch, where they found Morales-Domingo.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Perez is being held and awaiting trial at the Cumberland County Jail.

Authorities are asking anyone with additional information regarding the case to call Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033.

On Nov. 29, the Clackamas County Police Department responded to Highway 26 and East Miller Road, four miles from where his wife’s White 1992 Ford truck had been found earlier that week.

Four days before her body was discovered, authorities and several volunteers had been on a search for the 61-year-old Susan Lane-Fournier, who was reported to be an avid and experienced hiker. The search stemmed from concerned colleagues who reported the victim missing after she failed to show up at work. They told investigators it was not in her character not to call anyone if she could not go to work.

"We're just all concerned. It's not like her to not show up to work, not call and no one's seen or heard anything. ... She's a little bit eccentric but everyone up here on this mountain is a little bit eccentric.” Those were guard dogs. I mean, if anybody would get near her, they would lose their minds,” said the Susan Fournier’s friend Cari Gesch, according to People.

Despite the manpower and hundreds of hours searching the Green Canyon Way Trail area south of Welches for Fournier, the search party had been called off due to weather conditions. However, a friend of the victim remained persistent and found her body underneath a tarp 20 yards from the search area. Later, an autopsy report showed Fournier’s death was due to a homicide, reported CNN.

During the investigation, authorities discovered the victim had filed for divorce proceedings from Michel Fournier at the Clackamas County due to irreconcilable differences. Soon, the defendant was arrested and held without bail.

The investigation into the homicide remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949 or submit tips online.

Fournier’s two dogs remain missing.

Summit County retired visiting Judge James Kimbler sentenced Antonio Miller, 27, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 50-year-old Tina Case. A jury convicted Miller of aggravated murder with a gun specification, two counts of murder with gun specifications, and second-degree felonious assault with a gun specification.

“Antonio Miller is a dangerous person who ambushed a beloved mother while she sat in her car. He

deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars. My hope is today’s sentence brings some justice and

peace to Tina Case’s family,” said Prosecutor Kolkovich, according to Summit County Prosecutors’ Office.

 On April 7, 2022, officers responded to the driveway of a home on the 600 Block of Koerber Avenue in Kenmore, where they found Case dead in the driver seat of her vehicle. An autopsy report showed the victim had been shot multiple times.

According to prosecutors, three days before the fatal incident, the victim’s daughter, Danielle Case, who had been dating Miller on and off for 5 years, broke off their relationship. Unbeknown to the victim, who was sitting in her vehicle parked in her driveway, she was ambushed by the defendant, shooting her multiple times.

During the investigation, authorities retrieved security camera video footage linking Miller to the crime scene. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued, leading U.S. Marshals and Akron Police to track the defendant five months later at a residence in the 500 Block of Rosyln Ave.

Danielle told authorities she believed her mom was not the intended target.

Miller will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 36 years in prison.

A Washoe County judge handed Katrina Carvalho, 24, a life term with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 25- 25-year-old Vintell Johnson. Carvalho was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder with the use of a firearm.

On Feb. 14, 2021, officers responded to an apartment complex on El Rancho Drive after reports of a shooting, reported KOLO News Now. Upon arrival, they found Johnson with several gunshot wounds before he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Witnesses told investigators the victim and girlfriend had been involved in a heated argument. During the altercation, Carvalho pulled out a gun and shot Johnson three times in the back before she fled the scene. Nine months later, authorities arrested the defendant in Los Angeles.

During the trial, prosecutors submitted to the jury recorded phone calls of Carvalho implicating herself in murder while she was incarcerated at the County jail.

Carvalho will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years in prison.

St. Johns County Judge R. Lee Smith sentenced Spencer Ross Pearson to life in prison for the brutal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend Madison Schemitz, her mother Jaclyn "Jacki" Roge, and a stranger. Pearson pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon and aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury with a weapon.

“There are just certain crimes committed that merit the maximum possible sentence and this court finds one of them. You are sentenced to serve the remainder of your life in prison,” said Smith during the sentencing hearing, according to Action News Jax.

On June 3, 2023, officers responded to a restaurant’s parking lot at Ponte Vedra Beach after reports of a stabbing involving multiple victims. According to prosecutors, Pearson had decided to commit suicide by Pearson slitting his throat while hearing the waves of the ocean at the beach after his break-up with Schemitz. Hence, the defendant decided to have a last meal at Mr. Chubby’s, a favorite restaurant he often visited with his dad.

Unbeknownst to Pearson, Schemitz and her mother also patronized the same restaurant that day, and when they walked out of the restaurant towards their car, the defendant followed behind. Soon, he attacked Schemitz, stabbing her 15 times, Roge in the forehead and leg as she tried to rescue her daughter. During the commotion, Pearson also slashed a stranger who was able to stop the attack.

All three victims survived the ordeal. However, Schemitz was left paralyzed from the chest down.

Two months before the attack, Pearson had attempted to end his life by hanging himself with a tie at his home, but his family and Schemitz were able to save him after they received a farewell message from the defendant. The 20-year-old Pearson, who had shown signs of low self-esteem and social anxiety since the third grade, was diagnosed with psychotic features, social anxiety disorder, a severe major depressive disorder with mood-congruent, and autism.

The defendant’s lawyers argued for a lesser sentence of 12 years in prison with 15 years of supervision and mental health counseling, claiming Pearson’s bout with anxiety had gotten worse with the head injuries he sustained as a high school football star while growing up in Keller, Texas.

The judge disagreed!

“This defendant launched a vicious attack on a 17-year-old girl … who had only weeks earlier done her part to try to save his life when he attempted suicide. The same person who tried to save his life he violently and viciously attacked. Any deviation below the [sentencing] guidelines is inappropriate,” said the judge, reported New York Post.

Pearson apologized to the victims and their families. After multiple surgeries, Schemitz was able to walk down the aisle to receive her high school diploma, and she’s currently a college freshman.

Kern County Judge Kenneth C. Twisselman II sentenced Richard Roy Cortez to 60 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Joshua Samarripas. A jury convicted the 33-year-old Cortez of second-degree murder.

“These extreme acts of violence committed by felons who illegally possess firearms are a top priority for prosecution. Violence in our streets and neighborhoods will not be tolerated," said Kern District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, according to Bakersfield Now.

Around 8:30 pm on Dec. 30, 2022, the Kern County Police Department responded to the 3300 Block of Center Street after reports of a shooting.   Upon arrival, officers found the Samarripas slumped against a car in a nearby street west of the shooting location with a gunshot wound to the back. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

After identifying Samarripas, investigators retrieved security camera footage that showed the defendant driving a stolen Tacoma pick-up truck. Furthermore, the video showed the defendant had driven past Samarripas as he walked on the sidewalk before stopping in the middle of the road and firing two shots at the victim. Later, officers found the abandoned pick-up truck with evidence of Cortez’s fingerprints on a plastic cup in the vehicle.

Though Cortez had initially faced 15 years to life for the second-degree murder, because of the defendant’s extended criminal history, his sentence received an enhancement. As a result, Cortez’s defense lawyer argued his client, who had been attempting to turn his life around, acted only in self-defense after Samarripas threatened his life.

In a rebuttal, prosecutors told the judge that the defendant has always been a menace to society, especially after the defendant committed another crime before his arrest for the homicide.

The judge agreed!

“That conduct is inconsistent with someone who is trying to live a law-abiding life as a productive member of our community,” said Twisselman during the sentencing hearing, reported KGET.

Michael W. Williams Jr. was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after the defendant was identified as the shooter. Both the victim and the defendant are not related.

Around midnight on Nov. 15, Chemung County Police Department responded to a home on Richard Street in Southport where the victim was celebrating his birthday party after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found J’Sean with multiple gunshot wounds, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, reported WENY.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

A week after the fatal incident, authorities, with eyewitness testimonies and several evidence collected at the scene of the crime, tracked the 17-year-old teenager to a residence in Binghamton, where he was arrested without incident.

Prosecutors in New York have the option to charge Williams as an adult.

34-year-old Jamesha Banzant, a.k.a."Neecy," was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.

About 4:30 pm, on Oct. 28, 2023, officers responded to an apartment complex along the 1700 Block of Lapaloma Street. Upon arrival, they found Montreal Moore on the floor of the apartment, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Though first responders applied life-saving measures, the victim was declared dead at the scene.

According to News-Herald, Moore and another man had been helping a lady move her furniture when an argument broke out between them. Though they resolved the issue temporarily, soon, an argument ensued between the victim, Banzant, and a male neighbor. Witnesses told authorities the defendant had brandished a weapon wrapped in a yellow sheet before they heard multiple gunshots and the victim collapsing on the floor. Furthermore, the defendant told one of the witnesses, "Auntie, you didn't see nothing," reported FOX 13.

Moore was seen taking two phones before she fled the scene with the male neighbor.

The next day, authorities found the defendant’s abandoned blue 1998 Ford Mustang in Southhaven but were unable to locate Banzant until Nov. 20.

Banzant was denied bond and remains in jail while awaiting trial.

Prince George’s County Judge Darren Johnson sentenced 21-year-old Anderson Blanco-Diaz to ten years for the shooting death of 27-year-old Antoine Dorsey. Though Blanco-Diaz faced a life sentence, Darren was suspended all but 10 years after the defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, and open wearing and carrying of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure.

“To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement,” said State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “Honestly, I was disgusted. This family deserved justice. My office worked hard to achieve justice, and we got it from the jury, and it feels like it was taken away, unfortunately, by the decision of the judge,” said Maryland State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, according to WTOP.

On July 5, 2022, officers responded to Beaver Dam Road in Beltsville in the Beltsville Agricultural area after reports of a body was found by a passerby. Upon arrival, they discovered Dorsey’s body with a gunshot wound to the head. During the investigation, authorities found DNA evidence at the victim’s residence and cell phone data that identified and connected Blanco-Diaz and another co-defendant to the murder.

According to prosecutors, Dorsey had been shot at point-blank range while he was in a kneeling position. Witnesses told authorities that both men were associated with the MS-13 gang and carried guns. However, the judge departed from the prosecutor’s recommendation for the toughest penalty of life in prison and claimed the court had the capacity to consider other evidence not admissible in court during the trial.

“The court can consider evidence that was not admissible at trial. In doing so, the court, with regard to the first charge of first-degree murder is going to sentence the gentleman to life, suspend all but 10 years. The court is going below the guidelines which say life to life. But as stated, the court can consider things that the jury could not in making this determination,” said Johnson during the sentencing hearing, reported ABC 7 News.

The sentence sparked an outrage by prosecutors who believed justice had been denied for the victim and his family. In addition, the defendant is awaiting trial for charges of two counts of attempted murder and rape that took place over the summer while Blanco-Diaz was in county jail.

Johnson seeks to be elected to the Prince George’s County Circuit Court seat this fall. Though the judge is already a circuit court judge appointed by the former State Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Constitution still requires Circuit Court judges to run for election.

A Gwinett County judge sentenced Timothy James Krueger, 51, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal stabbing death of 19-year-old Sarai Llanos Gomez. After two hours of deliberation, Krueger was found guilty and convicted by a jury of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault.

"This was a cruel, brutal way for this young woman to die. Ms. Llanos Gomez has two children who are motherless. This defendant was cold and calculating, and the jury’s swift verdict will deliver much-deserved justice to Ms. Llanos Gomez and to her family and loved ones," said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson, according to FOX 5.

On June 20, 2022, Hall County neighborhood homeowners called 911 to report a dead body in the wooded area near the residential area. Upon arrival of the police, they found the victim’s body with multiple stab wounds and later identified her as Gomez. Later, investigators used the victim’s cellphone records and data to track her last location, the defendant’s home.

According to ANF, on June 16, 2022, Krueger requested an escort he patronized regularly, but Gomez showed up instead. Soon, an argument ensued between the duo about her payment. In her attempt to leave the premises, the victim grabbed a knife from the kitchen but was overpowered by Krueger before stabbing her multiple times and slitting her throat. Then, the defendant cut her clothes off, wrapped her in a blanket, put her in his car, and dumped her in the wooded area where authorities found her.

Later, investigators also retrieved a Hall County neighbor’s doorbell camera video footage that showed Krueger’s car in the vicinity where Gomez’s body was found. Krueger also confessed to the killing during his interview with investigators.

During the trial, Krueger claimed he committed the act in self-defense, but the jury didn’t believe him.

In the evening and on the day of the incident, the Dayton Police Department responded to the victim’s Parkwood Avenue home after receiving a 911 distress call. Miles’ neighbors had heard gunshots and someone running water. Though her door was locked, the responding officers could see her 2- and 1-year-old children wandering around the house, leading them to make a forced entry.

Immediately, they found Miles on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Soon, the victim was rushed to Miami Valley Hospital, where she succumbed to her wounds.

During the investigation, authorities discovered drugs in the residence and determined Miles had been a dealer.

“It’s not up to us to judge that. What is up for us to do is to find out who did this, because no matter what she was doing, she should not have been killed and taken away from her children. We have to have the public’s help. Without them, we aren’t going to solve these cases,” said Dayton Police Detective Patty Tackett, according to Dayton 24/7 Now.

Investigators claim the perpetrator must have been close to Miles due to the locked doors and the victim’s dog, which was aggressive towards the officers but silent in the suspect's presence. In addition, a neighbor told investigators he had previously heard people having an altercation next door. 

“Hollering and screaming, cuss words everywhere. She would pack up the kids and get in the car and go somewhere. She would go down to the grocery store down here just to get away,” said Miles’ neighbor Bryan Castle, reported Dayton Daily News.

Despite the information provided by witnesses and the pursuit of several leads, investigators hit a dead end, and the case went cold.

Miles’ family members continue to seek justice by calling the cold case detectives and hoping the case will not be forgotten.

Anyone with information that could break the case wide open can contact the Dayton Police Department at 937-333-2677. Call Crime Stoppers at (937) 222-7867 to remain eligible for a reward and maintain anonymity.

York County District Judge Musti Cook sentenced Alajah Elizabeth Holmes, 21, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her 18-year-old half-sister Amiya Paige. Holmes was found guilty by Cook of first-degree murder after the defendant had initially pleaded guilty to criminal homicide.

"Kudos to the York City Police Department, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chuck Murphy, and Senior Deputy Prosecutor Jenna Strausbaugh for an outstanding investigation and prosecution," said York County District Attorney Dave Sunday, according to FOX 43.

On Dec. 31, 2022, officers responded to a report of shots fired at the 300 Block of West Jackson Street. Upon their arrival, they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the back. Holmes was rushed to WellSpan York Hospital but later succumbed to her wound.  

According to prosecutors, a heated argument ensued between Holmes and Paige on Facebook that led to both sisters’ decision to a fistfight. As a result, the defendant asked a friend who was in possession of a U-Haul for a ride to York City to fight Paige. Holmes could locate her sister after the victim sent a picture of the street sign to pinpoint her location.

Soon, Holmes arrived on the scene, pulled out a gun, and shot her sister, who had been in the company of some friends in the back before she fled the scene. On Jan 7, the defendant turned herself in to authorities.

Family members and friends described the victim as a fun-loving and outgoing individual who had lots to offer

“Amiya was 18 years old and had her whole life ahead of her, then tragedy took her life. Amiya was a high school graduate and was accepted into college to pursue her dream of becoming an ultra sound technician. She was loving, kind, smart, sweet and beautiful inside and out. She enjoyed doing nails and make-up on her spare time. She loved dancing and was always the life of the party. Her joyful free spirit will be greatly missed,” stated family members on a GoFundMe page, reported Law & Crime.

Kiara Davis, 27, and Miguel Badillo, 24, were arrested and charged on Wednesday with 2nd-degree murder, 2nd-degree child cruelty, and possession of drug-related objects.

On Sept. 27, officers from the Columbus Police Department Special Victims Unit responded to the 4300 block of Rosemont Drive after reports of a deceased infant. Upon arrival, investigators discovered the infant had been falling off the mattress and wedged in between the mattress and the cushions of the love seat in the residence. The fatal incident was reported to have taken place because there were no safety measures in place.  

Both defendants are currently held at the Muscogee County Jail while awaiting trial.

A Dallas County judge handed Jorge Esparza, 26, a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of University of Texas at Arlington nursing student Ricardo Medina-Madriz. Esparza was found guilty and convicted of murder during a trial reset that stemmed from the initial trial judge recusing herself after she made disparaging comments about the defendant while the case was ongoing.

Dallas County Judge Nancy Mulder had been caught on a hot mic without the presence of the jury during a live stream, telling an unidentified court staff that Esparza had killed the victim just to show a woman he was a man.

“I deeply regret the comments I made during what I believed was a private conversation with court staff in an empty courtroom,” said Mulder, according to ABA.

On Aug. 9, 2020, the 27-year-old Medina-Madriz dropped off a woman identified as Denise, who was at the center of the love triangle at her home on Jeffries Street in South Dallas after their first date. Minutes later, the victim was murdered.

According to prosecutors, Esparza had confessed to the shooting during his interrogation and after Denise had accused the defendant of stalking her. She also provided alarming messages Esparza had sent her, which included a character on Netflix who stalked and killed people.  

In addition, other women who had dated Esparza in the past testified of the defendant’s history of stalking and harassing them. Nevertheless, Esparza’s defense lawyer, Reynie Tinajero, told the jury to take the confession submitted by prosecutors with a grain of salt, implying the testimony was false.

“The evidence is going to show you that no direct evidence is in this trial about Mr. Esparza committing this murder and the circumstantial evidence is absolutely weak. Listen to the things, whether they’re repeated over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again until somebody just says,” said Tinajero, reported NBC DFW.

The jury disagreed! Esparza will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 30 years in prison.

Medina-Madriz was a registered nurse in the process of obtaining a master's degree.

Saxon was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

On Tuesday, the New York Police Department (NYPD) responded to 384 Grand Concourse in a Mott Haven apartment building after receiving a distress 911 call from Grant. Upon arrival, the victim was found on a sofa with a knife stuck in his chest and stab wounds on his hands and feet. Despite life-saving measures of first responders, Grant was declared dead at the scene.

Witnesses told investigators they heard fighting in the hallway and later discovered it quickly progressed into a violent altercation that led to their neighbor’s demise. Soon, the defendant was arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.

Saxon’s mother came to his defense, claiming her son didn’t murder anyone and had no recollection of the alleged stabbing.

“I don’t know what happened, but I can tell y’all based on what I do know that it’s not going to be as simple as you want to make it,” she said. “Dynus didn’t just decide to murder somebody, said the defendant’s mother, according to New York Post.”

Saxon was an established male model who had graced the movie premieres for "Batman" and "Deadpool & Wolverine." The defendant also modeled for Calvin Klein and Levi’s and appeared in the pages of Vogue.

ONE Management once represented the defendant until the fatal incident. The company has removed all of Saxon’s portfolio from its website.

"We once represented him. However, we do not currently represent Dynus, and he is not currently associated with ONE," stated a spokesperson, reported FOX News.

The victim’s family described Grant as a devoted father who was benevolent in all his endeavors.

On that fateful day, the victim had been staying the night at his grandmother’s house and had dashed out in hopes of a quick return. He never did!

It was 6 a.m. the next day, Thomas’ grandmother woke up and noticed the 31-year-old father of four was not at home when she called his mother, Robin Clemons, to ascertain his whereabouts. Soon, Clemons received a dreadful call from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office that Thomas’ body had been found, according to Project: Cold Case.

Authorities had responded to the 1900 Block of West 9th Street, at the corner of Pulman Avenue. There, the police found the victim’s body with multiple gunshots.

"I had three, now I have two. That's not sitting well with me. "I know my child ain't perfect. None of us is perfect. I really miss my son,” said Clemons as she lamented about her son’s demise, according to First Coast News.   

Clemons described her son as an honor roll student in high school. Furthermore, she described Thomas as a lover of basketball, football, and, most importantly, people.

The victim’s family members are desperate for answers and hoping that Jacksonville authorities can provide some soon.

Anyone with any information regarding the case can contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500. To remain eligible and maintain anonymity, you can call Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477.

A Shelby County judge sentenced Cleotha Abston, 40, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Eliza Fletcher. Abston pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

"I want us today to acknowledge and celebrate the life of Liza Fletcher, a beloved daughter, wife, mother and teacher who was tragically kidnapped and murdered in a senseless act of random predatory violence. Today's agreement achieves finality for the family. The defendant gives up his right to appeal, so there won't be years and decades of appeals. It also helps the community, because this dangerous person will never again walk our streets. He will die in prison," said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, according to E News.

On Sep. 2, 2022, officers responded to Fletcher’s home after receiving a missing person call from the victim’s husband because his wife never returned home after going for a jog earlier in the day. Later, a cyclist found Fletcher’s cell phone and a pair of sandals in the streets and turned them in to authorities.

Soon, authorities retrieved a security video footage that showed Abston chasing the 34-year-old Fletcher near the University of Memphis at approximately 4 a.m. before forcing her into the passenger’s Black SUV and driving off.  The next day, the defendant’s vehicle was spotted near the defendant’s home, and Abston’s DNA was found on the sandals. As a result, Abston was arrested after he attempted to flee.

Three days after she was reported missing, officers responded to the back of a vacant complex in a South Memphis neighborhood, where they found Fletcher’s body with a gunshot wound to the head.

“We have no idea what happened to you to turn you into someone so filled with a desire to hurt people. Whatever it was, it does not excuse or explain what you have done. You have changed our lives forever, and nothing will ever be the same. Your actions were evil. There is no other word for it. You murdered Liza, even though she did nothing to deserve it. She did not hurt you. In fact, she would’ve been the first to help if you needed it,” stated Flecher’s family during the victim impact statement, reported  New York Times.

The victim’s family described Fletcher as a bright light with others in her church community, school, and her students who were moved by her faith.

Abston was a known entity to law enforcement. The defendant had served 20 years in prison for the 2000 kidnapping of a Memphis lawyer. Abston is also serving an 80-year sentence for a 2021 unrelated rape charge.

Pasco County Sheriff’s office responded to a residence in Holiday, Florida, after receiving a 911 distress call from Keller’s roommate about the shooting. Upon arrival, the 23-year-old was found bleeding on the bedroom floor of the apartment and later succumbed to his wounds.

“I don’t remember much after that. The loss of a child is like no other loss, as parents we expect our children to outlive us, there is nothing worse than parents that have to bury a child. My heart will never heal from this loss, this is a heartache that I will take to my grave. No parent should have to bury their child, especially when it comes from a senseless act of violence, said the victim’s mother, Barbara Keller, according to Tampa Free Press.

The victim’s roommate told investigators a short stocky Hispanic man knocked on the door of their residence about 11 p.m. He opened the door, and the suspect asked for Keller. Soon, the two men were heard having a conversation that wasn’t heated and was neither provocative when the victim’s roommate and his girlfriend heard the gunshot. 

During the investigation, authorities were unable to make any arrests to date, and the case went cold. Mack, who felt rage at her brother’s passing, couldn’t believe the responding officers had handcuffed her brother while he bled on the floor and pled for his life after listening to the 911 call.

“I’m not sure why they would handcuff the person who needed medical attention,”  said Mack, reported Project: Cold Case.  

The family remains hopeful that justice will prevail.

If anyone has information about this case, please call the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 847-5878. To maintain anonymity and possibly be eligible for a reward, contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at (800) 873-TIPS

Davis was found guilty and convicted by a Dekalb jury of three counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, criminal solicitation, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the shooting death of 18-year-old Trevon Richardson, according to FOX 5.

On May 28, 2018, officers responded to a parking lot of an apartment complex located on Peppertree Circle in unincorporated Decatur after reports of an unresponsive individual at the scene. Upon arrival, they found Richardson’s body with a gunshot wound to the chest, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially, authorities were unable to identify the victim because the victim had no identification. However, Richardson was later identified due to a missing persons report filed by his family. According to prosecutors, a friend had seen the victim at the apartment complex in the back seat of a black Dodge Dart selling marijuana to two people. As they drove off, the witness identified the vehicle's driver as Davis’ co-defendant, Detavion McDay. It was the last time anyone had seen Richardson, and his family was alerted.

Soon, McDay was arrested and told investigators the defendant had planned and arranged the marijuana deal as a pretense to rob the victim. He also told authorities that Davis had been the shooter while he drove the vehicle. In addition, authorities retrieved security video footage that showed McDay’s car leaving the parking lot where Richardson’s body was found.

In March 2020, McDay received a 40-year sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years. He pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and other related charges.

The judge sentenced Davis to an additional 20 years for the other charges.

Richardson was a high school football star who graduated a few days before his demise, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Choate, now a Tooele resident in Utah, was charged with first-degree murder.

On Nov. 26, 1972, officers responded to a vehicle set on fire with Nickell’s body inside. During the investigation, authorities discovered the victim had been shot several times, and his date that night had been kidnapped and raped repeatedly. At the time, a rape kit was administered at the hospital, and DNA evidence was collected.

According to FOX 13, a man had approached the couple in their car pretending he needed help due to a car crash. While Nickell, who had been home for Thanksgiving, was distracted, he shot him multiple times. Two men were reported to have kidnapped and raped the victim's date after burning the car.

Over the years, the case became cold after investigators ran out of leads, but authorities believed there were two suspects involved in the homicide. Then, in 2019 and with DNA technological advances, the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office resubmitted the evidence, and on the 50th anniversary of Nickell’s demise, Daniel Arthur Bell was identified as one of the suspects. However, investigators could not make an arrest because the 88-year-old Bell died in 2019 in Yakima Washington.  

As the investigations continued, Bell’s widow told investigators that Choate was a close friend of her late husband, who was convicted of rape in Washington, as her brother in Utah in the 80s. Soon, authorities obtained a DNA sample from the defendant in an unrelated matter and submitted it to the crime lab for testing. It was a match for Choate!

“When my brother was killed, I talked to him, of course he wasn’t there, but I knew he was there in spirit, and I told him 52 years ago that I was never going to stop, I was going to find who did this to him,” said Nickell’s sister Lynnette Nickell Ray, reported The Independent.

The Aberdeen teenager was charged with 1st and 2nd-degree Murder, 1st-degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and other firearm offenses.

"It's sad that we have juveniles running around our country, not just in Aberdeen, it's all over the country, that we have juveniles running around with weapons and feel the need to use those weapons. It's gut-wrenching," said Aberdeen Police Sgt. Jason Neidig, according to CBS News.

On Nov 2, officers responded to the 200 Block of Center Deen Avenue in Aberdeen after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found 14-year-old Jai’den Alexander Winchester in cardiac arrest and with a gunshot wound to the head. Though first responders attempted life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later, investigators recovered a firearm and established through social media platforms that the homicide was not accidental. However, the motive remains unclear, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Winchester attended Havre de Grace High School, where his teachers described him as a funny, kind student with a big personality.

"The Havre de Grace Middle/High community is saddened to share the passing of Jai’den Winchester. We are deeply saddened at the loss of Jai’den and will always remember him as a friend and Warrior forever. We will focus our concern on the well-being of our Warrior family as we cope with this tragic loss," said principal Brad Spence, reported FOX 45 News.

Anyone with information regarding the case can contact Detective Lightner at 410-272-2121 or clightner@aberdeenmd.gov.

A Victoria County District judge sentenced Christopher Garcia, 42, to three life terms in prison for the brutal assault of an unidentified woman. Garcia was found guilty and convicted of possession of a controlled substance, assault family violence with a previous conviction, and unlawful restraint causing serious bodily injury.

On Oct. 27, 2023, officers responded to a 911 distress call after reports of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that the defendant had pulled the woman into a moving vehicle. Soon, officers found Garcia and the victim, who had been assaulted and threatened. The woman told officers Garcia had intended to hold her against her and possibly kill her.  

Officers also found methamphetamine near the driver's seat of the vehicle.

During the trial, prosecutors submitted the defendant's violent criminal record with convictions for a 2019 aggravated assault and a 2016 hindering a felon, reported Victoria Advocate.

Hamilton County Court Judge Michael Smrtic handed Ann Marie Favro, 58, a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her 32-year-old son-in-law, David J. Chenier. Favro pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

"She had plenty of time to think about what she was doing, and yet she just went ahead. She took justice into her own hands, and it was her justice, not the justice of the people — her justice, what she thought she should d," said Hamilton County District Attorney Marsha Purdue, according to Times Union.

On Aug. 12, 2023, officers responded to a home on Big Brook Road after reports of shots fired at the residence. Upon arrival, they found Chenier’s body with a gunshot wound and later took the defendant into custody after a traffic stop.

Favro told investigators she shot Chenier to death because she was protecting her daughter. However, she refused to clarify her rationale to the authorities.

During the sentencing phase, the defendant’s daughter, Bailey Chenier, gave an impact statement and told her mother she was ashamed of being her daughter while she described her husband as a dedicated father to their children.

“I’m absolutely ashamed to say you are the woman who brought me into the world,” Bailey told her mother. “Know you no longer have a daughter or granddaughters. He was kind, he was funny, he was an incredibly hard worker and he was a proud and dedicated father who loved hard,” Bailey wrote. “This world is a much darker place without David here, and I would do anything in my power to bring him back,” said Bailey, reported Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Favro will be eligible for parole after serving 17 years in prison.

Lil Durk was charged after four other associates of the defendant’s music label Only The Family (OTF) and co-defendants were arrested and charged for the shooting death of rapper Quando Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin Saviay’a Robinson, a.k.a Lul Pab in Los Angeles.

On Aug. 19, 2022, Rondo, Robinson, and some associates were at a gas station in the Beverly Grove neighborhood when they were reportedly fired upon, striking Robinson, who succumbed to his wounds later. Authorities believe Rondo was the intended target but survived the ordeal, according to XXL.

During the investigation, authorities discovered one of the OTF members offered a lucrative music contract for anyone who killed Rondo, whose original name was Tyquian Bowman. The motive for the killing stemmed from a 2020 violent altercation outside an Atlanta lounge that led to the demise of Lil Durk's protégé King Von after Rondo’s friend shot him to death.

Durk reportedly booked two flights from South Florida airports: one to Dubai and one to Switzerland, where he booked a private flight to Italy. However, authorities swooped in on the defendant before he could board the plane.

The 32-year-old Lil Durk won the 2024 Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for his single "All My Life" featuring J. Cole. In addition, two Chicago suburbs had partnered with the defendant’s charity, Neighborhood Heroes Foundation, but had severed ties with the rapper after his arrest.

“While acknowledging that Durk and other suspects are presumed innocent, village residents have even higher moral and ethical standards of behavior. And our public partners must also reflect the same uncompromising standards. As mayor, protecting Broadview's interests and upholding the values of residents is job number one," stated Mayor of Broadview Katrina Thompson, reported CBS.  

“This is a significant step toward justice for Detective Sergeant Monica Mosley and her family. We are resolute in our commitment to ensuring that those responsible for this horrific act are held accountable. Our hearts remain with Detective Sergeant Monica Mosley's loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” said Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Nyshawn Mutcherson, 29, Jarred Brown, 31, and Richard Willis, 32, were all charged with murder, burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, and other related charges. Around 10:30 pm on Oct.15, officers responded to the 600 Block of Buckshutem Road after reports of multiple individuals kicking down the door of Mosley’s home.

Upon arrival, they found the detective in the home with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. During the investigation, authorities tracked a suspect to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was being detained and questioned for a gunshot wound. As a result, Mutcherson, Brown, and Willis were all arrested, followed by the arrest of 38-year-old Cyndia Pimentel, who was charged with hindering the investigation of Mosley's homicide.

In addition, security camera footage, phone records, and ballistics were used to make an arrest. The motive for the killing remains unclear.

"Sergeant Mosley was a constant friend and role model for all those with whom she served and led in the law enforcement community throughout Cumberland County and beyond. She served our community with honor, dignity and respect," said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, reported 6 ABC.

The victim has been a county detective for 15 years, though she started her career at the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office in 2006 as a paralegal. Specialist. Mosley is a mother of two daughters and a grandmother.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Chris Wagner sentenced Arthur Smith, 37, to the maximum penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of a Northside apartment handyman, Antwan Morris. Smith was found guilty and convicted of murder, felonious assault, and weapon under disability.

“Special thanks go out to the Cincinnati Police Department as well as Assistant Prosecutors Seth Tieger and Katie Casch for their outstanding work on behalf of our community prosecuting this matter, said Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers in a statement, according to Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Nov. 7, 2021,  around 1:30 pm, Morris had gone to the 1700 Block of Casey Drive to change the locks of the defendant’s girlfriend's apartment. Soon, an argument between the two men broke out when Smith shot the victim and followed the victim as he continued to punch Morris in the parking lot of the complex before Smith fled the scene.  There, officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound and rushed Morris to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead three days later.

“He didn’t deserve this. His children don’t deserve not to have a father,” said Antwan’s mother Tracy Morris during the victim impact statement, reported Fox 19 Now.

Ten days later, Smith was arrested and held on a $250,000 bond at the Hamilton County Justice Center. While incarcerated, the defendant conspired with an accomplice, 28-year-old Wendall Foster, to murder Devonte Hollis. Three weeks later, Hollis was allegedly shot to death by Foster as the victim sat on the front porch of a home on Beekman Street.

Morris’ family described him as a hard-working entrepreneur who was in the process of building a house for his autistic nephew before his demise.

Smith will be eligible for parole after serving 24 years. However, he faces additional life in prison as he awaits trial for the Hollis homicide.

On September 8, 2021, three 911 calls rang out from the couple’s home in the Gulf Breeze residential area of Santa Rosa County. Officers responded to the 6100 Block of Jenks Drive a third time after reports from a 911 dispatch hearing four gunshots while talking to Turner before the phone went silent.

Earlier in the afternoon, around 12:30 pm, Kuhn had called 911 to report an altercation between her and the victim. The couple had been in a heated argument because Turner wanted to take the children out of state against the defendant’s wish. Officers arrived at the home but left since there was no evidence of an altercation.

Later in the evening, Turner called 911 to report another domestic spat between the duo. Again, officers responded to the home a second time and reportedly left due to a lack of evidence of an altercation.  About an hour later, the victim called 911 again and reported Kuhn had tried to break his arm and had locked him in the garage when he tried to gain entry into the house.

While still on the phone with the 911 operator, a gunshot rang out, causing Turner to yell out in pain, saying his wife just shot him. Soon, three more shots followed, with Turner unresponsive while the phone went silent.

Upon their arrival, authorities found Turner in the garage with four gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. After news of the killing broke out, Santa Rosa Police Department faced a public outcry as to why its officers were unable to avoid the killing after responding to the home twice before the fatal incident.

“If there’s no evidence to support an arrest—any kind of violence or anything—we can’t make the arrest. And in both of these cases they were arguing over kids,” said Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson, reported Law and Crime.

During the trial, Kuhn claimed she fatally shot her husband in self-defense, with her lawyers arguing for a battered spouse syndrome defense. However, the medical examiner told the jury Turner died from four gunshot entry wounds to the back, which all exited from his chest.

Furthermore, the defense zeroed in on Turner’s alleged abusive behavior due to a brain injury and disability that stemmed from his medical discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps.

“He had issues with his brain, and you're going to hear Bree say, 'You're unstable. You're a danger to the kids,'" Etheridge said. "We're not talking about a normal person here," said Kuhn’s lawyer, Randy Etheridge, reported Pensacola News Journal.

The jury disagreed!

The couple’s children were at home during the fatal incident.

"I've seen a lot in my career, but, when you hear about and you see the circumstances like this here, you're still amazed at the cruelty people can have. And in this case it's toward a 2-month-old infant. To me, it doesn't get more evil than that," said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, according to Pensacola News Journal.

On Oct. 17, Escambia County Sheriff's Office responded to a call from Gulf Coast Kids House, a nonprofit advocacy center for child abuse victims, after reports of a 2-month-old boy suffered from severe injuries after being dropped on the kitchen floor.

As authorities investigated, they discovered the girl had communicated with Sykes via an online video game. The defendant had instructed the child to drown or burn the baby. Alternatively, Sykes instructed the girl to drop the baby on the kitchen hard floor.  During the interview with the 10-year-old, she told investigators how terrified she was of Sykes and believed if she didn’t carry out the defendant’s instruction, Sykes would kill her.

Furthermore, the 36-year-old defendant had also instructed the girl to kill her temporary guardians and their adult daughter by slitting their throats, dousing their bedsheets with aerosol, and setting their house on fire. Though the girl doused the sheets, she was unable to carry out the instructions after the guardian’s adult daughter found the correspondence between Sykes and the 10-year-old and the bedsheets.

“I have been in Law Enforcement for over 40 years and have never seen anything quite like this. I am truly disturbed by the circumstances and the thought that anyone could think like this, let alone instruct these acts to be carried out. There is something really wrong with her," said Simmons reported WEAR News.

Sykes was arrested at her home along the 2000 Block of Tomlinson Road. The defendant had previously been arrested for child neglect and endangerment in May.

The defendant faces additional charges.

A Queens District judge handed Xiaoning Zhang, 27, a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of renowned 66-year-old immigration lawyer Jim Li. Zhang was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, menacing in the third degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and harassment in the second degree.

“It is our hope that with this sentencing, the family, loved ones and legal community can find some solace in knowing the defendant has been held accountable for her crimes,” said Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz, reported by The Island 360.

On March 11, 2022, the New York Police Department responded to Li’s immigration office in Flushing after reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, they found the victim with stab wounds to the chest and neck and the defendant subdued by an office worker who witnessed the stabbing. Li was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

According to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, three days prior to the fatal incident, Li had told informed Zhang he was dropping her as a client after she admitted lying on her asylum application to being raped by the police in China. In addition, the defendant had asked Li to help her take down a picture of her protesting in front of the United Nations building from the internet, but the victim refused. In a rage, Zhang started choking Li before the police told her never to return to the victim’s office.

Three days later, Zhang returned to the office armed with a pairing knife and a large kitchen knife. Then, minutes after confronting Li, the defendant started stabbing the victim viciously.

At 15, Li enrolled in the Chinese Army and later became a constitutional law student at Beijing University. While being a doctoral student, Li represented  Beijing Workers Autonomous Federation and served two years in prison for his role in the Tiananmen Square protest movement.

Benjamin Paul Teal, 32, was found guilty and convicted by a jury of capital murder for the shooting death of 29-year-old Breanna Christine Dunn and 43-year-old Ronald Lee Calvert Jr.

At about 10 p.m., on March 23, 2023, the Denton County Police Department responded to the parking lot of Ridgecrest Apartments in the 1300 block of Dallas Drive, where they found the bodies of both victims in a car with gunshot wounds to the head, reported Denton Record-Chronicle.

At the crime scene, authorities found a phone left behind in the car that belonged to 30-year-old Silvester Williams, an accomplice of Teal. Phone records indicated Williams had sent a text to Calvert to meet at the complex at 9:15 pm, and the security surveillance camera captured both defendants getting out of the victim’s car.

Later, Mesquite Police Department received a 911 call from Williams, who claimed Teal had shot him in the face and stolen his girlfriend’s car. Then, authorities compared the casings from the double homicide with the casings at the Mesquite shooting. The ballistic report was a match, and Williams was arrested.

During the investigation, authorities established that Teal was the second suspect in the shooting. Hence, the defendant was arrested days later in Wichita Falls.

“We would like to recognize our Major Crimes, Special Operations, Forensic Services, and Evidence Management Units, as well as the Denton County District Attorney’s Office, for the extensive work that led to Teal’s conviction,” stated the Denton Police Department, according to The Cross Timbers Gazette.

Williams’ trial is scheduled for next year.

The Ohio native had spent most of her life in Florida, where she met her husband and had four children. The 80-year-old grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 15 went out for a walk on the evening of Feb. 1, 2017. Kelsoe had just stopped to chat with a neighbor at the Park City Mobile Home Park in Davie. The neighbor lived two doors down from her home and took out the mail from her mailbox while they continued their conversation. 

Next, a driver was seen speeding towards them along the intersection of Southwest 18th Street and 86th Avenue. Then, the victim pushed her neighbor out of the way while she and her dog took a hit and was run over by the suspect’s car, according to Local10.com.

Later, authorities retrieved surveillance video footage showing the car's driver making a U-turn to return to the scene and then speeding off. Since then, investigators have run out of leads, and no arrests have been made so far.

As a result, a $27,000 reward was offered for any information that would identify the killer. Nevertheless, the case remains cold.

Family members continue to ask the public for help through social media platforms, especially her Facebook Page, "Justice for Emma Kelsoe & Rondo.”

“I release balloons every year on her birthday and on the anniversary of her death in honor of her,” said Kelsoe’s youngest son, Mickey, reported Project: Cold Case.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact the Davie Police Department at (954) 693-8200. You can also remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward by calling Broward County Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477.

On Oct. 11, officers responded to a Detroit suburb home house in Rochester Hills after receiving a 911 distress call from a female about a violent home invasion and robbery in progress. Upon arrival, they found Hussein Murray, 72, a jewelry and pawn shop owner, unresponsive in his basement with his wrists and ankles duct-taped.

According to investigators, Hernandez and an accomplice, Joshua Zuazo, 39, had approached the couple’s home around 10 pm the previous night, claiming to be from a utility company, “DTE,” due to a gas leak check. However, Murray turned them away.

The next day, at about 10 am, the duo returned to the home, and this time, the victim allowed them in and led them to his basement, where he was allegedly killed. Soon, both men came back upstairs, duct-taped his wife in the kitchen, and asked her where the jewelry and money were before striking her across the face when she screamed.

Later, unbeknownst to the defendants, the woman was able to escape and call for help while the defendants fled the scene.

"She was actually in the kitchen area. She was able to get free enough to be able to get that phone," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, reported NBC.

Authorities in Shreveport, Louisiana, spotted Hernandez on Saturday as he drove south from Arkansas on Interstate 49. In addition, a fugitive task force arrested Zuazo in Plymouth Township, Michigan.

Both Hernandez and Zuazo were charged with felony murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence, and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. Hernandez is also facing an unrelated warrant for an alleged armed robbery.

A Shawnee County judge sentenced Jordan Robert Reynolds-Taylor, 28, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of 59-year-old Tammie Hanson. Robert-Reynolds pleaded guilty to first-degree murder during the commission of a felony.

On Jan. 1, 2024, the Shawnee County Police Department responded to Tyler Towers' high-rise apartments along the 600 SW Block of 14th Street for a welfare check. Upon arrival, they found Hanson’s body on the floor and discovered the victim had suffered a knife attack and had been dead for days.

According to Yahoo News, authorities retrieved surveillance cameras, which identified Reynolds-Taylor, who was seen entering the apartment, leaving, and returning a second time with a mask and blue gloves. Also, neighbors described the defendant as a suspect. As a result, authorities issued a search warrant for Reynolds-Taylor’s home, where they found a bloodied sweatshirt similar to the one the defendant was seen wearing on the security video footage. In addition, Reynolds-Taylor had a cut and a scab wound on his hand.

At the time of the defendant’s arrest, he was already in police custody for an unrelated charge.

The defendant told investigators he enjoyed visiting old people living in the area and had visited Hanson frequently.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

Reynolds-Taylor will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years at the Kansas Department of Corrections, reported MSN.

Though originally from San Joaquin and growing up in Oakland, California, Muhammad had moved to Louisiana with her mom, who had gotten a job with the city, to be closer to family members. On the day of the incident, the victim had been watching the Black Men of Labor’s yearly second-line parade with her 2-year-old nephew and her neighbor’s three children.

According to Project: Cold Case,  a gunman had walked up to Mohammad and shot her once in the head.  The New Orleans Police Department pronounced her dead at the scene. Four others were injured, including three men who got grazed by bullets and another woman who was shot in the leg. Further investigation led authorities to a handgun found a .40 caliber handgun a half block from the crime scene. However, no suspects have been arrested for her murder to date.

Initially, the media insinuated the Black Men of Labor’s parade as a catalyst for the shooting. However, there had not been reports of a shooting at or near the parade for four years before Mohammad’s demise. Nevertheless, a ceasefire match was initiated a week after the fatal incident by members of the Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force in partnership with SilenceIsViolence, another non-profit organization to advocate for peace in the community, reported Gambit.

The 32-year-old mother previously worked as a caretaker of autistic children and was ambitious to be a lawyer. The death of Mohammad was devastating for the family as the hope for an arrest and closure in the near future.

Mohammad is survived by her mother, Mahasin Muhammad, and her son, Neamiah Brown, who was two years old at the time his mother passed.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact the New Orleans Police Department at 504-658-6010. You can remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward by calling Broward County Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111.

A Webster County judge handed Alec Jones, 26, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 55-year-old Dennis Jones. After two hours of deliberation, Jones was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder.

"We are pleased with the jury's verdict. The work of the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff's Office, and the Iowa DCI helped secure justice for Dennis Jones and his family," said First Assistant Webster County Attorney Brad McIntyre, according to KCCI Des Moines.

In the afternoon of April 26, authorities responded to a ditch along the 2100 mile of 280th Street. After a mail carrier found a body that was later identified as Dennis Jones. Upon arrival, they found the victim had suffered three gunshot wounds in the torso, forehead, and above the ears, according to an autopsy report.

During the interview, Jones admitted to fatally shooting his father after Dennis Jones struck his wife and the defendant’s mother, Shannon Jones, in the face during a heated argument. As a result, Jones told investigators he decided to put an end to the abuse, with the defendant sending a text that night and stating someone was going to die.

Later, the defendant shot Dennis Jones as the victim exited his bedroom.

Before his demise, Dennis Jones had called 911 to report a threat against his life by his sons and his daughter, Megan Thacker, who was not a resident at the family home anymore. Before Thacker reached the residence, the video showed Jones and his brother getting into a vehicle driven by an acquaintance, Aiden Pate, with his girlfriend, Makayla McNeilly. Authorities tracked the group’s cell phone records, which showed where the defendant had disposed of the murder weapon, Dennis Jones’s cell phone, and a black glove before dumping the victim in the ditch. Video footage also showed Jones and Nathan Jones with cleaning supplies at the residence.

In the course of the sentencing hearing, Shannon Jones wept loudly until deputies removed her from the courtroom, reported The Daily Freeman-Journal.

Nathan Jones was charged with aiding and abetting murder in the first degree.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison sentenced Terreionna Paschal to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 41-year-old Todd Morgan. Paschal pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a gun specification.

“There’s nothing that the court can do to make this better, to make this OK, to make this any easier. I will say that the avoidance of a trial is a benefit to everyone because it is an extremely traumatic experience for everyone involved. There would be images and things that you would have to see that you could never un-see. And so I appreciate Miss Paschal for taking responsibility for this and making it so that the family does not have to go through any additional trauma based on the actions that occurred back in April of 2023,” said the judge during the sentencing hearing, according to WKYC.

On April 30, 2023, officers responded to Morgan’s house on a welfare check after he failed to pick up his 4-year-old daughter from school. Upon arrival, they found the victim’s body riddled with gunshot wounds to his head and torso.  An autopsy report later confirmed Morgan had been shot seven times.

Witnesses told authorities someone matching the defendant’s description left the premises in a light-colored car. Also, investigators discovered bloody footprints left through the back door of the house and used cigars with Paschal’s DNA on it. Furthermore, Paschal’s phone data and records placed her at the home when Morgan was killed.

Morgan and Paschal had met on Bumble, an online dating platform, and chatted for a few days before the fatal incident. Then, the victim invited the defendant to his house and sent Paschal $50 through CashApp.

"I would like to say I hope you burn in hell, but I can't because I'm a Christian. I serve a God. Todd's family deserves to know what really happened that day if you find the courage to tell the truth," said the victim’s mother, Sandy Morgan, reported News 5 Cleveland.

Paschal apologized to the victim’s family and will be eligible for parole after serving 23 years.

Morgan was a two-time CSU alumni after graduating with a bachelor's and master’s in business administration. At the time of his demise, the victim was a CSU Associate Professor.

Oahu Circuit Judge Rowena Somerville sentenced former Oahu Community Correctional Center training sergeant Anthony F. Pereira II to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 66-year-old Barbara Pereira. Pereira was found guilty by Somerville in a jury-waived trial of second-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, two counts of carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, according to the Hawaiian Tribune-Herald.

On June 10, 2016, officers responded to the home of Pereira in Maili, where they found him in his garage with a gun and his mother’s body on the floor.  During the trial, Dodie Guzman, 56, a victim involved with the incident, testified meeting the defendant at a mutual friend’s home before she followed Pereira to his home three days prior to the fatal incident.

Based on a ruse for a quick stop at his residence, the defendant lured Guzman into the home, then padlocked the gate and held her hostage with Barbara Pereira. Guzman told the court Pereira had shot his mother in the leg and bandaged her up before sending a warning shot past her head.

While holding Barbara Pereira and Guzman hostage, the defendant used his phone to call his wife and daughter on the phone before fatally shooting his mother three times in the eye, forehead, and arm.

Pereira’s defense team argued the 52-year-old defendant had suffered from emotional or mental disturbance. In addition, Pereira testified he does not recall shooting his mother and saying he was drinking and doing drugs. The defendant also told the court he had seen scary photos of his wife injured and the face of his daughter cut off. Though a psychologist examined Pereira, the court found the assessment for the defendant’s cognitive and volitional evaluation was not met.

The defense team attempted to persuade the court to sentence Pereira to a lesser sentence of 20 years on a manslaughter charge instead.

The judge disagreed and described the defendant’s action as callous and heinous.

During the sentencing hearing, Pereira addressed his family and claimed he loved his mother.

“For somebody to say that I don’t love mom, you guys know that’s not true. I love her with all my heart. I ask for forgiveness for putting mom in one situation that got her killed… and with that being said I’m sorry,” said Pereira, reported KHON 2.

Sommerville sentenced the defendant to an additional 20 years for the firearm charge and five years each for the other charges.

Christopher’s mother’s world was turned upside down upon receiving a phone call that her son was in the hospital. The victim fought a good fight for two weeks before he was taken off life support on his 15th birthday.

Christopher dreamed of driving trains and working for the transit department one day.

On June 27, 2012, Christopher had been walking home when an assailant walked up and shot him in the back of the head.  Though the fatal incident happened in front of some friends and family members, no one has come forward to identify the killer to date.

“I believe blood is on the hands of everyone that knew something and did nothing. I could look into these kids’ eyes and I can tell they are lying,” said Natasha Christopher during an anti-violence meeting in Brooklyn, according to WNYC.

Natasha Christopher now volunteers for Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety as an advocate for gun safety. In addition, the victim’s brother Christopher Underwood, now 17, has also become a prominent voice at gun control marches.

“I speak out for Akeal and for everyone who has experienced gun violence, including the siblings who lose their brothers and sisters and other children whose voices aren’t always heard,” said Underwood at one of the events, reported The Guardian

Over 12,000 Americans die from gun violence daily, with blacks and African American boys being the majority of the victims.

Anyone with information that could break the case wide open can contact the NYPD 83rd Precinct Detective Squad at (718)574-1796.

Clark County Superior Court Judge David Gregerson handed Kirkland Warren, 28, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the double homicide of Meshay Melendez, 27, and her daughter, Layla Stewart, 7. Warren pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree child molestation.

“Any possibly of this being some horrific accident or being mitigated in any way is squarely contravened by the depraved way in which Meshay and Layla’s bodies were disposed of by this defendant,” said Gregerson, according to FOX 12.

On March 22, 2023, officers responded to a rural area in nearby Washougal after someone caught a glimpse of two bodies and assumed they were mannequins. Later, an autopsy report showed Melendez suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of her temple, while her daughter, who was found naked from the waist down, died from two gunshots to the head and sexually assaulted by Warren. Furthermore, the autopsy revealed both victims were fatally shot with the same gun.

The day I lost them, I lost a part of myself. A part of me died with my girls. I am no longer a girl mom. I am no longer a grandmother,” said Melendez’s mother, Nichole Norris, reported People.

During the investigation, one of the defendant’s accomplices told authorities they had seen Melendez passed out in the passenger seat of Warren’s car before the defendant took her daughter from the accomplice’s home and drove off. Both mother and daughter were last seen near Vancouver Mall Drive and Northeast 77th Avenue on March 12, 2023.

Warren was initially identified as a person of interest. As a result, authorities arrested the defendant for a parole violation, a witness tampering charge, and a violation of a no-contact order due to a protection order filed and approved for Melendez. The defendant had pressured the victim to drop the charges after he shot up her apartment and assaulted her.

Hundreds of people paid their respect to Melendez and her daughter at Esther Short Park in Washougal days after their bodies were found.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mildred Escobedo sentenced Shawn Laval Smith, 34, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal stabbing death of UCLA grad student Brianna Kupfer, 24. After an hour of deliberations, Smith was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, special circumstance allegation of murder while lying in wait, and using a knife in the commission of a crime.

In the afternoon on Jan. 13, 2022, Los Angeles County officers responded to the 300 Block of North La Brea Avenue after reports of a violent stabbing incident. According to prosecutors, Smith, who had been homeless with a long criminal history, had been on the hunt for a random female victim to kill. Prior to the fatal incident, Smith had gone into six other stores before the defendant zeroed in on Kupfer, who had been working alone at Croft House in Los Angeles' Hancock Park neighborhood.

“Her guard was down. He was lying in wait for his perfect target. She had no idea what he planned to do to her,” said Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian to the jury during the trial, reported the New York Post.

Minutes before her demise, the victim had sent a text to someone stating she was getting a bad vibe from someone in the store. Soon and unprovoked, Smith stabbed Kupfer 46 times before he fled through the back door. Later, a customer found the victim’s body in the store.

Authorities discovered a tape recorder used by the defendant that captured Smith’s voice ordering the victim to the floor and telling her it was over while stabbing her and calling her a bitch multiple times.  In addition, a bloodied and bent knife was also found at the scene with Smith’s DNA on it.

A few days later, the defendant was arrested in Pasadena and told authorities he hated women.

Kupfer’s family described her as someone who added value to her community while improving herself.

"In many ways, [Brianna] embodied everything that is great about Los Angeles, and the entire city should grieve over this senseless act. Brianna was a smart, funny, driven and a kind soul who only wanted to better herself and her community on a daily basis," stated the family, according to FOX News.

"It just took the wind out of my body this morning. I love Diondre Overton. He's one of the best teammates that we've had come through," said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, according to Greenville News.

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, with the aid of the U.S. Marshall Service, arrested 20-year-old Jeremiah Diago Blanks in Detroit, Michigan. Blanks was charged with felony first-degree murder and is currently awaiting extradition to North Carolina.

On Sept. 7, officers arrived at a residence in Greensboro after receiving reports of a loud party and noise disturbance. Upon their arrival, they were informed a shooting had taken place and found Overton with a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of first responders with life-saving measures, the 26-year-old wide receiver was declared dead at the scene.

"He truly was one of the sweetest, spirited kids that we've had come through here and, again, truly a great teammate," said Swinney, reported CBS News.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Overton was a native of Greensboro. He graduated from Page High School and played for Clemson from 2016 to 2019. He earned a degree in sports communication.

Judge Giovanni Campbell handed Kylen Pratt, 23, a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his lover, Naasire Johnson.  Pratt was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and possession of an instrument of crime.

On Feb. 17, 2022, officers responded to Fairmount Park in West Philadelphia after two individuals found a human corpse burnt beyond recognition. Soon, authorities identified the victim as Johnson through DNA analysis.

Soon, an anonymous tip led investigators to focus on Pratt as a person of interest.

According to Metro Weekly, Johnson had used the services of an Uber to the defendant’s residence along the 2900 Block of Oxford Street on the same day the body was found.

Upon the victim’s arrival, Pratt shot Johnson in the neck and transported his body to Fairmont Park, where he lit the body on fire in an attempt to dispose of the body. During the investigation, authorities were able to use phone data to link both men at the defendant’s home and later at the park.  Furthermore, a search warrant for Johnson’s residence discovered a patch of the carpet was soaked with Johnson’s blood and the 9mm semi-automatic handgun Pratt used in killing his 20-year-old lover.

Investigators established the motive for the killing was because the defendant, who also dated women, didn’t want the relationship exposed.

“Make no mistake: The murder of Naasire Johnson was a hate crime. Kylen Pratt did not want anyone to know of his romantic involvement with the victim. I want to thank Philadelphia Police Detective Antoinina (Toni) Anderson for her excellent investigation in this case. I also sincerely thank the individual who provided the anonymous tip that led investigators to Kylen Pratt. And finally, I thank the family and friends of Naasire Johnson for their courage and strength throughout this extremely difficult trial,” said Assistant District Attorney Cydney Pope, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.  

Campbell sentenced Pratt to an additional four-and-a-half to nine years consecutively for the other charges.

“I think by definition she is a serial killer. Two or more offenses, so by definition, I think that’s a fair comment,” said Niagara Regional Police Chief Bill Fordy, according to People.

On Oct 1, Toronto police officers responded to a residence after receiving a distress call. Upon their arrival, they found a woman in her 60s unresponsive with visible marks of trauma on her body. While the investigation remains active, the next day, officers responded to John Allan Park in Niagara Falls, where they found 47-year-old Lance Cunningham with serious injuries.

Despite every life-saving measure made by first responders, the victim died at the scene. Then, on Oct 3, authorities found 77-year-old Mario Bilich unresponsive in a parking lot in Hamilton. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds. A neighbor’s security footage captured a woman following Bilich, a retired teacher.

Soon, investigators linked the crime scene in Hamilton and Niagara due to the similar description of the perpetrator. Photos of the defendant had been distributed to the public, and they showed a large, short woman wearing a head wrap and baggy clothes. As a result, they believe both victims were targeted at random. However, after linking the Toronto homicide to Kauldhar, authorities believe the defendant knew the first victim.

Later that evening, the defendant was arrested at a hotel in Burlington, Ontario.

“This is a horrific series of incidents that have left our community shaken and in mourning,” stated Fordy in a statement reported by The New York Times.

Investigators are in the process of identifying a woman caught on CCTV buying the clothes found in Kauldhar’s possession.  

Though Clewis’ son, Marco Clewis Jr., was usually with his mother, on Oct. 23, 2018, the victim suddenly insisted on spending time with the toddler, not knowing that would be the last time he would hold him. Around 12:30 am the next day, neighbors heard gunshots from Clewis’ residence.

Next, they observed the victim’s elder brother, Earl Clewis, 51, who lived just yards away, getting in his car to pursue the assailants. During the high-speed chase, he lost control of the vehicle moments later and crashed into a tree in the 3600 Block of Elsie Fay Heggins Street. Earl Clewis was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers who had responded to Marco Clewis’ home in the 4200 block of Copeland Street found the 40-year-old victim dead with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Unbeknown to the mother of both men, Earline Caldwell, 66, had been calling Earl Clewis to inform him about his brother’s murder when she was also informed of his demise.

Over the years, investigators have been unable to identify any suspects that would lead to any arrest to date. However, the victim’s mother believes the killing was personal and not because of a robbery gone wrong.   

“He wouldn't open the door for a stranger. He opened the door and was comfortable enough to turn his back, and that's when they shot him in the back of the head. He still had his jewelry on. He still had his money in his pocket. So, it was definitely personal," said Caldwell, reported The Dallas Morning News.

Clewis’ fiancée, Ameenah Muhammad, described him as outgoing and hard-working. He volunteered at different churches and fed many homeless people.

“The funeral was very sad. Him and his brother’s funeral was at the same time. You can never really say how long someone’s going to grieve. People say as time goes by you will get better, but that’s not always the case. You just learn how to deal with things but it doesn’t mean you got over what actually happened,” said Muhammad, according to Project: Cold Case.

Three months after the demise of both brothers, Caldwell’s third son, Matthew Clewis, 43, who had suffered from seizures after being shot in the head at the age of 14, succumbed after another major seizure. Both Marco and Earl Clevis had been his caretaker.

If anyone has any information that would help identify Marco’s killer, please contact the Dallas Police Department at (214) 671-3584. To maintain anonymity and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers at (214) 373-TIPS.

Recently, 20-year-old Tonie Wilson and an unidentified 16-year-old, because of his age, were arrested for murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and other related charges.

“I promise you we would clear this case. We would arrest those responsible for 'Juju's killing, and that's happened. I thank you for sticking beside us a long time,” said Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, according to News 19.

During the early hours of June 2, Columbia police officers responded to the 1400 block of Colonial Life Boulevard, off Bush River Road, after reports of shots fired.

According to The State, a fight had broken out in the parking lot of Roll-Out Wangz, Eggrollz and Thangz Bar and Restaurant. Wilson and the unidentified teen had an ongoing argument that allegedly stemmed from a previous location to the graduation party at the restaurant. Both suspects were on opposing sides with their groups when Keel, who was not a part of the altercation, tried to leave when he was fatally shot.

The 16-year-old defendant was on probation wearing an ankle monitor bracelet for a previous charge of car theft during the shooting.

Investigators recovered more than 50 spent shell casings at the crime scene and seized four weapons, including a 300-blackout assault rifle, which they believe is the murder weapon.

Keel was a star three-sport athlete at Keenan High School at the time of his demise.

Schenectady County Court Judge Matthew Sypniewski sentenced Christopher Smith-Wadsworth to 28 ½ years to life in prison for the brutal stabbing death of Sutlesh Girdharry, 24. Smith-Wadsworth was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

On Jan. 1, 2022, officers responded to a residence on Curry Road in the Town of Rotterdam where some friends and individuals were celebrating the New Year after reports of a violent altercation. According to prosecutors, an argument had ensued between some individuals who had left the party earlier, only to return in a two-car mob reinforcement for a violent confrontation. During the altercation, Smith-Wadsworth stabbed Girdharry multiple times with brute force and precision, which led to the victim’s demise.

“The degree of controlled focus, rage, precision, that is shocking that somebody is capable of doing. But here, take your pick, he went five for five, that is unique. The power, force, direction it takes, so you take a life like that, you deserve to go,” said Sypniewski during the sentencing hearing, according to Times Union.  

During the investigation, some witnesses did not know the defendant, while some who were Smith-Wadsworth’s friends were uncooperative with authorities. Meanwhile, Smith-Wadsworth’s defense team argued that the defendant stabbed Girdharry in self-defense, but the jury disagreed.

“In the end, the jury concluded that Smith-Wadsworth had brought a knife to a fistfight with an unarmed man and delivered a sequence of lethal plunging stab wounds to Mr. Girdharry’s forearm and then his neck, both of which severed arteries, and were in no way justifiable under the circumstances and proved that his intent was to kill,” said District Attorney Robert M. Carney reported Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

Though the probation officer recommended a minimum sentence of 15 years in Smith-Wadsworth’s pre-sentence report, the victim’s family believed the defendant was not remorseful and asked the court to sentence him to the maximum penalty under the law.

The judge agreed!

Judge Ericka Englert handed Jonathan Nuno-Mijangos a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the strangulating death of his wife, Jasmin Cigarroa, 24. Nuno-Mijangos was found guilty and convicted by an Adam County jury of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, tampering with a deceased body, and abuse of a corpse.

“It has been three years and 5 months since we lost Jasmin and today justice was finally served when Jonathan received his sentence of life in prison. Jasmin can finally rest peacefully,” stated the victim’s brother Francisco Cigarroa, according to Law & Crime.

On March 10, 2021, officers responded to the couple’s home in the 7500 Block of E. 28th Avenue after they received a call from Nuno-Mijangos claiming his wife was missing. During an initial interview, the defendant told authorities his wife had texted him a day prior to inform him she would be going out with friends later in the day, but she never returned. However, Cigarroa’s car and phone were still at the residence.

Later, investigators got a tip from a neighbor who heard a loud boom around 11 am on March 9, 2021, followed by Cigarroa’s dog barking. The same neighbor later sighted Nuno-Mijangos pulling out of the garage with his wife’s car and moving his car inside. Furthermore, authorities discovered the victim had logged on to work in the wee hours of the day she disappeared but never logged out.  As a result, investigators interviewed one of Cigarroa’s colleagues, who told them they had made plans to meet with the victim that evening, but she never showed up. Later, they had gone to her home but couldn’t reach Cigarroa either.  

During the investigation, Nuno-Mijangos told authorities he had been home after returning from work, but they tracked Nuno-Mijangos’s movement using his phone records and data. Pings from phone towers showed the defendant was near E. 26th Avenue and Powhaton Road, where they found Cigarroa’s body in a shallow grave wrapped in a black plastic bag with duct tape.

Prosecutors believe the motive for the killing was due to domestic violence.

Previously, the victim had filed charges of physical against her husband after he had grabbed her throat while pinning her down on the bed during an argument. As a result, Nuno-Mijangos was charged with second-degree assault before her demise.

“Jasmin Cigarroa was a hard-working, intelligent and loving woman whose death at such a young age, and at the hands of her husband, was a terrible tragedy. I want to commend the members of my office and the Denver Police Department who worked on the case, as well as the members of the jury, for holding Mr. Nuno-Mijangos accountable for this senseless murder,” said Denver District Attorney McCann, according to Denver 7.

Circuit Court Judge Coleman Robinson sentenced Alex Vega to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of an inmate at the Century Correctional Institution. An Escambia County jury convicted Vega of second-degree murder.

According to prosecutors, on Sept.15, 2021, the defendant stabbed another inmate to death with a contraband handmade weapon, also known as a shank. At the time of the incident, 29-year-old Vega was serving a 15-year sentence for an unrelated charge, as reported by FOX 10 News.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

“She deserves justice for what was done to her. We deserve it, her girls deserve it, our family. Someone has to be held accountable one way or another,” said McAllister’s father, Bill McAllister, according to Spectrum News.

On Dec. 22, 2016, McAllister’s body had been discovered in an alley after authorities found out her lover and two other friends had been responsible for dumping her there. Upon further investigation, McAllister’s boyfriend told authorities he had returned home to find her unconscious. As a result, he called two other friends to help rush her to the hospital. However, 22-year-old McAllister died on the way, and they panicked, hence deciding to abandon her in the alley on 63rd Avenue South in St. Petersburg.

Investigators discovered McAllister had been fatally strangled, thereby ruling the death a homicide.  After chasing several leads, investigators hit a dead end and could not make any arrests. As a result, the case went cold. 

McAllister’s drug abuse and history are not lost on her family and friends who loved her. The victim's road to recovery had been rocky since she started experimenting with drugs as a teenager. At some point, McAllister successfully became sober, primarily through her pregnancy, before giving birth to a set of twins. According to her parents, Bill and Leslie McAllister, her prescription of Percocet catalyzed her relapse and drug abuse.

Project: Cold Case, a non-profit organization, has embarked on placing cards of unsolved murders in jails across the state of Florida.

Family members remain hopeful that one day, her killer will be identified and arrested.

"It gives you a little more hope, and maybe that one person will see that card and just say hey, I know this about this case, and that might be just the one tip that we need," said Leslie McAllister, reported ABC Action News.

If anyone has any information that would help identify McAllister’s killer, please get in touch with call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Circuit Judge Shanlyn Park sentenced Nainoa Damon, 22, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 18-year-old Ha’aheo Kolona.

On March 18, 2022, Kolona and a group of teens were at the Lookout at Round Top Drive on Tantalus when Damon tried to rob them. The victim tried to stop the defendant when the defendant shot him to death.

"My brother was killed by Nainoa, who wanted to look cool in front of his friends -- all over a chain and a girl," said the victim’s sister, Kawena Kolona, according to Island News.

During the sentencing hearing, Kolona’s father, Blake Kolona,  told the judge Damon was a troubled man who thought he was cool and wanted to act like a gangster. Hence, he asked the judge to sentence the defendant to life without the possibility of parole, which would have been the maximum penalty.

On the other hand, Damon’s grandmother spoke about the defendant as a caregiver to his grandfather and how he struggled as a youth. Then, she asked the judge to show mercy.

The judge obliged, stating Damon's age at the time of the crime and that he had no prior criminal record.

Kolona’s father, who brought his son’s ashes to court, was outraged at the sentencing and believed Damon got the sentence because his mother and stepfather were officers of the Honolulu Police Department.

“15 years good behavior, he’s out. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for my rudeness right now, but that’s unacceptable,” he said. “I’m unhappy with the system and I question corruption 100 percent,” said Blake Kolona, reported Hawaii News Now.

The defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years in prison.

At the time of his demise, Kolona was a senior at St. Louis School.

Recently, the New York Police Department (NYPD) responded to a home in a Lower Manhattan building just after 11 p.m. after reports of a robbery and shots fired. 16-year-old Dante Schaller was charged with murder, burglary, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to CBS News.

On Sept. 9, 54-year-old Liu was home with her family when they heard a commotion in their hallway. According to investigators, three young suspects wearing ski masks had followed the 61-year-old victim’s husband into his building elevator and tried to rob him. Upon arrival on the 8th floor where Liu’s family apartment is located, the victim’s son, Lin Rong Yan, 32, who buzzed his father in and had been expecting him, witnessed the robbery in the hallway and tried to help his father, but got pistol whipped instead.

Soon, Liu came out with a stick to help defend her family when one of the suspects shot her in the face before they fled the scene with her husband’s cell phone.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. She worked as a home health aide.

Later, authorities retrieved surveillance video footage from a nearby deli 40 minutes before the fatal incident that captured Schaller and the two other suspects wearing the same clothes they wore during the botched robbery.

A search warrant was issued by the police for the teen’s home on East 167th Street. There, they found the same red hoodie Schaller wore on the day of the incident with a 9mm live round. Authorities also found 9mm shell casings at the crime scene around the stairwell and hallway of Liu’s building.

“It’s all surreal. I feel only sadness right now,” said Lin Rong Yan, reported New York Post.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting can contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker handed Rashad Trice a life sentence in federal prison for the strangulation death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith. To avoid the death penalty, Trice pleaded guilty to kidnapping, resulting in death one week after he received another life sentence without parole on state charges at Ingham County Circuit Court. In addition, he was sentenced to 60-90 years for the violent assault against Cole-Smith’s mother. Trice also accepted a plea deal for the state charges and was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. 

“Today we have achieved a measure of justice. We can’t bring back the precious life of Wynter Cole-Smith, but we can do our best to ensure her killer is found guilty and spends the rest of his life in prison, which is what we’ve done today.”  Totten continued: “I am so grateful to the hundreds of officers from over two dozen law enforcement agencies who came running to join the statewide search for Wynter Cole-Smith. Their commitment to protect and serve was overwhelming,” said Western District of Michigan U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On July 2, 2023, Trice got into a heated argument with Cole-Smith’s mother, which led to the woman stabbing the defendant, and in return, Trice stabbed her multiple times and assaulted her sexually. Then, Cole-Smith’s mother managed to escape to her mother’s residence in the same apartment complex, leaving her 1-year-old son and daughter behind. Soon, Trice took the 2-year-old with him and fled the scene.

Lansing Police Department was alerted and soon placed a “Be-on-the-Lookout” (BOLO) for a white Chevrolet Impala. The next day, Trice was spotted in St. Clair Shores and was apprehended after a car chase, but Cole-Smith was not with him. Hence, authorities used the defendant’s phone to map out his movements and found the child’s body in an overgrown Detroit alley on July 5. An autopsy report showed the victim had been strangled with a phone cord. 

“This was a senseless tragedy that shook our community to its core. While nothing can replace the loss of Wynter Cole Smith. I hope today’s sentencing offers some solace to Wynter’s family who have endured unimaginable pain," ,” stated Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus, reported The Detroit News.

Though the charges are unclear, federal prosecutors are expected to unseal the indictment on Thursday. The embattled mayor has been in the spotlight since the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office started an investigation based on the Turkish government allegedly funneling donations to Adams’ 2021 campaign chest.   

In November 2023, federal agents raided the mayor’s fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, at her Crown Heights brownstone townhome. Authorities searched the home for evidence linking Adams to a conspiracy between the Turkish government and a Brooklyn Construction firm called KSK Construction Group as conduits to funnel funds into the mayor’s campaign using straw donors.

Four days later, federal agents swooped on Adams after he left an event in Manhattan, seized his phones and iPad without incident, and claimed he had nothing to hide.

“As a former member of law enforcement, I expect all members of my staff to follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation — and I will continue to do exactly that,” said Adams, according to AP.

Furthermore, the warrant covered the seizure of campaign documents, travel logs, and evidence of wire fraud, with Adams benefiting from free Turkish Airlines flights and upgrades. Recently, the mayor boasted about his relationship with the Turkish government at a flag-raising event for Turkey in Lower Manhattan. During the event, the mayor stated that no mayor in New York's history had visited Turkey as much as he had.

“I think I’m on my sixth or seventh visit,” said Adams, reported the New York Times.

The federal corruption investigations had a wide-reaching impact on the mayor’s circle and New York law enforcement officials. As a result, several of Adam’s top cabinet officials, such as NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, and Schools Chancellor David Banks, have resigned.

At the time she was declared missing, McQuiag was a wife and the mother of a 4-year-old son.

The 27-year-old pharmacist’s car was found a few days after her disappearance in a Walmart parking lot off Normandy Boulevard. She was designated as a missing person by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office until a survey crew found some human remains two years after her disappearance in a wooded area near Cecil Field. An autopsy report later identified the remains as McQuaig and ruled the death as a homicide, according to The Florida Times-Union.

The location was just three miles off the same road where authorities found the victim’s car.

Despite several investigations and family efforts to place her story in media outlets such as America’s Most Wanted, it yielded no arrest to date. Eleven years after the murder, the Justice Coalition offered a $5,000 reward in hopes someone would come forward with information that would lead to an arrest. However, the case remained cold.

"Somebody knows something, I know they do and they've got to come forward. It has been too long, Tina needs justice, we need an answer," said McQuaig’s mother, Linda Rice, reported First Coast News.

Anyone with information that could break the case wide open can contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500. To remain eligible and maintain anonymity, you can call Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477.

On Saturday, around 1:15 am, officers responded to the parking lot of an apartment complex along 1341 8th Avenue North after reports of an active shooter in the neighborhood. Upon arrival, they found 25-year-old Jalab Moses on the floor, bleeding from gunshot wounds to the chest. First responders attempted to stabilize the victim, but Moses died on the scene.

Tyreik Taylor-Roberts was identified as the shooter after he admitted to shooting Moses in self-defense. He claimed he and the victim had been in a heated argument in the parking lot when Moses tried to take his gun from him. In addition, Taylor-Roberts told investigators that the victim appeared to be reaching for a weapon after he had threatened to stab him.

However, according to Valley News Live, a witness told authorities they saw Taylor-Roberts shoot Moses first during the argument and then shoot the victim a second time after he had fallen to the floor. In addition, the witness informed the authorities there was an unidentified third party who was present during the altercation before he fled the scene in a vehicle.

During the initial interview with Taylor-Roberts, the defendant told investigators he did not see any weapon, and neither did investigators find one at the scene. However, authorities recovered the gun used by Taylor-Roberts at the scene.

Later, authorities zeroed in on the defendant’s apartment after issuing a search warrant. They found suspected fentanyl pills and a smoking device. Taylor-Roberts is expected to face a drug charge, reported KFGO.

The case remains active, and investigations are still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the case can contact the Red River Regional Dispatch Center at 701-451-7660 or make anonymous tips at 701.241.5777.

A 12th Judicial District judge handed Latoya Johnson a life term in prison for the shooting death of Alain Sierra. Johnson was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder with a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, and tampering with evidence.

“The successful prosecution of this senseless murder was directly attributable to the quick response of Sarasota Police Department personnel in the immediate aftermath of Alain Sierra’s death,” said Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig, according to News Channel 8.

On Jan. 1, 2022, officers responded to Pantellini’s Restaurant in downtown Sarasota after a violent altercation. According to FOX 13, during Florida’s annual New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop, the defendant had been with a group at the restaurant, sitting against the wall, when one of Sierra’s relatives, who was intoxicated, threw up on someone next to Johnson. Soon, a fight broke out with Johnson holding a black handgun and kicking the victim’s relative.

Meanwhile, Sierra, who had been sitting outside on the restaurant’s patio, rushed towards the commotion to defend his family by hitting the defendant on the head. Then, Johnson turned around and shot the victim before she fled the scene.

Upon the arrival of first responders, Sierra was rushed to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

Based on the description of witnesses, police officers tracked down Johnson near Whole Foods on Second Street, where the defendant was seen hiding the murder weapon in a potted plant. She was arrested immediately. Later, investigators retrieved video footage that captured the fatal incident and the events that led up to it.

Johnson, who had many felony convictions, also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm by a convicted felon.

On June 12, 2012, Batten and his father went to a hunting camp for a weekend in South Carolina to help clean the area for the upcoming hunting season. Batten was an IT expert who had previously worked at AOL and Citi Bank but was also outdoorsy.

After the duo arrived at the camp on Friday evening, Batten’s father slept early for the next day’s preparation. The victim, who was bored, decided to take a walk around the campground since it was empty. The next day, Batten’s father noticed his son had not returned to their cabin, then, in a panic, called the authorities to declare him missing.  

According to an Apple Podcast, the next day, the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the road where a driver found Batten’s body. Upon arrival, they discovered Batten suffered a head trauma, but authorities could not find any evidence of a hit and run. During the investigation, there were no leads; hence, the case went cold to date. On the other hand, the victim’s parent believes someone out there has information about the death of their son.

“Someone must know something somewhere, because something this tragic — it just couldn’t be done by one person, I don’t think,” said Batten’s father, according to Project: Cold Case.

Batten’s family continues to seek justice and hopes the authorities will make an arrest someday.

If anyone has any information that would identify Batten’s killer, please get in touch with the South Carolina Highway Patrol at 803-896-9621 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-Crime-SC.

On July 14, the Minneapolis Police Department responded to a church along Oak Park Avenue North and Penn Avenue North, where they found the body of 57-year-old Felisha Smith. Upon arrival, they found the victim partially undressed with injuries on her face and upper body.

According to KSTP.COM, an autopsy report showed she was sexually assaulted and died due to blunt-force trauma to her head. Furthermore, the report showed her hyoid bone was broken, and she had hemorrhaging around her brain, neck, and clavicle. As a result, her death was ruled a homicide.

During the investigation, authorities retrieved CCTV video footage that identified 38-year-old Byron Vinicio Vargas Bautista walking with Smith the evening of the previous day before her demise along Chicago and Lake streets. The pair were seen disembarking a public transit bus at a bus stop in the Minneapolis North axis. Later, the video captured Bautista carrying the victim towards the Spirit of the Lord Church on Penn Avenue, where Smith’s body was found.

The victim was last seen at her residence at The Estates at Chateau, a long-term care facility after she signed herself out. Smith’s children told investigators their mother had suffered a brain injury after a 2014 shooting, and they did not recognize the defendant or how he came to know their mother.

After Bautista’s arrest, he acknowledged being the person in the video footage but told investigators he had no recollection of the events of that day.  

He was charged with second-degree murder and faces a 40-year sentence.

"If Minnesota had the death penalty, I wish that he would get that," said Smith’s daughter Bianca Harvey, reported FOX 9.

On Thursday, pandemonium broke out at the Letcher County Courthouse after several shots were fired. Officers rushed to the scene after receiving a distress 911 call and found the body of District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, with several gunshot wounds.

“We have 120 sheriffs that work on a daily basis with our judges. We work more closely with them than any other elected officials. No one saw this coming. I don’t know how you prepare for this,” said Executive Director of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Jerry Wagner, according to CNN.

Stines allegedly shot Mullings after a heated argument between the two inside the courthouse. Though it's not established yet if the defendant used his service weapon to commit the crime, he was arrested without incident at the courthouse.  

Law enforcement and judicial officers described both men as pillars in the community. As a result, the shooting has rocked the small town of Whitesburg to its core.

"Both men were my friends, and work family, and I saw them almost daily while we were at work. Even the judge and the sheriff ate lunch together that day," said Letcher County Circuit Clerk Mike Watts, according to ABC News.

Though the motive for the killing is still unclear, Stines had been deposed in a sexual lawsuit regarding his failure to investigate a former colleague, Deputy Sheriff Ben Fields, who sexually abused a woman in Mullings’ chambers. Until the fatal incident, the 43-year-old Stines had been the county sheriff for 8 years.

Mullins was appointed Kentucky’s 47^th District Court judge in 2009 by then-Gov. Steve Beshear, the father of the current governor. The victim was described as an individual with a passion for helping inmates who need substance abuse treatments. He was a guest speaker at a drug summit in 2022.

Brian Crossman Jr., 22, was arrested in New York by the Warren County Police Department, where he is currently being held on a fugitive charge while awaiting extradition to face three counts of aggravated murder in Vermont.  

On September 15, Vermont police officers responded to a family home along Route 13 in Pawlet, where they found three deceased individuals. Soon, they identified the victims as Brian Crossman Sr., 46, his wife Erica Crossman, 41, and her son Colin Taft, 13.

Though the defendant had called 911 to report the incident and told authorities he had gone for a walk and returned to find his family slain, They didn’t believe him. Soon, investigators linked Crossman Jr. to the crime scene with significant evidence, digital information, injuries, and several inconsistent statements. According to the New York Post, Crossman Sr. was shot in the head and the torso, his wife Erica was shot in the head, and Taft had several gunshot wounds.  

Family members told authorities Crossman Jr. had a history of mental health issues, aggressive behaviors, and a learning disability.

Crossman Sr. was a member of the Pawlet Select Board, where he served as a liaison between the town’s highway department and its property developments.

"This tragedy that struck him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shaken and grieving. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating loss. The town of Pawlet will work to get through this as we always get through hard times, by supporting each other and doing our best to carry on," said Pawlet Select Board Chair Mike Beecher, reported ABC News.

The motive for the killings remains unclear.

The defendant was charged with murder, attempted murder, assault of a law enforcement officer, and vigilantism, according to CBS News.

On Wednesday, Moscow police responded to Wildberries, the office of the online retail giant, after a violent dispute erupted over the company's merger.   Vladislav’s estranged wife and billionaire tycoon, Tatyana Bakalchuk, who filed for divorce during the summer, had initiated a merger between her company Wildberries and Russ Group, an advertising agency, to form a company named RVB. The move made Tatyana Bakalchuk, who owned ninety-nine percent of Wildberries, become a 65 percent shareholder of RVB.

After Vladislav arrived with some colleagues at the office building, shots soon rang out. The defendant claimed he was there for a pre-arranged meeting, but his wife denied it and told authorities her husband had been there to seize the office.

“Vladislav, what are you doing? How will you look into the eyes of your parents and our children? How could you bring the situation to such absurdity?” said Tatyana Bakalchuk, reported Reuters.

The Kremlin reported Vladimir Putin approved the merger, but the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov disapproved of it and called it an asset grab.

Tatyana Bakalchuk founded Wildberries in 2004 and is ranked the 40th richest woman in the world. Before the merger, Vladislav owed a one-percent stake in Wildberries.

Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith at the Auckland High Court sentenced Tribesman gang member and Seagent-at-arms, Teratutonu Herewini, 37, to six years in prison for the shooting of the gang’s President, Dion Snell.  Though he was charged with attempted murder initially, Herwini pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

“The shots you fired were not warning shots and they were not fired at limbs. It was just luck the inflicted wounds were non-fatal. You are incredibly lucky, Mr Herewini, that you are not being sentenced for a homicide and Mr Snell is very lucky to be alive,” said Wilkinson-Smith during the sentencing phase, according to The New Zealand Herald.

In November 2022, the Tribesmen had gathered for a meeting, including Snell, when the defendant walked through the crowd holding a gun before he fired the first shot at the victim. Soon, both men and another individual were seen running through a crowded South Oakland Park. Two more shots were fired in succession, with one hitting Snell in the arm and another in his chest. The victim was rushed to Middlemore Hospital, where he underwent surgery and survived the ordeal.

Later, authorities retrieved surveillance video footage that captured the incident, that clearly identified Herewini as the perpetrator. The defendant’s lawyer, Ish Jayanandan, claimed the motive for the shooting stemmed from the defendant’s effort to quit the gang, which led to a heated argument between the duo. Furthermore, Jayanandan told the court her client was attempting to make things right with his family to avoid them getting caught up in anticipated violence.

Though Herewini had been involved in gang life since the age of 13, the court considered mitigating circumstances regarding his sentence, which consisted of the defendant not being able to attend school as a victim of child abuse. Over the years, Herewini has had forty convictions, including aggravated robbery and assault, reported Stuff.

On the other hand, Snell remained loyal to the gang code by not cooperating with investigators despite being a victim of the incident. He was last seen riding his motorbike days after his release from the hospital.

On Tuesday night, Timothy Sean Hickerson, now 43 years old, was placed in custody by Flagler County Sheriff’s Office based on an arrest warrant from Prince William County Police Department in Virginia. However, authorities still don’t have a body.  

"yes, yes, yes. I've been waiting a long time for this to happen," stated Donahue’s mother, according to Inside Nova.

Donahue was declared missing on March 22, 2010, after he left his parents’ home on the 12000 Block of Aden Road. His phone had been turned off, which was the last time anyone had seen the victim. At the time, authorities zeroed in on Hickerson as a person of interest since he was the last person seen with Donahue. The two men left Donahue’s family home and headed towards the victim’s residence nearby.

According to prosecutors, Donahue had been paid $5,000 that day for a contract to install ceiling tiles and had paid Hickerson $1,000 to assist with the job. To date, Donahue’s body has never been found.

Over the years, investigators have followed up on several leads, but there was no evidence to tie the defendant to the crime. Since Donahue went missing, Hickerson had served four years in federal prison after breaking into two Northern Virginia gun stores.  

With advancements in analytical technology, investigators revisited the case and reviewed all "digital evidence from scratch in greater detail, reported CBS News. Hence, they established that Hickerson was connected to a burglary at Donahue’s residence before his disappearance.

Hickerson was also charged with burglary and is awaiting extradition to face a jury trial in Virginia.

If anyone has information that could aid the police in the ongoing case, please contact the Prince William County Police Department at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Phil Seay handed Shawna Alyssa Masten, 31, to life in prison for the death of 46-year-old Rebekah Poe. Masten pleaded guilty to one felony count of murder and fourteen other felony charges.

On the evening of Nov. 20, 2022, Masten and a 31-year-old co-defendant, Christopher Cody Masters, had been breaking into vehicles in the residential parking lot of Skyline Trail when Poe accosted the duo. In an effort to confront them, the victim was run over in the presence of her husband and daughter.  

Witnesses told police the two suspects were driving a Black Dodge Charger as they sped towards Stemley Bridge Road, according to AL.com. During the investigation, authorities analyzed thousands of digital devices and phone records from communication companies. As a result, they could place both Masten and Masters at the scene of the crime.

Soon, authorities discovered the defendants had fled out of state to avoid capture. In addition, both Masten and Masters were recently released from prison for prior felony convictions a few months before the fatal incident. Later, Masten was arrested and extradited from Colorado to stand trial at St. Claire County. Meanwhile, Masters is still awaiting trial. 

At the time of her demise, Poe was an employee of Waffle House and a dedicated church member.

"I have lost my wife, my best friend, and my soulmate. My girls have lost their mother, their best friend, and their mentor. She lived every day to serve the Lord by ministering to others before herself. She was an irreplaceable friend to her family and to every person she came into contact with. Her kindness and beautiful smile made people feel they were valued and important regardless of who they were,” stated the victim’s husband, Scotty Poe, reported ABC 3340.  

“This office is determined to investigate and prosecute anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful or wealthy or famous you may be.  A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he’s been indicted and will face justice,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, according to The Washington Post.

Federal agents swooped in on the hip-hop mogul after a sealed indictment was filed at a federal courthouse in the Southern District of New York. The 54-year-old Combs pleaded not guilty after he was arraigned before U.S. District Court Judge Robyn Tarnofsky.

The defendant was accused of allegedly forcing sex trafficking victims to perform group sexual acts with associates and friends that Combs tagged “Freak-Offs.” It was reported that Combs recorded the events and watched them at a later time while masturbating. Furthermore, the indictment detailed how Combs and the victims used drugs and had to receive IV fluids due to exhaustion after the sexual acts.

Six months before the arrest, authorities raided the home of the defendant in Los Angeles and Miami. There, they found narcotics, over a thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and three AR-15 rifles. Some of Combs’ employees were reported to have procured the hotel services, lubricants, and lighting and made the travel reservations for commercial sex workers across state lines.

Combs’ defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued for a $50 million bail bond with equity from the real estate properties that Combs and his mother owned in Miami. However, prosecutors argued that the defendant posed a flight risk and was predisposed to tampering with witnesses. The judge agreed, and Combs was denied bail.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. attorney’s office. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person but is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court," said Agnifilo, reported TMZ.

Combs is also facing a flurry of lawsuits since his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura claimed the defendant physically abused her and raped her for years. Combs settled the suit and apologized for his actions after CNN aired a video footage that showed the defendant kicking and throwing Ventura on the floor eight years prior.

Combs’ defense team is appealing the decision to deny the defendant bail. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.   

4th Judicial Circuit Judge Judge Tatiana Salvador sentenced Bursey Armstrong, 35, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of popular DJ, Tasheka Renette Young, a.k.a. “TySheeks”, 34, and her unborn child. After less than an hour, a jury found Armstrong guilty of two counts of second-degree murder.

"You killed the mother of your children. You killed your unborn child ... (your children) don't have that mother and father to raise them," said Salvadore to the defendant during the sentencing hearing, according to First Coast News.

In July 2022, the Jacksonville Police Department responded to 12450 Biscayne Blvd after receiving a 911 call from Young’s mother, Olivia Young. She had found her daughter’s bloodied body on the bedroom floor, unresponsive, with her grandchildren in the same room.

Later, authorities searched Armstrong’s parent’s home, where they found his blood-stained clothes under the stairs and a 9mm Glock buried in the backyard. Though Armstrong showed up at the scene of the crime, he was arrested the next day.

Olivia Young told investigators she got concerned when the defendant sent her a text asking for her daughter’s whereabouts. Spooked, she called Young, whom she spoke with daily, and couldn’t reach her. During the trial, Olivia Young told the jury the defendant and her daughter had a violent relationship. She stated that two weeks before the fatal incident, Armstrong had held a gun to her daughter’s head.

In addition, prosecutors used his phone records, DNA, and other evidence to link the defendant to the crime.

During the victim impact statement, Armstrong lashed out at Olivia Young and told the court she had no love.

“When you’re guilty, you’ll say anything, you have no compassion. He never said I’m sorry and his children watched it happened and told me ‘Mema, Daddy killed Mommy.’ He watched it. The baby boy watched it,” said Olivia Young after the hearing, reported Action News Jax .

Young’s family described her as outgoing and generous. She worked with the Power 106.1 Radio Show.

Shawnee County District Judge Cheryl Rios handed Mariann L. Belair, 24, a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her daughter, Lawrencia Perez-Belair. A jury found Belair guilty of one count of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony and one count of aggravated child endangerment.

According to CBS News, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a majority of children killed while playing with guns took place in an apartment or home – more than 50% of the deaths were in the child's own house. 

On Oct.14, 2023, the defendant, who resided at 435 N.E. Grattan Ave. in northeast Topeka's Oakland community, told the jury she was getting ready to go and get some food for her son, daughter, and 1-year-old daughter. Then, Belair removed her 9mm handgun from her diaper bag and placed the handgun on the couch next to her. She testified that Lawrencia had distracted her to take a cellphone picture of them when her two-year-old son grabbed the gun and shot his sister to death.    

In a rebuttal, prosecutors argued the defendant’s gun had been on the couch next to her in plain view for about 12 minutes. Hence, the law requires her to be culpable for her daughter’s death.

“No reasonable person would have let the gun sit there so long with small children present,” said Shawnee County Deputy District Attorney Lauren Amrein, reported The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Meanwhile, after Belair’s trial, the defendant filed a motion to fire her trial lawyer, Nick David and asked the court for a new trial or for her conviction to be set aside. Belair claimed David had discouraged her from taking the 10-year and 3-month plea deal initially offered by the prosecutor’s office.

The judge denied the motion.

Belair will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of her sentence.

Jackson’s family described him as an outgoing person who would make friends with anybody, hence why his death has remained a puzzle, and the motive for the killing is still unknown.

According to Newsome Wolf Tracks, on March 19, 2019, Jackson returned to his home in Washington Loop around 11 p.m. after getting a ride from work. However, the family never heard from him the next day, which was quite unusual, so they reported him missing. Some days went by as friends and family members searched through the wooded areas and drove around the neighborhood in the hopes that Jackson was still alive.

After a week, some boaters found a body in Prairie Creek while authorities responded to the scene. Upon initial inspection, the victim’s body was beyond recognition due to being exposed to elements in the water. As a result, the Charlotte County medical examiner had to use dental records to confirm the body belonged to Jackson. However, most of the evidence had been washed up, which also created difficulty in establishing the exact cause of death.

In 2021, an anonymous individual donated a $103,000 cash reward to anyone who provided information that would lead to an arrest. To date, the case remains cold.

“This didn’t just happen to Gage randomly. Someone needs to be held accountable for their actions in Gage’s death. People within his inner circle have more information than they’ve been sharing with law enforcement up to this point. Information that certain individuals in this community have is absolutely critical and pivotal in making sure that we finally get justice for Gage,” said Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers spokesperson Trish Routte, reported Court TV.

Anyone with information regarding Jackson’s death should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). You can also contact Crime Stoppers for an additional reward of $3,000 for arrest only.

Hephzibah Police Department and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2400 Block of Carroll Drive after receiving a 911 call about a shooting at the residence.

Upon their arrival, officers found 37-year-old Eric Council and another adult female suffering from gunshot wounds. Immediately, first responders rushed the victims to a nearby hospital, but Council succumbed to his injuries. The female victim remains unidentified.

38-year-old Constance Jenkins was arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime

Authorities are still awaiting the autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office amidst several other homicides within the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). So far, there have been over 170 murders over the past two years in the CSRA due to violent crimes, according to 12 26 On Your Side.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear.

A Honolulu judge sentenced Kawika Kanakanui to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 33-year-old Bryson Okada. Kanakanui was found guilty by an Oahu jury of second-degree murder and other firearm offenses.

On May 18, 2022, around 10 p.m., the 27-year-old defendant got into a heated argument with a third party at an illegal game room, 24/7, in a row of businesses located behind the Convention Center on Kapiolani Boulevard. Soon, the duo went outside the game room, where a fight ensued. At some point, Okada and the third party returned to the game room, and they were also warned of Kanakanui’s return.

According to Star Advertiser, witnesses testified the defendant started another round of argument with Okada when he pulled out a handgun and fired at the victim. The first couple of shots missed the victim, but the following shot struck the Okada in the head.

During the sentencing hearing, Kanakanui was remorseful and apologized for his actions.

"I've taken a lot of time to think about what I did. The most part I’m sorry about is that he can’t be here with us today," said Kanakanui reported Island News. 

The defendant will be eligible for parole after spending 20 years in prison.

On March 2, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department responded to a home on the 600 Block of Southwest 30th Terrace after receiving a 911 call from a family member. There, they found the octogenarian couple with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.  According to Local10.com, authorities discovered the couple’s red Ford Fusion had been stolen from their driveway. However, two weeks after the double homicide, investigators received a tip from a man who told them the car seen on the news was parked at 600 W. Oakland Park Blvd.

Upon further investigation, authorities discovered Hill’s boyfriend, Maurice Newson, 30, had sold the vehicle to a tow company for $200 the same day of the murder. As a result, Newson was arrested and charged with the murder of the Melvins.

Initially, investigators had interviewed Hill about her relationship with Newson and if she had any connection to the murder. The defendant denied the accusations and voluntarily submitted to a polygraph test, which she failed. Investors believed she was being untruthful and provided conflicting stories. Hill told investigators she and her mother were beneficiaries of her grandparents’ home and later claimed she was not an heir.

“My parents was real nice to Maurice. He let Maurice come in the house and he fed him, and I just can’t understand how the grim reaper – that’s what he was – come in and murder my parents. I think there’s a little something going on that’s going to come to the light. It’s just a matter of time. And when it does, you’re going to burn in hell. If my sister has something to do with it, I want her to be charged with it also,” said the victims’ son, Dennis Parker, reported NBC South Florida.

The defendant remained a person of interest until investigators had enough evidence that showed Hill worked with Newson to kill her grandparents.  

The Melvins were married for 61 years.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Rafael Vazquez handed Norteno street gang member, Mario Rodriguez, a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Michael Ramos, 33, and Amanda Ferrell, 30. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and discharging a firearm causing death.

On Aug. 31, 2021, the defendant and other members of his gang were in a neighborhood the group thought was a rival gang’s territory . According to The Mercury News, while looking for members of the Sureno criminal street gang, Rodriguez spotted the couple on E. Bernal Drive in Salinas and shot them to death. During the investigation, authorities established the victims had no gang affiliation and the defendant was placed in custody.

Recently, while the defendant was in jail, Rodriguez was reported to have punched and kicked deputies multiple times as they attempted to enforce the prohibition of tattoo equipment.

"One inmate was tattooing another inmate. And, you know, the deputies needed to get the tattooing instrument," said Monterey County Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkeley Brannon, reported Kion News Channel.

As a result, the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

Rodriguez will be eligible for parole after serving 50 years in prison.

“We get a DNA hit, we finally had a name of the person who was responsible for this. It was incredible, and that’s what led us to the ultimate conviction,” said Charles County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Elliott, according to NBC Washington.

On Aug. 27, 1979, Belk, who was a management analyst for the Department of Agriculture, was returning home from work when she was abducted near the Stadium-Armory Metro Station in Washington D.C. Her body was found two days later by a teenager near Metropolitan Church Road off Route 227, in Charles County, 25 miles from her home in Suitland Maryland. The victim had been raped and shot in the head.

At the time, authorities retrieved some of her hair samples, nail clippings, bra, clothes, pantyhose, and brown shoes from the crime scene and preserved them in a storage unit. Though there was no DNA technology at the time, authorities later tested her dress forty years later and found a partial semen profile.

In 2022, authorities submitted the DNA profile from the dress. They entered it into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) when they identified Taylor, who had gone on to have a long criminal history. As a result, the defendant’s DNA was logged into CODIS, which resulted in the breakthrough.

At the time of Taylor’s arrest, the 62-year-old defendant was in a nursing facility with complications from medical ailments. Later, investigators discovered through Taylor's arrest record that he had lived at his aunt’s house just four miles from where Belk’s body was found.

During the interrogation, Taylor admitted raping Belk but denied having anything to do with her murder.

The judge disagreed!

“I just thank God for allowing us to be alive to bear witness to this momentous occasion. Our community is a little bit safer today with this person behind bars,” said 51-year-old Lamont Belk, who is a lawyer for the Tennessee Valley Authority and former federal prosecutor in Georgia, reported  The Washington Post.

Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Ellen Brostrom handed Joel Blake, 25, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Dominic Carter. Blake was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony bail jumping.

In the afternoon of September 2021, police officers responded to a Domino Pizza restaurant near Silver Spring and Lovers Lane after reports of a shooting. There, officers found Carter with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite their attempt to save his life, the victim succumbed to his wounds.

Witnesses told investigators they had seen a Black Acura circling the parking lot of the premises where Carter’s barbershop was located throughout the day, according to FOX6. Hence, the witnesses assumed the restaurant was about to get robbed and focused on the car's temporary tags. After investigators had been provided with the information, it was later determined that the tags were registered to a vehicle belonging to Blake, a "Wild 100s" street gang member. Authorities later found the same Black Acura burning after reports of a vehicle fire near 107th and Mill.

Furthermore, investigators retrieved video footage from the restaurant that showed Blake following the victim into the restaurant and shooting Carter multiple times.  Also, the defendant had posted a video on social media admitting to the killing after he claimed there had been an attempt on his life for killing the 35-year-old beloved barber. During the trial, prosecutors presented Blake’s phone records that placed the defendant at the restaurant when the fatal incident occurred and also where the Acura was found burning.

Carter’s family described the victim as a pleasant individual who spent his life mentoring youths and giving them an alternative career option to be entrepreneurs and learn skills in cosmetology.

“Not everybody is meant to go to college, so he wanted to give kids another alternative. You can be a barber, you can open your own business and stuff like that,” said Carter’s mother Cecelia Jordan, reported Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Carter is survived by his mother and eight children.

“Officers from many different agencies including the Lawrence Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Haverhill Police Department, and Methuen Police Department have spent numerous hours trying to confirm or dispel the defendant’s alibi. This false information that he provided to the investigators did mislead the investigators,” said Essex County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Fleet, according to Boston 25 News.

On Wednesday, Montero will be arraigned on a murder charge for the death of Carol Flaz-Burgos. The victim was found dead on Sept. 3 by a specialized K-9 unit in the Kenoza Lake conservation area of Haverhill after the 37-year-old mother of two went missing days before.

Flaz-Burgos was declared missing on Aug. 31 after the police received a 911 call from a concerned individual who had called Flaz-Burgos several times and received her voicemail instead. Upon authorities' arrival at the victim’s residence, her wallet, keys, and purse were found on her dresser, but Flaz-Burgos was nowhere to be found.

Initially, Montero was charged with witness intimidation and misleading an investigation after the defendant told investigators in two separate interviews he didn’t know the whereabouts of Flaz-Burgos and was not anywhere near the victim when she disappeared.

"At this time, we have a suspect in custody on a charge of witness intimidation and misleading an investigation. When the medical examiner’s office completes their autopsy, which may occur in the next 24 to 48 hours, we expect that charge will be upgraded to murder," said  Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, according to NBC Boston.

Montero had told investigators he had driven to a barbershop on Trenton Street; instead, phone data revealed the defendant was in Havervill at that time. Also, authorities retrieved video footage showing Flaz-Burgos going to Montero’s apartment in the same building where she lived with her children and making a sign of the cross before entering the defendant’s apartment. However, the victim was never seen leaving the apartment.

Later, using phone data records, investigators tracked Flaz-Burgos’s phone as it left the apartment building at the same time video footage showed Montero leaving the complex dragging a wagon filled with clothes. Both the defendant and the victim’s phone records moved in sync toward Havervill, where Flaz-Burgos was later found.

The case is still ongoing, and the motive for the killing remains unclear.

Recently, Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Steve Warren sentenced Shannon Nicole Daves to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Roger Michael Evans. Daves, who was initially tried, which led to a mistrial, was found guilty at the second trial by a jury of first-degree murder.

“I thank the family of Michael Evans for their patience and support over these past three and a half years and two complete jury trials. I am relieved and gratified that their patience ended with accountability for Daves,” said Assistant District Attorney Kyle Sherard, according to Citizen Times.

On Dec. 23, 2020, officers responded to the couple’s home on Copper Mill Court in Candler and found Evans' body with a gunshot wound to the chest. According to prosecutors, the couple had returned from a night of drinking when a heated argument ensued. Later, authorities found video footage from a Furbo pet monitoring camera that showed the 50-year-old defendant pointing a gun at Evans and then fatally shooting him. An American Arms Guardian .32 ACP handgun was found at the scene.

An autopsy report showed he died from a gunshot wound to the chest, abdomen, and legs.

In a span of six years, the couple's relationship had been tumultuous, with the duo being found with guns. As a result, Daves’ defense team used an audio section of the video footage to claim the defendant’s action was due to self-defense. However, the camera never recorded any evidence of physical assault.

Family members testified Evans was attempting to leave the relationship.

In a rebuttal, prosecutors argued the defendant had a history of being controlling and manipulating. The jury agreed!

“I thank the jurors for their conscientious deliberations to reach this verdict in this senseless and tragic case and wish the Evans family peace and healing. If you are a victim of domestic violence please contact law enforcement and the Buncombe County Family Justice Center for immediate assistance,” said District Attorney Todd Williams, reported FOX Carolina.

“I can only imagine what Muna's mother is going through being halfway across the world, so I wanted them to know what would happen in court, what they could expect,” said Prosecutor Rebecca Marshall, according to Daily Mail.

Houston Police Department tracked down 51-year-old Bobby Singh Shah after receiving a tip from a woman who recognized the suspect from a Sugar Daddy website, a platform for connecting women with men who are willing to splurge for sexual favors.

On Aug. 24, an unknown male had called Pandey’s apartment manager to inform him of a body in the victim’s residence and then hung up abruptly. Upon arrival of the police, Pandey’s body was found with three gunshot wounds to her torso and one to the back of the head. During the investigation, authorities retrieved video footage from the apartment from a security camera purchased by the victim. Pandey’s friend told investigators the defendant had been stalking the international student before the fatal incident.

After authorities released the footage to the public, which showed Pandey arriving at her apartment with shopping bags and Shah forcing her into the residence at gunpoint, the victim’s former employer at a restaurant identified the defendant as a regular patron at his establishment and the perpetrator. In addition, another woman identified Shah from the Sugar Daddy website.  

Another neighbor heard a loud “loud thump” the day Pandey was last seen.

Two days later, during a traffic stop, Shah was immediately arrested and held without bond. At the time, the defendant was still wearing the blood-stained clothes he wore on the day of the incident, as seen in the video footage.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Pandey’s mother, Anita, who lives in Nepal, in obtaining a flight to Houston to say goodbye to her daughter. So far, over $37,000 has been raised.

"No mother should have to face such heartbreak, especially from so far away," stated the victim’s mother, reported People.

The defendant is also facing a charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon.

According to witnesses, Wiley had been standing in front of the convenience store when an individual approached him and asked for $1. The victim refused and proceeded inside the store. Upon his exit, the assailant followed Wiley to the store’s parking lot, where the victim was shot at close range multiple times before he fled the scene, reported Project: Cold Case.

An acquaintance who often rode the bus with Wiley found him and waited for the police and first responders to arrive. Wiley was rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his wounds.

Later, authorities found a witness who described a person of interest as a man wearing a red sweatshirt and ripped denim jeans. The information was released to the public with an opportunity to receive a reward, but authorities hit a dead end, and the case went cold.

Investigators claim the shooting stemmed from a robbery gone wrong, but family members believe it was an execution. 

The victim’s friends and family described him as a kind person who loved dogs.

If anyone has any information that would identify Wiley’s killer, please get in touch with the Memphis Police Department at 901-636-3300 or call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Plymouth County Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere sentenced Christine Ricci to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Firefighter Michael Ricci, 51. After two days of deliberation, a jury convicted Ricci of second-degree murder and one count of assault and battery.

"We were in utter shock and dismay. Our family did not expect to wake up that morning and have our loved one taken away from us so suddenly and in such a horrific way... Shame on you," said the victim’s brother, William Ricci, during a victim impact statement, according to NBC Boston.

On Jan. 28, 2021, around 5 pm, officers responded to the couple’s Marshfield home on Moraine Street after receiving a distress 911 call from their 16-year-old daughter. Upon arrival, first responders found the victim had been stabbed in the heart and at the back of his shoulder. Michael Ricci was rushed to South Shore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Despite attending therapy sessions to salvage their marriage, Ricci told investigators that her husband had been having manic episodes for three days before a heated argument ensued. Then, the defendant claimed she grabbed a five-inch knife to defend herself and stabbed her husband after he lunged at her.

However, prosecutors claimed there was no evidence to support Ricci’s claim. Instead, they argued the defendant had had a hard time getting over Michael Ricci’s extramarital affair in 2018. As a result, she intentionally assaulted her husband. In addition, Michael Ricci had ended up with a fat lip and bruises in the past, stemming from Ricci’s aggressive assault towards the victim.

In a rebuttal, Ricci’s defense lawyer, Joshua Wood, argued their client also suffered from a mental health issue, which led to the fatal incident.

"We have factual disputes about the context in which this occurred. There were mental health issues on both sides," said Wood, reported The Patriot Ledger. 

Michael Ricci served in the U.S. Army and worked as a Boston Firefighter for over two decades.

Freniere sentenced Ricci to an additional six years for the assault and battery charge. The defendant will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years in prison.

After a three-hour search for the suspect, 41-year-old Saul Bal was placed in custody by authorities, which led to several city blocks and streets closing.  

Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolidge and Officer Matthew Haney had responded to a break-in in the neighborhood along 16th and Brill streets. Upon arrival, they spotted Bal. As they approached him, the suspect fled the scene, and soon, a chase ensued.

During the chase, the suspect suddenly shot at both officers, striking Coolidge and injuring Haney after being hit in his ballistic vest as they fired back. Both men were rushed to the hospital, but Coolidge later succumbed to his wounds.

“Officer Coolidge was a husband, father, son, brother, friend, and a dedicated and beloved member of the Phoenix Police Department. He has been surrounded by loved ones and blanketed in the prayers of this community. Officer Coolidge’s legacy will forever be a part of this department,” said Interim Chief of Police Michael Sullivan, according to Dakota News Now.

The suspect was initially booked with two counts of attempted murder, one count of criminal trespassing, and one count related to weapons. Now, due to Coolidge’s demise, Bal’s charges are deemed for an upgrade to a murder charge.

Bal, who is a known entity to the Phoenix Police Department, had been arrested in May 2023 and recommended to be charged by prosecutors with felony drug charges and a misdemeanor trespass charge. Later, the suspect was released, and charges were dropped after Maricopa County prosecutors referred the case back to the police for a drug lab analysis, which was never carried out. The Phoenix Police Department believed that If Bal had been prosecuted, he would have been sentenced to several years in prison at the time.

However, Prosecutors pushed back, stating if Bal had been sentenced at the time, he would have been released already and would still be in a position to have perpetrated the killing of the officer.

The suspect has a record of 40 criminal charges within a seventeen-year span.

Bal denies shooting the officers.

"I know they're saying that I shot 'em — shot at 'em or something like that — but I didn't have a gun," Bal said, reported AZ Central.

The defendant is currently being held on a $2 million cash-only bond.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace,” stated the Uganda Athletics Federation on social media, according to AP.

The 33-year-old runner, who lived in Kenya, was admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. She was sedated for a couple of days but died of multiple organ failure after she suffered burns over 75% of her body. On Sunday, witnesses heard the athlete and her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, in a heated argument over a parcel of land belonging to Cheptegei. Later, Ndiema showed up at the victim’s residence with a can of gasoline he had bought and then doused Cheptegei before setting her on fire. As a result, Ndiema also suffered burns over 30% of his body. He is currently in the intensive care unit recovering from his wounds.

The victim’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, was in uproar and blamed his daughter’s death on the Kenyan government and police.

“I blame her death on negligence by the government because the authorities should have taken it seriously when we first reported that this man [Ndiema] had become problematic and he was fighting her. We reported to the police, to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, but they didn’t take any action to save her life,” said Joseph Cheptegei, reported CNN.

Family members and the Uganda Athletics Federation are calling for justice.

Over the years, Kenya has struggled to eradicate gender-based violence against women who are vulnerable and being denied equality, dignity, and rights. In 2021, Agnes Tirop, 25, a Kenyan marathon athlete, was stabbed to death at her residence. Authorities arrested and charged her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, for the brutal murder. The case remains open. A year later, Damaris Muthee, 28, a Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete, was found dead, and an autopsy report showed she had been strangled.

Amnesty International Kenya and other non-governmental organizations are calling for an urgent need to address the rate of femicide in the country.

Cheptegei placed 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics.

On Thursday, Colin Gray, 54, was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The 54-year-old’s son, Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School, had shot two students and two teachers to death, in addition to nine others injured, including eight students and one teacher.

"We call them heroes. We love our teachers and what they do and we're very happy they stood in the gap between evil to protect their children and we want to include them who saved the lives that were saved yesterday," said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, according to FOX 5. 

The charges stemmed from Gray, who told investigators he purchased the AR15 Rifle used during the fatal incident as a Christmas present for his son despite being alerted by the FBI last week. Last year, an anonymous tip about an online threat of a school shooting caught the attention of authorities who interviewed Gray and his son. At the time, the defendant told FBI agents Colt Gray did not have any access to the guns in the home unsupervised. Furthermore, authorities could not make an arrest since there was no probable cause.

“His charges are directly connected with the actions of his son and allowing him to possess a weapon,” said Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Chris Hosey reported The Guardian.

On Wednesday morning, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to Apalachee High School in Winder after reports of a shooting on the school campus. Some students saw the suspect leave their algebra class a few minutes earlier and then return with an AR Platform Rifle. After an unsuccessful attempt to regain entry back into his classroom, the 14-year-old went into the next class and opened fire.

Colt Gray has been charged as an adult and charged with four counts of felony murder. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

About 10,20 am, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to Apalachee High School in Winder after reports of a shooting on campus. The shooter was soon identified as Colt Gray. Some students saw the suspect leave their algebra class a few minutes earlier, then he returned with an AR Platform Rifle and knocked for the door to be opened. A student who approached the door saw the gun and refused to open the door. Instead, Gray went into the next class and opened fire.

“My teacher goes and opens the door to see what's going on. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because there's an active shooter," said a 17-year-old high school senior, Sergio Caldera, who witnessed the gunshots, according to ABC.

Before the police arrived, two resource officers assigned to the school located the suspect, who surrendered and was taken into custody immediately without resistance.

The victims were identified as Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, as well as instructors Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. Eight other students and one teacher were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals, and survived the ordeal.

“My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community. But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clear and known. Love will prevail over what happened today,” said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, according to AP.

 Later, authorities discovered the FBI had interviewed Gray in May 2023 after receiving tips about online threats of a school shooting. At the time, authorities also interviewed the suspect’s father, who assured investigators that Gray did not have unsupervised access to his guns.  Despite the tip, authorities could not make an arrest at the time since there was no probable cause. All they did was to alert the neighboring schools and monitor the teen.

Currently, investigators are still seeking answers on how the suspect got the murder weapon into the school unnoticed.  Prosecutors plan to charge the teenager with multiple counts of murder in the adult court system.

Winder is a suburb about 45 minutes from Atlanta.

The San Francisco Police Department identified the suspect as a 17-year-old boy from Tracy. The charges will be filed in juvenile court temporarily, with the intention of prosecutors charging the minor in adult court later. However, under California law, a judge has to review the case and determine if the minor should be tried as an adult.

“And so I have attempted to make it clear that there will be accountability when people commit crimes, most certainly serious crimes of this nature. Regardless of the status of the victim, my office’s job is to ensure that we have appropriate consequences, and I do want it to spread far and wide, that will be the case when something happens in San Francisco,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, according to KQED.

Personal discharge of a firearm and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm charges were also filed, which carries lengthy sentences if the defendant is convicted.

On Aug. 31, around 3:30 pm, Pearsall, who had been at an autograph signing event at the Union Square vicinity, was accosted by the teen as he walked to his car near the corner of Geary Street and Grant Avenue. Then, in an attempt to rob the victim at gunpoint of his Rolex wristwatch, a tussle for the weapon ensued between the duo that led to the teen and Pearsall being shot.

The 49ers wide receiver was hit in the chest with the bullet exiting his back and missing his vital organs. Both Pearsall and the suspect were rushed to the San Francisco General Hospital.

“This really makes you stop and reflect about how precious life is. He just wants to express, and the team wants to express, our gratitude to a variety of people: Number one, the San Francisco Police Department. They were incredible in their response, they were incredible at the hospital,” said the 49ers General Manager John Lynch, reported NBC News.

Pearsall was the 49ers team’s 2024 first-round draft pick and will miss the first couple of games for the season as he recovers.

Recently, authorities using DNA advance technology identified Deck Brewer Jr., 78, and charged him with her murder.

“The probability of selecting an unrelated person at random who could be the contributor of the partial major component in this DNA profile is approximately 1 in 550.5 quintillion. One quintillion is followed by 18 zeros,” stated the report analysis after a DNA sample was obtained from Brewer, according to NBC.

Witnesses told the Austin Police Department that Wolfe had been walking to a friend’s house around 10 o’clock at night when she was accosted by a driver of a 1970 Dodge Polara. Soon, the suspect placed the victim in a bear hug, placing a coat over her head before forcing her into the vehicle. Witnesses also claimed there was a passenger in the vehicle. The next day, investigators found her body. Autopsy reports showed the victim had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and shot to death.

Investigators followed up with several leads, which generated over forty persons of interest and led to the interview of six suspects. However, the investigation hit a brick wall, and the case went cold over the years.

Forty-three years later, the APD cold case unit revisited the case and resubmitted DNA evidence from the crime scene into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of convicted offenders. Brewer’s DNA was a match!

During an interview with the defendant, who was already in custody of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections on unrelated charges, he told investigators he had been in Austin, Texas, at the time of the murder.

“It’s possible investigators didn’t have enough of the DNA sample originally; until recently, with improvements in DNA technology, a considerable amount of DNA was required to be uploaded to the system to be compared,” said Michael Arntfield of Western University in Ontario, Canada, reported CNN.

Authorities are still trying to identify the passenger of the vehicle and asking anyone with information related to the case to reach out to its cold case unit at 512-974-5250.

Wolfe’s parents and college roommate have since passed away.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan handed Kristel Candelario, 32, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the emaciating death of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn. Candelario pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering a minor.

"Just as you didn't let Jailyn out of her confinement until she died, so too you should spend the rest of your life in a cell without freedom. The only difference is that prison will at least feed you," said Sheehan, according to ABC 7.

On June 16, 2023, Candelario, who had just returned home after a ten-day vacation at a beach in Puerto Rico with a male friend, called 911. Officers responded to the distress call after reports of an unresponsive toddler. Upon arrival, first responders immediately determined the child was deceased. Despite efforts by the defendant to change Jailyn’s clothes, authorities discovered the child had been lying on a mattress covered in urine and feces.

Soon, authorities discovered the toddler was emaciated with sunken eyes and found fecal matter in her mouth and fingernails. An autopsy report by the medical examiner showed that Jailyn died due to excessive dehydration and malnutrition as a consequence of pediatric negligence.

Later, investigators retrieved a Ring doorbell camera video footage from the neighbor, which captured the toddler’s cry for more than two days before she went silent and nobody to help.

The defendant’s family asked the judge for leniency, claiming Candelario has a history of mental issues and their daughter had stopped taking her medications.

"There’s so much pain that I have in regards to the loss of my baby, and every day I ask forgiveness from God and from my daughter, Jailyn. I’m extremely hurt about everything that happened. I am not trying to justify my actions, but nobody knew how much I was suffering and what I was going through, said Candelario to the judge, reported USA Today.  

The judge disagreed!

Finally, Marin County authorities identified Michael Eugene Mullen, 75, as the perpetrator.

“Do not have any indication that Mullen and Fischer knew each other. Mullen, who lived in the Sonoma area at the time of the attack had various manual labor jobs, but it is unclear if he used this as a cover to be in the area,” said Marin County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn, according to SFGATE.

The 31-year-old Swedish national at the time was found dead in her San Rafael home in California. Fisher’s husband, Gunner Fisher, who was also a Swedish national, had returned home from work when he found his wife’s body, with hands tied and her mouth gagged. Their 2-year-old daughter was unharmed in another room.  

Later, an autopsy report confirmed the victim had been shot three times after she was sexually assaulted. At the time, the couple had planned to return to Sweden and had commissioned the services of a moving company and a home assessor on the day of the incident. Though authorities questioned witnesses, they exhausted all leads, with no suspect of persons of interest. As a result, the case became cold.  

38 years later, and with the breakthrough of advanced technology, the Marin County Sheriff's Department sent DNA material from the crime scene to California’s Department of Justice's Familial Search Program, reported ABC. The program is designed to search for a match in the state’s DNA database and compare it with family members who had voluntarily submitted their DNA in depositories across the country. They found a match with a relative, hence leading to the arrest of Mullen.

The defendant, who now resides in Idaho, is being held at Lemhi County jail as he awaits extradition to California to await trial.

A Tulsa District Court judge sentenced Jose Gomez-Baca, 32, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his wife, Elizabeth Rodriguez. Gomez-Baca pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after he was extradited from Mexico.

“After having to endure six long years of wondering where their daughter’s murderer was hiding, we hope this result will bring some closure to Elizabeth’s family,” said Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney John Tjeerdsma, according to 2 News Oklahoma.

On June 22, 2017, Tulsa Police Department responded to a car near 2nd and Memorial after reports of a deadly shooting outside a home. Rodriguez's mother and brother, who were in the car when the fatal incident happened, told authorities the defendant ambushed them upon their arrival at the house. Soon, they told investigators, Gomez-Baca stepped out of hiding and shot his wife twelve times at point-blank range while she sat in the car before he fled the scene in a gray 2004 Dodge Ram.  Rodriguez died in the arms of her mother while the couple’s children were inside the house.

According to prosecutors, a day before the fatal incident, the defendant had called the police to report his wife missing, but they later determined she left their home voluntarily due to domestic disputes. Despite efforts by the police to apprehend Gomez-Baca, he managed to evade authorities for six years until U.S. Marshalls, with the help of Mexican authorities, nabbed the defendant while getting off work in a machine shop in Tecomán, Colima.

During the sentencing hearing, Gomez-Baca apologized to his wife’s family.

"Their mother is gone, and their dad is gone. They will never see either one of them again. I love them both with all my heart, and I can’t believe their father would do this to my sister — his wife — and not even think about his kids," said the victim’s brother, Gilberto Rodriguez, reported FOX News.

The judge described the murder as an ultimate act of selfishness.

A Dorchester County Circuit Court Judge William Jones handed Tramelle Lamar Williams Jr., two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Taijay Daniels, 24, and Lory Fields, 69. Williams was found guilty and convicted in two separate trials of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault in the first-degree and assault in the second-degree, armed robbery, robbery, and several other felony charges.

“While the senseless killings ... cannot be undone, it is the State’s hope that these verdicts will give the families and loved ones of the victims a small sense of peace moving forward,” said Dorchester County State’s Attorney Amanda Leonard, according to The Democrat Star.

Around 7:14 pm on Dec. 8, 2022, officers responded to the area of Race and Pleasant Street, where they found the body of Daniels with multiple gunshots. Then, authorities retrieved a video from a nearby apartment complex that showed the 23-year-old defendant approaching Daniel with a gun. The victim dropped his phone as William extended his hands before shooting Daniels in the back. Then, he shot him two more times in the head before robbing him and fleeing from the scene.

Three hours into the investigation surrounding Daniel’s homicide, and while still at the crime scene, officers received reports of another homicide along High Street. Upon arrival, they found Fields’ body lying in his front yard. Investigators later determined both crime scenes were related after they discovered Williams had shot the second victim in the head and stole the keys to his Chrysler 300.

The next day, Williams was arrested after being shot in the leg during a foot chase. Officers found a handgun in his possession, which was later determined to have been used at both homicides, including the cell phone belonging to Daniels and Fields’ car keys.

The trials for the two homicides were prosecuted separately after Williams's defense lawyer filed a motion to avoid undue prejudice if only one jury heard all evidence related to both homicides.

Williams apologized to the victims’ families while still claiming his innocence and argued he would be a beneficiary of a psychiatric hospital, reported Dorchester Star.

An Elbert County Superior Court judge sentenced Andrew Nicholas Berry, 35, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Destiny Autumn Huff, 21. Though Berry was initially indicted for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault,  three counts of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree, and aggravated assault, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and cruelty to children reported WSGC Radio..

During the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2023, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Bowman Highway after receiving a 911 distress call. Upon arrival, they found Huff unresponsive with multiple stab wounds. As a result, she bled to death despite the efforts of first responders to save her life. Soon, a Be-On-The-Lookout (BOLO) was issued for the defendant, who was arrested six hours later.

According to 921WLHR, the fatal incident stemmed from a domestic dispute between the couple before Berry stabbed the victim in the neck and several more times in front of their two and four-year-old children. In addition, a witness testified seeing the defendant standing over Huff’s body before he fled the scene.

Initially, the defendant claimed the victim had attacked him with a knife, but later recanted before accepting a plea and avoiding going to trial.

Berry was sentenced to an additional 20 years for the cruelty charges to children and will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon handed Somorie Moses, 47, a.k.a Sugar Bear, ten concurrent life sentences for the beating death of Leondra Foster, 32, and the sex trafficking of eight other women. Moses, who was a pimp and operated in Brooklyn and Queens, admitted to the killing and pleaded guilty to one count of murder and ten counts of sex trafficking.

“The life sentence imposed today on Somorie Moses is significant because it reflects the brutality and utter depravity of his crimes against vulnerable women and girls, which were committed over nearly two decades. The defendant forced his victims into prostitution through violence and beatings, and then murdered and dismembered Leondra Foster.  A lengthy prison sentence cannot undo the extreme and lasting harm Moses has inflicted on his victims, but incarceration will prevent this killer who clearly has no respect for human life from victimizing others.  It is my hope that today’s sentence brings some closure to the victims and their families,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Jan. 13, 2017, Moses brutally beat Foster, who was one of his sex trafficking victims, delivering blunt forced trauma all over her body until he fractured her skull. According to prosecutors, minutes later, the victim went into a seizure and died. As a result, the defendant dismembered Foster with a saw and a knife and hid her body in the apartment the duo shared.

Four days later, Moses disposed of Foster’s torso and limbs at a Bronx garbage disposal station. Later, authorities found the victim’s concealed head, hands, and feet, which had “Somorie” tattooed on it in a freezer during a search of the residence.

During the investigation, authorities interviewed several of Moses’ victims, who described his brutal abuse over the years. One victim told investigators that the defendant had brutally beaten her before he bit off a piece of her buttocks and spat it at her. Another victim who refused to work as a prostitute told investigators Moses had put a shotgun in her mouth and threatened to kill her and her child if she did not comply with his demands. A third victim described how the defendant cut her arms and back with a razor blade before beating her with a belt and then pouring lemon juice on her wounds.

Moses was previously convicted of negligent homicide and concealment of a corpse by the state court in 2019, reported the New York Post. As a result, he was served four to eight years and was on the cusp of being released when he was charged and arrested for murder by the feds.

Birmingham Crown Court Judge Paul Farrer KC handed Remi Gordon and Kami Carpenter a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of former Birmingham City academy player Cody Fisher, 23. After a ten-week trial, Gordon and Carpenter were found guilty and convicted of murder.

"In short, this was a sustained attack on a man who was significantly outnumbered and stood little or no chance of defending himself. The attack ended when Kami Carpenter stabbed Cody Fisher in the chest," said Farrer, according to BBC.

On Dec. 24, 2022, Fisher accidentally bumped into Gordon at another event at a Popworld venue in Solihull.  Minutes later, the defendant sent messages on Snapchat asking friends to identify the victim as he threatened to “shank him up.” Then, Gordon hatched a plan with his co-defendant Carpenter to shank the football player. A day after Christmas in 2022, officers responded to Crane nightclub in Digbeth, where Gordon and Carpenter assaulted and stabbed the victim.

According to prosecutors, the defendants, while masked, surrounded Fisher before Carpenter slapped his phone from his hand, followed by a headbutt. Soon, the duo threw multiple punches at Fisher, thereby fracturing his jaw on both sides, before Carpenter fatally stabbed the victim in the chest. Fisher died at the scene.

“I instilled in Cody from a young boy that he must stick up for himself and don’t let anyone bully him. I told him that sad, weak individuals do exist in our society and they ruin lives – how ironic and saddening that this is exactly what happened to Cody. He was only doing what his mum told him to do, and I think about this every day, but you never expect your child to be murdered,” said Fisher’s mother Tracey Fisher, reported The Telegraph.

Gordon will be eligible for parole after serving 26 years, while Carpenter will be eligible for early release after serving 25 years.

Currently, the attorney general’s office is considering appealing the sentence, which received a referral arguing that it was too lenient.   

Edinburgh High Court Judge Lord Arthurson sentenced Ian MacLeod, 66, and Dean MacLeod, 42, to life in prison for the brutal and sadistic killing of Derek Johnston, 37, and Desmond Rowlings, 66. The McLeods admitted to the killings and pleaded guilty to the murders.

"This is, on any view, one of the worst cases of murder to come before the high court," said the judge, according to SKY News.

On Nov. 1, 2022, police officers responded to the disappearance of Rowlings after his partner had called to wish him a happy birthday. Soon, authorities tracked him to Ian MacLeod's flat in Greendykes House, 14 Greendykes Road, in Edinburgh. Upon entry, they found Johnston’s body in the bath covered with a rug, while Rowlings was found in the living room covered with a blanket.

According to prosecutors, the crimes were committed between Oct.30 and Nov. 1, 2022, when both men had been invited in turn, with Johnston being the first, to the flat. Upon arrival, the defendants inflicted at least 28 separate injuries on Johnston’s body while they severed a part of his nose and one of his ears and forced a nail into his eye sockets. The next day, the father-son duo invited Rowlings, who was a neighbor, and inflicted 136 injuries on his body. His nose, upper lip, and ears were also severed in addition to using a blowtorch to burn “YT,” “VT,” and “YLT” on his body. Furthermore, a hammer was left embedded in Johnston’s head. Authorities established

During a search of the residence, investigators found two blood-stained machetes, two hammers, and a Stanley knife. After the fatal incidents, the MacLeods left a note in the hallway of the residence that stated what they had done was evil and sadistic. Then, they fled the scene with the intention of taking fatal doses of Methadone in a suicidal attempt but ended up in an infirmary where authorities found the victim’s body parts in a rucksack belonging to the MacLeods. 

“We were so proud of him – and although he was not without his own struggles in life, he battled on with inspirational resilience. Our hearts and minds are filled with pain, devastation, heartbreak and trauma where happiness, hopes and dreams once existed. Our faith in humanity is shattered. In our opinion – in the absence of capital punishment - there is no justifiable sentence that fits this cruel, calculated, callous and horrific crime. But today, we saw those monsters put behind bars for good," stated Johnston’s sister, Pamela Johnston, and his mother, Angela Couzens, in a statement, reported BBC.

Both defendants will be eligible for parole after serving 34 years behind bars.

A Malheur County District Judge Lung Hung sentenced Rene Castro to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Nyssa Reserve Police Corporal Joseph Johnson, 43. To avoid being convicted of first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, Castro pleaded guilty to aggravated murder.

“Anything I say, can’t bring JJ back. You did a horrible thing. You ended a man’s life,” said Hung during the sentencing hearing, according to Argus Observer.

On the morning of April 15, 2023, Johnson, who is a full-time mental health officer at the Snake River Correctional Institution, responded to a disturbance call when he was fatally shot while sitting in his patrol car. Soon, authorities identified the 37-year-old Castro as the suspect in the death of the victim. Two days later, the defendant was arrested and placed in custody after law enforcement officials surrounded his home, which was located near the crime scene.

“We’ve lost a really good man. His wife and his children are without their husband and father. But we’re never going to forget him, and we’ve dedicated this park to Joe,” said Nyssa's Mayor after the sentencing, reported Idahonews 6.

The park was dedicated to Johnson, and the Nyssa Police and Fire Departments recently played a game in his honor.

Castro was ordered to pay $103,559.79 in restitution and will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

Johnson worked with Nyssa Police Department for five years and was survived by his wife and two children. 

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow sentenced Jessy Kurczewski to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the death of Lynn Hernan, 61. After a three-week trial, Kurczewski was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony theft.

“You took away future memories, birthdays, luncheons, phone calls. I think you thought you were a very good thief and could get away with even more. I think you’re completely diabolical. You have evil in your heart,” said the judge during the sentencing hearing, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In 2018, the defendant, who was Hernan’s caretaker, was accused of killing the victim using eye drops. According to prosecutors, Kurczewski was only one of two individuals named in the victim’s will. However, authorities established that the defendant was greedy and stole nearly $300,000 from Hernan.

After Hernan’s death, autopsy results showed the cause of death was due to a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline.

During the trial, Kurczewski’s lawyer, Donna Kuchler, argued the victim had taken her own life and had full knowledge of the defendant spending her money.

"When somebody takes too many pills, the combination together can create exactly what happened here. Everyone at the scene concluded it was suicide. Ladies and gentlemen, it was a suicide. It looked like a suicide," said Kuchler during the closing arguments, reported TMJ4.

In addition, Kurczewski claimed Hernan had allegedly written a suicide note that indicated the victim’s desire to drink vicine to end her life. The defendant continued to maintain her innocence.

Dorow sentenced Kurczewski to five years for each of the felony theft convictions, and she was ordered to pay $386,000 in restitution. Kurczewski will serve them consecutively and be eligible for parole after 40 years.

Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Willard Pope handed Jennifer Hill, 44, a life term in prison for the shooting death of Michael Tron Hofacker, 39. A jury found Hill guilty of second-degree murder.

“Today’s sentence is a reminder of the irreversible consequences of mistaken identity. Hill’s life sentence reflects the impartiality of the law in a case where an individual’s life was cut short due to the carelessness of another,” said State Attorney William “Bill” Gladson, according to WCJB.

During the evening of Nov. 28, 2020, officers responded to the 3200 Block of S. Highway 314A, nearby south of Highway 40 and 9 miles east of Highway 35. Upon arrival, they found the victim’s body with a gunshot wound to the head.

Initially, Hill told investigators she had felt threatened by Hofacker, whom she thought had a gun, before shooting him in the head. However, the defendant’s friend, who was a witness to the incident, told investigators that Hill had mistaken Hofacker for another man named Michael, whom she believed had robbed her home a few days earlier. In addition, the witness told authorities Hofacker was not armed and did not pose a threat to Hill at the time of the fatal incident.

The defendant was arrested the next day.

“This incident underscores why people should not take matters into their own hands and trust law enforcement,” said Gladson, reported Click Orlando.com.

Providence County Superior Court Justice Kristin E. Rodgers handed Trequan Baker, 31, a life sentence for the shooting death of Qudus Kafo, 36. Baker was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder, discharging a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence resulting in death, possession of a firearm without a license, and conspiracy to carry a pistol without a license.

“Tragedies like this are unfortunately all too common and altogether avoidable. This defendant brought a gun to a fistfight, and as a result, many lives are now irrevocably changed for the worse. I hope this verdict provides some measure of peace for the victim’s family. And thank you to the Pawtucket Police for their consistent commitment to seeking justice for the victims of violent crime,” said Attorney General Neronha,” according to the State of Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.

During the early hours on Jan. 23, 2022, officers responded to the Fab City Cigar Lounge along 1438 Newport Ave after reports of an assault and shots fired. Upon arrival, they found Kafo with a single shot to the abdomen and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wound.

The victim had gotten into an altercation with one of Baker’s family members a few hours before the fatal incident. Some of the bar patrons had stepped in to calm the duo, and everything seemed to be back to normal for a while, reported NECN. However, a member of Blake’s family called the defendant, who came to the bar, followed by another argument between Baker and Kafo.

Another fight ensued between the victim and Baker’s family member outside the bar. Minutes later, Baker shot Kafo at point-blank range in the abdomen. Investigators used the Cranston police camera system to identify the defendant’s car. Another footage showed the defendant running to his car to retrieve a semi-automatic handgun as he loaded a round in the chamber just minutes before the shooting.

Two days later, Baker was arrested and placed into police custody.

Rodgers sentenced Baker to an additional 60 years to be served consecutively to the life sentence.

A Dorchester County Circuit Court Judge William Jones handed Tramelle Lamar Williams Jr., two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Taijay Daniels, 24, and Lory Fields, 69. Williams was found guilty and convicted in two separate trials of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault in the first-degree and assault in the second degree, armed robbery, robbery, and several other felony charges.

“While the senseless killings ... cannot be undone, it is the State’s hope that these verdicts will give the families and loved ones of the victims a small sense of peace moving forward,” said Dorchester County State’s Attorney Amanda Leonard, according to The Democrat Star.

Around 7:14 pm on Dec. 8, 2022, officers responded to the area of Race and Pleasant Street, where they found the body of Daniels with multiple gunshots. Then, authorities retrieved a video from a nearby apartment complex that showed the 23-year-old defendant approaching Daniel with a gun. The victim dropped his phone as William extended his hands before shooting Daniels in the back. Then, he shot him two more times in the head before robbing him and fleeing from the scene.

Three hours into the investigation surrounding Daniel’s homicide, and while still at the crime scene, officers received reports of another homicide along High Street. Upon arrival, they found Fields’ body lying in his front yard. Investigators later determined both crime scenes were related after they discovered Williams had shot the second victim in the head and stole the keys to his Chrysler 300.

The next day, Williams was arrested after being shot in the leg during a foot chase. Officers found a handgun in his possession, which was later determined to have been used at both homicides, including the cell phone belonging to Daniels and Fields’ car keys.

The trials for the two homicides were prosecuted separately after Williams's defense lawyer filed a motion to avoid undue prejudice if only one jury heard all evidence related to both homicides.

Williams apologized to the victims’ families while still claiming his innocence and argued he would be a beneficiary of a psychiatric hospital, reported Dorchester Star.

United States District Court Chief Judge Ronald A. White sentenced Amy Leann Hall, 43, to two life sentences in federal prison for the shooting death of her 18-year-old son, Kayson Toliver, and 16-year-old daughter, and injuring her 14-year-old daughter. To avoid the death penalty by the State of Oklahoma, Hall pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder.

“This crime was gut-wrenching and there is no question the sentencing is just.  It is absolutely heart breaking to think a mother could be capable of shooting her own children while they slept. The FBI is responsible for investigating the most serious crimes in Indian Country and along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue these cases.  We are committed to protecting all of the tribal communities we serve, helping victims, and ensuring that justice is met for violent offenders,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray, reported the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Nov. 1, 2018, officers responded to a family home off South 130 Street in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, where they spotted Hall fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Soon, a police chase ensued that exceeded 110 mph before the defendant was arrested and placed in custody.

According to prosecutors, in the early morning hours, Hall had walked into Toliver’s room and shot him in the head while he slept, killing him instantly. Then, she proceeded to the room where her 16-year-old and 14-year-old daughter were fast asleep and shot them both in the head. Though first responders rushed both girls to the hospital, the 16-year-old never regained consciousness and succumbed four days later. However, the 14-year-old survived the ordeal.

Later, Hall told investigators she wanted to save the children from their abusive father and had intended to kill herself. Just weeks before the fatal incident, the defendant had applied for an emergency temporal order for sole custody of the children. In addition, Hall’s estranged husband had told authorities in 2016 that the defendant was mentally unstable and psychologically abusive to the children, according to FOX News.

Hall was sentenced to an additional 20 years for the assault with intent to commit murder charge. She was ordered to serve her sentences concurrently. Hall will not be eligible for parole.

A Harris County judge handed Marcus Kenneth Cox-Davis, 24, a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 32-year-old Donna Peña. Though Cox-Davis was initially facing life in prison if convicted by a jury, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder instead. 

“This defendant had no regard for anyone else when he used a gun to rob and steal, and now the victim’s family will never again see this hardworking and beloved woman. This agreement ensures that the defendant will spend decades in prison with no appeals,” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

On March 8, 2019, officers responded to a Shell gas station on FM 1960 and Perry Road after reports of a shooting and a homicide. Soon, investigators collected evidence, which included the gas station’s surveillance that showed Cox-Davis shooting the victim while wearing a blue hoodie. Later, authorities found the hoodie at a housing subdivision behind the gas station, which resulted in investigators linking the defendant to the crime from the DNA sample on it.

At the time of the robbery, authorities believed Cox-Davis and his accomplice were part of a crew involved in a string of robberies.

In 2020, officers arrested the defendant during a routine traffic stop where he was arrested.

“He gave this woman about two seconds to open the cash register before he opened fire, killing her. It is just an awful case, and this was the right decision for the victim’s family who want to put this ordeal behind them so they can mourn in peace,” said Assistant District Attorney Chandler Raine, reported Houston Daily.

Cox-Davis will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years in prison.

“I don’t know anybody who didn’t like her. She was the glue,” said the victim’s sister, Tahir Blue, according to Project: Cold Case.

Before her demise, the 31-year-old AT&T phone operator had been struggling with her health. At the time, Junel had trouble walking and had been subjected to several hospital visits, where doctors could not explain what was wrong with her while family members took care of her at home.

Family members have long suspected foul play of someone close to Junel poisoning her. In addition, the Miami-Dade Police Department had turned over all leads without any charges filed or suspects identified. At the time of the homicide, Junel was married to Gregory Trotman, an airplane engineer. The couple shared two daughters in addition to the victim’s son, whom she had from an earlier relationship.

Investigators discovered there was no forced entry and questioned her husband, who was supposed to have dropped her at the Taylor family home that day but didn’t. However, he told authorities that when he left home that morning, Junel was alive, reported Newspaper.com. Hence, the case went cold and remained that way for over three decades.

Junel’s family described her as the pacemaker, nurturer, and mentor. 

If anyone has information that would blow this case wide open, please contact the Miami Police Department Homicide Unit at 305-603-6350. You can also remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 by submitting tips to CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

Circuit Court Judge Randi P. Mueller sentenced Robert John Oshinski, 39, to life in prison for the beating death of Ashley Barbara after Oshinki pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

“This is certainly one of the worst set of facts I have heard in my time on the bench. You will have a long time to sit in prison and think about what you have done and the damage you have done to your children, Mr. Oshinski, and the only good thing I can say is that you have accepted responsibility for your actions and spared your children from having to come into court and testify against you,” said Mueller during the sentencing hearing, according to WLOX.

On Jan. 9, 2022, Gulfport Police officers responded to Memorial Hospital after receiving a call about a woman who succumbed to her wounds hours after she was dropped off at the emergency unit by an unknown individual. Upon their arrival, the hospital personnel informed them Barbara had sustained injuries that showed she had been severely beaten. As a result, investigators discovered Oshinski had dropped her off at the hospital.

According to prosecutors, the defendant had violently beaten the victim with a conduit pipe and a wrench in front of his children in the family camper home in Long Beach. Later, an autopsy report revealed Barbara also had post-injuries of fractured a fractured jaw, spine, ribs, hands, and other lacerated organs.

During the victim impact statement, the couple’s oldest child testified to the trauma she has had to endure as she watched her father brutally beat her mother in front of her and her other two siblings.

“I replay that day over and over in my mind. I cannot unsee my father beating my mother to death right in front of me and my siblings,” said the 13-year-old, reported Yahoo News.

Oshinski had been released on a $10,000 bond from Hancock County jail a day before the fatal incident.

Washington County Judge Adam Michelini sentenced Kevin Monahan, 66, to 25 years in prison for the shooting death of Kaylin Gillis, 20. Within a few hours, Monahan was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and tampering.

“Any remorse you have isn’t for the harm you’ve caused. The only regret you have is that you’re finally facing the consequences for your actions. You murdered Kaylin Gillis. You shot at a car full of people and you didn’t care what would happen and you repeatedly lied about it. You deserve to spend the maximum time in prison allowable under our law, and I don’t make this decision because it’s easy. I make it because it’s what’s deserved. I make it because it’s what’s just,” said Michelini during the sentencing hearing, according to CNN.

On April 15, 2023, officers responded to a 911 distress call about 5 miles from the defendant’s home, a few miles from Albany, New York, about an unresponsive shooting victim. Upon their arrival, first responders attempted to revive Gillis, but she was declared dead at the scene. According to prosecutors, the victim and her friends in a convoy of two cars and a motorbike had gotten lost while looking for the location of a party.

Next, they mistakenly drove into Monahan’s driveway in the rural part of Hebron. Soon, they realized they were at the wrong address. As soon as they pulled away in her boyfriend’s Ford Explorer, Monahan exited his home with a 20-gauge shotgun and fired at them twice. The second shot fatally struck Gillis.

During the trial, the defendant testified that the shooting was accidental after he felt threatened and thought they were blocking his entrance. Furthermore, he told the jury the first shot had been a warning shot, while he accidentally tripped over a nail, causing the second shot to strike the victim.

The jury didn’t believe him!

“It’s obvious to me that you feel justified. You don’t take any responsibility for the outcome of your actions. You just don’t get it,” said the judge, reported Times Union.

Michelini sentenced Monahan to four consecutive years for the tampering with evidence charge, while he was ordered to serve seven years concurrently for the reckless endangerment charge.

Winchester Circuit Court Judge Brian M. Madden sentenced Demetrius Dominique Brown, 21, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Jaiden Isaiah Myers, 18. After two hours of deliberation, Brown, who is a member of the Los Angeles-based Rollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang, was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, robbery, participating in a robbery that ended in death, and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. However, Brown was initially evaluated and found competent to stand trial. Then, he requested a new attorney, claiming they were not in support of his motion to go to trial, before being denied, according to Patch.

On May 21, 2021, officers responded to the Orchardcrest Apartments complex on Wilson Boulevard in Winchester after reports of a shooting. According to prosecutors, the defendant, who had recently moved to Fredricksburg, planned to rob an acquaintance, Zevyn Dokes, 20, of marijuana back in Winchester. Hence, Brown asked his friends Tony G. "T.J." Peyton Jr., 21, and Jaeden D. Smithers, 21, for help with a ride. 

Upon arrival, Dokes, accompanied by Myers and another friend, met the group at the parking lot of a school, but Brown opted to meet in a more seclusive environment due to the amount of cash involved. Then, Dokes invited Brown back to his apartment, where the defendant pulled out a handgun and told everyone in the room not to move. However, as Dokes tried to grab the gun, Brown shot Myers in the head and Dokes in the hip before fleeing the scene.

During the sentencing hearing, Brown apologized to his family and the victim’s family, asking them to forgive him and that he was sorry and loved them all. In addition, his defense counsel argued Brown grew up in an unstable environment without stable parental guidance.

However, the judge didn’t buy it!

"If you hadn't brought a loaded gun to the apartment, we wouldn't be here today. It's a tragedy for you, that you're going to have to serve time, and especially for your victims and their families," said the judge, reported The Winchester Star.

Dokes, who survived the ordeal, testified against Brown in court and told the jury about the health complications that followed after his release from the hospital.

Smithers was charged with two counts of robbing a residence and sentenced to 20 years in prison with eighteen years suspended. On the other hand, Peyton was charged with first-degree murder and is currently awaiting trial. 

7th Judicial Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III handed a 40-year term in prison to Fredryonna Grimes, 21, for the shooting death of Jarius Cook, 21.  Grimes pleaded no contest to Principal to First-Degree Murder and Principal to Robbery with a Firearm.

On March 19, 2020, deputies responded to reports of a vehicle on fire near DeLand. At the scene, they found Cook’s body in the driver seat engulfed in flames. After the Volusia Fire Department put out the fire, an autopsy revealed the victim had been shot twice in the head and neck, according to the Office of the State Attorney.

Two months later, authorities caught a break after a witness who had been an occupant of Cook’s car came forward and told investigators he saw Grimes and two other co-defendants, Cameron Lane, 21, and Zachariah U. Sanders, 26, fatally shoot the victim before searching the trunk of his car. Authorities found his testimony credible in corroboration with information not shared with the public.

“They were friends, and Jarius trusted everybody... thought everybody was his friend,” said the victim’s aunt, Vicki Cook Heath, reported FOX 35.

At the time of the killing, both Grimes and Lane were juveniles being investigated under “Operation Young Guns.” An initiative involved with several law enforcement agencies that focuses on juveniles linked to gun violence .” In addition, both defendants were involved in an unrelated shooting in DeLand that led to both defendants being sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempted murder charges.

Lane was sentenced to 48 years for Cook’s killing, while Sander’s case remains open.

The judge ordered Grimes and Lane to serve their sentences concurrently with the sentences for the attempted murder charges.

Montgomery County Judge William Carpenter sentenced Ruth Dirienzo-Whitehead to life in prison for the strangulation death of 11-year-old Matthew Whitehead. After a bench trial, Dirienzo-Whitehead was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder and possessing an instrument of a crime.

On April 10, 2023, officers responded to the 500 Block of Privet Road after the boy's father discovered his lifeless body in their bedroom. Later, authorities discovered the 51-year-old Dirienzo-Whitehead had driven the family's Toyota Highlander into the ocean in New Jersey, but when the car became immobile, she walked to Wildwood Crest, where the couple owned a beach house, reported CBS News. There, the defendant was arrested and placed into custody.

During Dirienzo-Whitehead’s interview with investigators, she admitted to killing her son with his father’s belt in anger because she did not want her son to witness the financial challenges of the family. As a result, Dirienzo-Whitehead’s lawyer, Eugene Tinari, argued his client's behavior was due to a psychotic breakdown and a steady deterioration of mental illness.

“I believe it was strictly as a result of her being in psychosis and mental illness based on the reasons I said: the love of her child, her character. Revenge, in my opinion, makes absolutely no sense in this case, to take one’s child,” said Tinari, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

However, in a rebuttal, prosecutors argued the murder was pre-meditated after investigators found her internet search history about how to strangle somebody and cases of mental illness that caused women to kill their own children.

Prosecutors told the court that Dirienzo-Whitehead killed her own child out of anger and spite for her husband. The judge agreed!

Matthew was described by his school as an extraordinary child with a bright smile.

5th District Court Judge John Walton handed Ruby Franke four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison for the abuse of her children. Franke pleaded guilty to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse.

"This is a case about religious extremism. The defendants appear to have fully believed that the abuse they inflicted was necessary to teach the children how to properly repent for imagined 'sins' and to cast the evil spirits out of their bodies," said Washington State prosecutor Eric Clarke, according to CBS News.

On Aug. 31, 2023, authorities arrested Franke and her business partner and co-defendant, Jodi Hildebrandt, after Franke’s son escaped from their home to seek help from a neighbor. Upon the arrival of authorities, they found the boy emaciated with open sores after being bound with duct tape. Soon, authorities found another of the defendant’s daughters in the same situation as her brother.

While pleading guilty, Franke admitted to having held her son’s head under the water, kicked her son, and forced him to do forced labor while starving him.

Franke became prominent with her husband and six children on their now-defunct YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” which had over two million subscribers. Then, in 2022, the defendant started the ConneXions channel with Hildebrandt, a Mormon life coach, reaching out to those lost in the darkness of distortion.

During the sentencing hearing, Franke apologized to her children and blamed her woes on the influence of her co-defendant.

“For the past four years, I’ve chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion. My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me,” said Franke, reported NBC News.

Hildebrandt received the same sentence as the defendant and admitted to making Franke’s 9-year-old daughter jump into a cactus. However, Utah State law only allows a defendant to serve a maximum of 30 years in prison in cases of consecutive sentences.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge David Rees handed Nathaniel Curtis Freeman, 35, a.k.a. Portland rapper 'Nate Grapes,' two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Ny’Cole Griffin, 30, and Morgan “Max” Victor, 30. After a two-week trial, Freeman was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm, and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm, according to Multnomah District Attorney’s Office.

On April 26, 2022, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded to Southeast 9th Avenue and Southeast Ash Street after reports of a shooting. However, when they arrived on the scene, they learned Griffin had been rushed to Legacy Emanuel Hospital by friends, where he was pronounced dead.

Similarly, a month later, PPB responded to another shooting in a home in the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood along the 2800 block of Southeast Division Street. Upon arrival, authorities found Victor’s body with a gunshot wound in the apartment.

Freeman, who was previously convicted for a 2008 murder near the University of California Berkeley campus in California, was linked to both homicides.

"He was a great son, awesome brother, an amazing uncle and friend. He was a protector and a real super hero to me. He loved me beyond words; I felt and knew it every day, and I miss him, his goofiness and just awesome personality and huge tight hugs. This guy Nathaniel Freeman has killed prior and after killing my son and should have never been out of jail, in my opinion," said Griffin’s mother, Nikki Griffin-Ware, reported KGW8.

The defendant was ordered to serve both sentences consecutively.

Escambia County Circuit Judge Coleman Robinson sentenced Frank Wilson to 40 years in prison for the shooting death of Sonja Burch, 64. Wilson was found second guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder.

On March 22, 2022, officers responded to the home of the couple on Worley Road off Mystic Springs Road after reports of a fatal shooting. Upon their arrival, the defendant was found standing outside with some relatives and Burch’s body on the kitchen floor, reported Pensacola News Journal.

Later, Wilson admitted to the killing and blamed the incident on his high blood pressure medication and anger. According to prosecutors, Burch had asked Wilson for some money to go to the casino but told her he didn’t have any. Then, the victim told the defendant she had a new lover, which led to a heated argument. During the altercation, Wilson told investigators that Burch had launched at him with a butter knife. Hence, as the argument continued to escalate, he lost it before retrieving a .410 shotgun and fatally shot the victim in the living room. Then, Wilson placed the murder weapon back on his gun shelf and called a relative, who in turn contacted 911 to report the incident.

Despite Wilson’s self-defense claim, authorities never found any butterknife anywhere close to Burch’s body.

“Due to not locating the alleged butter knife, it is reasonable to believe that (the victim) was unarmed at the time she was shot by Frank Wilson,” stated investigators in the arrest report, according to NorthEscambia.com.

The jury agreed!

U.S. District Court Judge Marc Treadwell sentenced Lesley Chappell Green, aka “Grip,” 35, to life in federal prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Derrick Ruff and Joshua Jackson. Green was found guilty and convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organization (RICO) conspiracy.

“No sentence could ever ease the pain that Lesley Green inflicted on the families of the murder victims in this tragic case. The Gangster Disciples are a strategically violent organization whose members willingly committed these monstrous crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Prior to the double homicide in 2018, Walter Brown, who was a member of the Gangster Disciple with Green, was murdered. As a result, two other co-defendants, Philmon Deshawn Chambers, aka “Dolla Phil,” 35, and Andrea Paige Browner, aka “Drea,” 29, sought revenge and retaliation. Later, Browner met with another Athens resident, Rodriquez Rucker, whom the group believed was related to the individuals responsible for Brown’s murder. Then, she called Chambers, who followed Rucker to his home before shooting him to death.

Soon, Browner and Chambers fled the state, but the former was captured by authorities in Mt. Enterprise, Texas, and placed into custody. While Chambers was still on the run, he believed two of his gang members, Ruff and Jackson, were cooperating with authorities. Hence, he ordered Green, a high-ranking member of the gang and part of its enforcement unit, to lure both men to a storage unit under the false pretense of stealing some items to send to Chambers. Text messages and intercepted calls between the defendants and two other co-defendants were submitted to the jury during the trial, reported FOX 5.

On Dec. 19, 2019, upon their arrival, Green fatally shot both men and kept their bodies in the storage unit until authorities using cadaver sniffing dogs found the victims three months later.

Both Chambers and Browner were found guilty and convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organization (RICO) conspiracy, violent crime in aid of racketeering - murder, carry and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and causing the death of a person using a firearm.

They are scheduled for sentencing on March 20 and face minimum life sentences.

Oconto County Judge Jay Conley handed David Steinmetz, 29, two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Lori Steinmetz, 55, and Paul Brennan, 75. Steinmetz pleaded no contest to two counts of intentional homicide.

“You killed the two people that loved you the most. This case gives new meaning to the expression ‘senseless offenses.’ I realize in the ‘real world’ one life sentence without the possibility of extended supervision is enough as far as it will confine you for the rest of your life. But I’m making it consecutive simply to make the point that these are two, separate, distinct human beings; two, separate, distinct lives that you took; and I’m going to administer two, separate, and distinct penalties for what you did to them. It’s simply a horrible, horrible case,” said Conley during the sentencing hearing, according to Fox 11 News.

On Oct. 2, 2022, officers responded to a home in Little Suamico after receiving a distress call about two unresponsive individuals outside the residence. Upon arrival, they found the bodies of both victims with multiple gunshot wounds. According to prosecutors, a day before the fatal incident, 55-year-old Lori Steinmetz and 75-year-old Brennan had gone to rent a car to pick up the defendant, whose vehicle broke down in the southern part of the state.

After the couple returned home, Steinmetz, who told police he had been under the influence of meth daily and had not slept in five days, started hallucinating. He told authorities a voice told him he had to take a life or his life would be taken. After much thinking, while sitting in his car, the defendant decided to walk up to his mother and stepfather and shoot them to death. Later, he was arrested in the parking lot of Thompson’s Market, reported We Are Greenbay.com.

Steinmetz apologized to the court and claimed he didn’t know what he was doing. However, prosecutors argued the defendant was a known entity to authorities who had a tumulus relationship with Brennan and had a history of threatening his mother’s life.

The judge ordered Steinmetz to pay a restitution in the amount of $23,011.11.

Forrest County Circuit Court Judge Bob Helfrich handed Shameka Hall a 40-year sentence for the murder-for-hire plot to kill her ex-boyfriend’s lover Ariunna Myers. Hall was found guilty and convicted of attempted murder.

“The evidence clearly showed Ms. Hall orchestrated this murder-for-hire plot. She is going to have plenty of time behind bars to think about the poor decision she made. I am glad we were able to achieve justice for the victim in this case,” said 12th Circuit Court District Attorney Lin Carter, according to WDAM 7.

In November 2022, U.S. Probation and Parole officers informed the Hattiesburg Police Department that the defendant was in the process of hiring a hitman to assassinate Myers. Soon, authorities discovered several phone calls and text messages between Hall and the hitman within a span of three months before authorities found out about the plot.

Later, investigators discovered video footage that showed the defendant negotiating the hitman’s payment and making plans to be personally involved in the execution. In addition, they found fake social media accounts belonging to the defendant to track Myers’ movement, reported WHLT 12 News.

Before Hall could complete the plan, the defendant was arrested and placed in custody.  Authorities believe the motive for the plot was because of jealousy.

Helfrich ordered Hall to serve 25 years of the sentence with 15 years suspended while on supervised release.

Lake County Judge Booras sentenced Jason Karels to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the drowning death of his three children, who were between the ages of 5, 3, and 2. Karels. Karels had initially pleaded not guilty, then later pleaded guilty but mentally ill to three counts of first-degree murder.

“Our thoughts are first, with the family today. This has been a devastating case for the family and community,” said State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, according to People.

On June 13, 2022, officers responded to a Round Lake Beach home at 200 East Camden Lane after a distress call was made to the police department by the children’s mother, Debra Karels. She had gone to the home of her estranged husband to pick up the children, who had been spending time with their father. Upon gaining entrance into the house, Debra Karels found the lifeless body of all three children lying on a bed. An autopsy report showed the children died from drowning.

In addition, the defendant had left a note for her that stated, “If I can’t have them, neither can you.”

Soon, authorities spotted the 36-year-old Karels close to Jolliet, Illinois, where the defendant led police on a high-speed chase until he crashed his vehicle near Interstate 80. He was immediately apprehended and placed in custody after firefighters pulled him out of the wreckage. Bodycam videos of the officers at the scene showed Karels admitting to the murders.

During the sentencing hearing, Booras described the defendant as sickening" and despicable, reported ABC7.

A Breda judge sentenced Johan S. to life in prison for the shooting death of Robert Sengers after the defendant was convicted of murder. On Sep.8, 2004, authorities responded to a home in Esbeek, Brabant, after Sengers was shot several times in the garage.

Witnesses identified a man fleeing the scene on a scooter, but investigators could not identify the suspect. Later, they found the scooter with traces of gunshot residue and DNA on the handles of the vehicle.

At the time, there was no arrest despite the DNA evidence and testimony of his ex-girlfriend, whom S. gleefully told about a murder that took place with someone on a scooter in the same vicinity of the murder scene. As a result, the case became cold. 

 In addition, Sengers was a known criminal entity in the drug trade to authorities.

"It may seem like this is less serious, but Robert Sengers was also a human being. It may be true that he was active in the criminal drug environment, but that in no way justifies this murder," stated the court, reported NL Times.

However, in 2019, the Dutch Forensic Institute, using advanced DNA technology, identified the defendant as the killer and reopened the case. At the same time, S. was already convicted and serving an 18-year sentence for the murder of another ecstasy manufacturer, Mohamed Yaacoubi, in 2002.

The defense team argued the evidence produced by the prosecutors was not suitable. Hence, the case should be dismissed.

The judge disagreed!

A 226^th District Court Judge, Velia Meza, handed Jilson Avelar-Rodriguez a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Nicholas "Trey" Milanovich and Julia Wright. After less than two hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Avelar-Rodriguez guilty of two counts of capital murder.

“The lives of two young people were tragically cut short. Our office was determined to bring their killer to justice. We have now done so. May they now rest in peace, and may their families now reach a sense of closure on their painful and difficult loss,” said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales, according to The Bandera Review.

On Sept. 30, 2018, officers responded to the 8600 block of Fairhaven Street in San Antonio after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found 21-year-old Wright outside the apartment and Milanovich was still in his bed with gunshot wounds. Wright, who had regained consciousness after being shot, managed to escape to seek help but later died due to blood loss. Likewise, 23-year-old Milanovich also succumbed to his wound later.

According to prosecutors, Avelar-Rodriguez was later identified as a suspect after authorities were tipped off during the investigation.  Later, they found the defendant in custody at the federal immigration detention facility in Pearsall in an unrelated matter. In addition, investigators found ammunition similar to the ones at the crime scene at the home he shared with his girlfriend, Mellisa Cortez.

During interrogation, Avelar-Rodriguez admitted to the killing and told authorities he shot the couple due to pressure from his girlfriend. He claimed Cortez was a drug dealer and had issues with Milanovich. 

“The truth is I did fire. I fired at both of them. Then I opened the door, and I left. She made me and told me, ‘No, you’re going to do it because if not, it, well I’m going to have someone do something to you,’” said Avelar-Rodriguez in a video recording, reported KSAT 12.

However, Cortez testified during the trial that the defendant had returned home on the day of the incident to change his clothes while in possession of a lock box that contained a pill bottle labeled “Julia.”

The state never sought the death penalty despite being a capital murder case.

A Kent County Circuit Judge Paul Denenfeld sentenced Sakina Muhammad, 23, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 27-year-old Kwan Andre Winston Jr. After a three-day trial, Muhammad was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder and felony firearm.

"You deserve what you deserve. Karma has no expiration date. Nor does Karma discriminate. 674 days we've been living a with a hole in our hearts," said Winston's mother during the sentencing hearing, according to WZZM 13. 

Around 10 pm on March 13, 2022, officers responded to an apartment on Taft Avenue SW in Wyoming after receiving a distress call from Muhammad’s parents about an ongoing domestic dispute at the residence. Upon arrival, they found Winston at the bottom of the stairwell, slumped against a door with a gunshot wound to the head. Meanwhile, the defendant had fled the scene with her 11-month-old daughter.

The next day, Muhammad was arrested and placed in custody while she claimed the fatal incident was due to self-defense. However, according to prosecutors, witnesses living below the couple heard the victim begging for his life and asking Muhammad to allow him to leave. Instead, they heard the defendant tell Winston he was going to die. 

“‘No, bro, you’re dead,’” and “‘Yo bro, you’re gonna die,’” said Muhammad before the neighbors heard a single shot followed by silence, reported MLive.

During the trial, the defense team argued Muhammad had been defending herself after Winston choked her. On two occasions, the defense submitted court records that showed Winston pleaded no contest to attempted strangulation of the defendant in March 2020 and January 2022.

However, the jury disagreed!

Though the relationship was toxic and volatile, neighbors testified Muhammad had always been the aggressor.

Mohammad apologized to her daughter and told the court she disagreed with their findings.  The judge ordered her to serve an additional 24 months for the felony firearm conviction.

A U.S. Eastern District Court judge sentenced Jaquate Simpson, a.k.a. “Quay,” 39, and Landis Jackson, a.k.a. “Juve,” 39, Kalub Shipman, a.k.a. “Kato,” 36, and Nelson Evans, 33, to life in federal prison for the shooting death of Lillian Bond. Simpson and Jackson were found guilty and convicted by a jury of continuing criminal enterprise, murder while engaged in continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics conspiracy, murder while engaged in a drug-trafficking offense, distribution of cocaine, use of a firearm resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder for hire, and murder for hire. Meanwhile, both Shipman and Evans were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, and use of firearm charges resulting in death.

“The hardest thing is knowing that she did not deserve this and that they are not remorseful. I just pray for healing for our family,” said Bond’s niece, Precious Hill, according to Law and Crime.

On April 19, 2016, around 11:30 a.m., Bond exited her home in the Ingleside neighborhood of Virginia to take out the trash when a Lexus car driven by Shipman and Evans fired multiple shots that killed the 59-year-old beloved grandmother. Prior to the fatal incident, Simpson was owed $81,000 for a multi-kilogram delivery of cocaine by Bond’s nephew, Brandon Williams. Out of frustration and to retaliate, the defendant and Jackson hired Shipman and Evans, who were members of the Nine Trey gang in North Carolina, to carry out the murder-for-hire plot of any member of Williams’s family. Simpson agreed to pay Shipman $10,000 for the hit. In October 2020, all the defendants were arrested.

According to prosecutors, Simpson gave specific information that anyone who exited the home should be killed to send a message.

"We literally have a recording where the leader said the next person out of that residence needs to get killed, needs to get shot. Murder-for-hire will probably put you away for life," said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office Brian Dugan, reported 13 News Now.

Bond was a housekeeping supervisor at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter for two decades. Family members described her as a pillar in the community.

Newport Circuit Court Judge Bryant L. Sugg handed Adrian Salvatore Lewis, 51, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his wife Shanita Eure-Lewis. Within an hour of deliberation and despite the absence of a body, Lewis was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder, according to 13 News Now.

On July 17, 2022, Eure-Lewis was reported missing in the area of Gethsemane Baptist Church on Roanoke Avenue. According to prosecutors’ contention, Lewis shot Eure-Lewis to death in his pickup as the couple drove down Jefferson Avenue shortly after 9:35 a.m. on that faithful day. Next, the defendant took off the victim’s jewelry and pawned it off at a Chesapeake pawn shop.

During the trial, prosecutors showed Lewis had hired someone to clean blood from his truck. In addition, the defendant’s internet search indicated his desire to flee to Jamaica as he researched if the country had an extradition treaty with the United States. As a result, Lewis booked a flight to Jamaica the next day but was sighted at a Dulles Airport boarding gate by a Homeland Security Agent, where he was arrested. Authorities found his wife’s passport and credit cards in his luggage.

Friends and family also testified that Eure-Lewis had asked the defendant for a divorce a week earlier. As a result, Lewis believed his wife was cheating on him. Even though Lewis was involved in an extra-marital affair himself, he became angry and jealous. Then, he told a friend, “I can’t let her walk away from this.” 

Authorities still don’t know the whereabouts of the victim’s body. The murder case without a body was one in two dozen instances in the history of Virginia since the 1800s.

“What he did with her after that, only he knows. Where is Shanita? Where is her body?… Not knowing that is eating at everyone sitting behind me today,” said Newport News Prosecutor Travis White, reported The Virginia Pilot.

The judge ordered the defendant not to have contact with his children until they were 18 years old. After that, visitation will be prohibited without an invitation.

An Aurora judge sentenced Melissa Galea to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Troy Stephen Oakley, 38. Galea was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and arson.

Just after midnight on July 27, 2019, firefighters and first responders responded to a home on Edwards Street that was engulfed in fire. After firefighters extinguished the flames, they found a body in the residence burnt without recognition. Later, autopsy results showed the victim had been stabbed nine times, and authorities used dental records to identify the remains as Oakley, according to BNN.

Despite the insurmountable evidence submitted by prosecutors, including a witness who saw the 41-year-old defendant bending over Oakley while holding an eight-inch hunting knife, Galea told the court she would not accept the charges against her. In addition, she informed the court she would be appealing the conviction.

"What I am charged with and what has happened, I will not accept," she said. "But as a human being, I totally understand how everything is. I don't think Troy Oakley was a bad person, and I hope that his family gets the closure they need," said Galea during the sentencing hearing, reported Barrie.

However, Galea’s defense lawyer argued for leniency due to the defendant’s history of alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental health issues.

The jury disagreed!

Galea will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. She was sentenced to an additional six months for the arson charge. 

105th District Judge Jack Pulcher sentenced Alfredo Deleon, 40, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Kingsville Police Officer Sherman Benys. In order to avoid the death penalty, Deleon pleaded guilty to 12 counts of felonies, including capital murder, attempted capital murder, and assault on his own family.

"You tried stack sentence just to make sure that even if the law changes, even if there's some type of court, that says no more life without parole, the sentences are still stacked, he needs to spend the rest of his life in prison," said Kleberg County District Attorney John Hubert, reported 3 News.

On Nov. 1, 2021, the Kingsville Police Department responded to the 300 Block of South Wanda after reports of a domestic dispute. Upon their arrival, Deleon opened fire on the officers, striking Benys before running away from the scene. While other officers administered first aid to the victim, others chased the defendant along South 11th Street and Miller before placing him into custody.

Benys was immediately air-lifted to Corpus Christi Hospital, where he later succumbed to his wound.

Prosecutors agreed on a plea deal that would guarantee the defendant would never walk free again. Nevertheless, Deleone apologized to Benys’ family and told them, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to do it,” reported Kris 6 News.

Benys was a 19-year veteran of the Kingsville Police Department.

According to Global News, the 16-year-old teenager was last seen during the late hours of Nov. 29, 1972, as she walked along Oakdale Road and Finch Avenue West in Toronto. At the time, autopsy reports had shown the victim had suffered blunt force trauma to her head.

In 2022, investigators utilized Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), an advanced DNA technology that involves taking a suspect’s DNA and comparing it with family members who had voluntarily submitted their DNA in depositories across the country.  As a result, investigators created a DNA profile from well-preserved biological evidence found at the crime scene. The effort led to the identification of Bruce Charles Cantelon.

At the time of the murder, Cantelon was a 26-year-old repeat violent offender against women who lived in the same neighborhood. He was a known entity to authorities as an individual with mental health issues. However, investigators discovered Cantelon died by suicide 19 months after Leroux’s murder.

"The case has remained a focus of attention in family gatherings and beyond, and has brought experiences we would not wish on anyone. Unfortunately, this news came late, as many of our family members have recently passed. For over half a century, our family has wondered. Getting some answers will never change what happened, or bring her back," said Leroux’s family members in a statement, reported CBC Lite.

Busan District Court Judge Kim Tae-eob sentenced Jung Yoo-jung, 23, to life in prison for the stabbing death of an English teacher. Yoo-Jung pleaded guilty to premeditated murder, desecration, and abandonment of a corpse after confessing to the killing. The defendant claimed the fatal incident stemmed from her curiosity as a fanatic of true crime shows and books about being a murderer, according to People.

In May 2023, Yoo-Jung, who posed as a mother looking for an English teacher for her daughter, used an app to select the murder victim after she had interviewed over 50 applicants. Then, the defendant met the teacher at her home dressed in a school uniform, posing as a student. Upon entry, Yoo-Jung fatally stabbed the woman over 100 times before going to the supermarket to purchase bins and bleach. Then, the defendant dismembered the victim.

Authorities received a tip from a driver who was suspicious of the defendant’s behavior after she took a taxi to the woods along Nakdong River to dispose of some of the body parts. Soon, investigators brought in Yoo-Jung for questioning. She initially told investigators someone had killed the lady before she moved her body. However, authorities retrieved video footage from CCTV cameras that showed her approaching the home and returning to the scene several times.

In addition, Yoo-Jung was reported to have threatened her grandfather, and her online search included killing close relatives.

At the sentencing hearing, Yoo-Jung asked the court to grant her leniency due to her history of mental illness and hallucinations. The judge, who had turned down the prosecutor’s request for a death penalty, disagreed with her because the murder was carefully planned and carried out, reported BBC News.

During the sentencing, Tae-eob stated that the killing had spread fear in the South Korean communities where an individual can become a victim for no reason.

In addition, the judge ordered Yoo-Jung to wear a tracking device for 30 years.

Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Annette Hillman handed Randall Kilby, 38, two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the hatchet death of Jeffrey Taylor, 66, and Benjamin Taylor, 69. After six hours of deliberation, Kilby was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first and second-degree murder.

On March 20, 2021, officers responded to the 6000 block of Granite Drive in southwest Bend after reports of a violent assault. Upon their arrival, they found a gruesome crime scene with the bodies of the Taylor half-brothers.

Two months earlier, on Christmas Day in 2020, authorities responded to the same address after Daphne Banks, 42, was found unconscious in the garage with a head injury. At the time, Kilby, who had been in a romantic relationship with the victim, told investigators she had fallen and hit her head. However, medical experts told investigators the headwound was not consistent with a fall. Later, Banks succumbed to her injuries after she was taken off a life support machine. As a result, the defendant was arrested but was later released due to lack of evidence.

“We have never held back on filing homicide charges. ‘I’m confident that if we charged Mr. Kilby in January, he would have been found not guilty,” said Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, according to OPB.

During the trial, prosecutors witnessed testimonies, including the defendant's mother, Darlene Allen, who witnessed the fatal incident. Furthermore, prosecutors argued Kilby was a danger to the community who has had issues being a lawful resident with a string of 32 convictions.

On the other hand, Kilby’s defense lawyers argued for leniency due to the defendant’s disadvantaged upbringing and his repeated use of methamphetamine.

The judge disagreed!

“We face a review of the criminal history with no indication of rehabilitation, a showing of ongoing force of criminal conduct despite supervision, a repeated decline to engage in any treatment and a threat to public safety. The court is going to make a finding of life in prison without the possibility of parole,” said Hillman during the sentencing hearing, reported Blue Mountain Eagle.

There is no fixed date for the Bank’s trial, but her daughters, Rio and Laci Killian, who were present during Kilby’s sentencing hearing, await justice for their mother.  

On Feb. 5, 2001, during the wee hours, a shots-fired call came through the 911 dispatch regarding a shooting along 113th Avenue and Apache Street in Arizona. Upon arrival, they found the body of Benito Rodriguez, 20, on the ground. Though first responders attempted to save the victim’s life on the scene before rushing him to St. Joseph Hospital, he later succumbed to his wound.

During the investigation, witnesses told authorities the shooting stemmed from Rodriguez having been in an altercation with occupants of a red or maroon mini-van.  Since then, investigators have exhausted every lead, and the case went cold.

Desiree Rodriguez, now 20 years old, is currently seeking to add her father's information to the unsolved cases of a website called “Silent Witness.”

“Ever since I received the death certificate and police report, it seems so real. While growing up I would sometimes cry, but I did not know why I was crying. Today, I realize that I do not cry because I am sad or because I miss him, but because of the unknown,” stated Desiree Rodriguez, reported Project Cold Case.

If anyone has information that would blow this case wide open, please contact the Avondale Police Department tip line at 623-333-7003. You can also remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a reward by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Clayton County Superior Court Judge Jewel C. Scott sentenced Hannah Payne, 25, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 62-year-old Kenneth Herring. After two hours of deliberation, Payne was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of felony murder, one count each of malice murder, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment, and three counts of possession of a weapon during a crime.  

“Whatever the court gives her, which should be life without parole, she deserves more,” stated the victim’s brother, Keith Herring, according to WSB-TV2.

On May 7, 2019, Payne witnessed a hit-and-run after Herring, who had a red traffic light, ran through the intersection of Clark Howell Highway near I-285, which caused a minor crash with another road user. Witnesses told authorities that the victim got out of his truck, pacing around for a few minutes before raving his engine and driving away from the scene. Meanwhile, a state corrections officer who was trained as a medic had initially assessed Herring and suspected the victim was inebriated, having a medical emergency, and could be suffering from a diabetic shock.

Next, Payne called 911 and told the dispatch she needed to pursue Herring’s truck. Despite a multitude of warnings by the dispatch telling the defendant to desist from the car chase, Payne persisted until she aggressively cut off the victim. According to prosecutors, the defendant immediately started cursing and punching the victim through his window before fatally shooting him several times while seated in his driver’s seat.

On the other hand, Payne testified on the stand that she shot Herring in self-defense.

“I pulled it out and immediately started trying to just continue to push against the door with it — like push it away from him. He grabbed my hand with the gun in it. As he’s pulling it is when it — the trigger went off. After it went off, my entire body kind of fell backwards,” said Payne to the jury during the trial, reported Law & Crime.

After going through several witness statements and video footage of the incident, the jury didn’t buy it.

Payne will be eligible for parole after serving 43 years in prison. Furthermore, Scott sentenced the defendant to an additional 15 years for the false imprisonment and possession of firearm charges. She was ordered to serve both terms consecutively.

A Sedgwick County District Court judge handed Kyle Romey, 44, of Goddard, a life term in prison for the brutal death of his mother, Denyce Briet. Romey was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

On Oct. 6, 2021, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department responded to a trailer home along the 15300 Block of U.S. 54 after a request for a welfare check on the 67-year-old victim. Upon arrival and no response at the door, deputies made a forced entry into the residence. There, they found Briet’s body on the floor of the home with evidence of blunt-force trauma, according to 12 News.

Investigators soon received a tip from a caller after they responded to the 1000 Block of West Dayton. The caller reportedly identified the defendant as the plausible suspect responsible for the death of Briet. Later, deputies arrested Romey near Taft and Water in Wichita wearing clothes that were blood-stained.

According to prosecutors, the defendant was a known entity to law enforcement officers and had a history of violence with his family. He was previously paroled from prison six months before the fatal incident, reported JC Post.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

The defendant was previously convicted of felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated battery, criminal threat, and great bodily harm.

Romey will be eligible for parole after 653 months (over 54 years).

Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Austin Huffaker handed Jason Starr, 50, and Darin Starr, 54, a life term in federal prison, which has no parole for the shooting death of Sara Starr. After nine days of trial, a jury found the star brothers guilty of racketeering murder.

“This premeditated murder devastated the victim’s family and the surrounding community. Jason and Darin Starr deserve to spend the rest of their lives separated from society for the terrible crime they committed,” said Acting United States Attorney Ross, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Nov. 27, 2017, officers responded to a Chancellor home in Coffee Springs after the victim's colleagues did a welfare check at the residence because she never showed up for work. Upon their arrival, they found Sara’s body in her driveway under her carport with gunshot wounds. An autopsy report showed the victim was shot twice at point-blank range.

Soon, witnesses identified Jason Starr as a suspect since the contentious divorce proceeding ended four months before the fatal incident. However, investigators discovered Jason Starr had a solid alibi and was at a diner eating when the shooting occurred, reported News 4. During the investigation, authorities found out Jason Starr had contracted his brother, who had a violent criminal history and was a resident of Lakehill, Texas, to kill his ex-wife.  

According to prosecutors, Jason Star had wired $2,600 to his brother as payment in addition to a motorcycle. Though Darin Starr’s phone was turned off during the shooting, prosecutors submitted his phone records to the jury that showed his travel from Texas to Sara Starr’s a couple of times before the incident. Darin Starr had never met his brother’s ex-wife before.

Authorities believe the motive for the killing stemmed from the divorce court order in favor of Sara Starr. The court had ordered the defendant to pay his ex-wife $1,050 a month in child support and $1,500 in alimony in addition to a portion of his military benefits.

Sara Starr was a mother of four and a fourth-grade teacher at Harrand Creek Elementary School in Enterprise.

Last week, Wayne County Judge Sharon Walker sentenced Gabrielle Brantley, 28, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Kabria Arnold, 20, and her unborn child. Brantley was found guilty and convicted of first-degree premeditated murder, assault on a pregnant woman (intentionally causing a miscarriage), and two counts of felony firearm.

Around midnight on Nov. 10, 2019, Detroit police officers responded to Pilgrim and Bentler streets, where they found Arnold’s body with multiple gunshots. According to prosecutors, the victim had just finished her shift at the Meijer store and was less than two miles from her family home when she was gunned down. Later, investigators discovered the 20-year-old softball star at the University of Michigan had been involved in a love triangle with her boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend Brantley. 

After further investigation and witness statements, authorities soon established the defendant as the shooter.  She was arrested eight days after the fatal incident and arraigned at the 36th District Court.

During the trial, Brentley took the stand to maintain her innocence and claimed she did not kill Arnold because they were friends.

"Kabria and I – we hung out a lot. We went bowling, skating, to the movies, out to eat. I am a lot of things, but a murderer I am not," said Brantley during her testimony, reported FOX 2 Detroit.

The jury didn’t buy it!

On the other hand, the victim’s family called Brantley a sick individual monster whose life sentence is nothing compared to the pain of their loss.

“Arnold had been a scholarship softball player at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Morgan State in Baltimore before that. Most recently, she was taking courses through Wayne County Community College District,” said Arnold’s mother, Diane, reported The Detroit News.

United States District Judge Rachel P. Kovner sentenced Melvi Amador-Rios to life in federal prison for the gruesome stabbing death of 16-year-old Julio Vasquez. After a three-week trial, Amador-Rios was found guilty and convicted by a jury of racketeering, murder-in-aid of racketeering, attempted murder-in-aid-of racketeering, assault-in-aid-of racketeering, Hobbs Act robbery, and other firearms charges.

“The defendant will deservedly serve a life sentence for the murder, attempted murder, and armed robberies he committed on behalf of MS-13. Today’s sentence reflects justice for the heinous and senseless nature of the defendant’s crimes and the terror he inflicted on his victims, their families, and the community,” said United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On May 21, 2017, a bird watcher in Alley Pond Park in Queens alerted authorities after sighting the decomposing remains of a male, later identified as Vasquez. An autopsy revealed the victim had been stabbed over 30 times. According to prosecutors, the 32-year-old Amador-Rios, who was the leader of the Centrales Locos Salvatruchas (CLS), a clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, a.k.a. MS-13, had ordered Vasquez to kill a fellow gang member because he was suspected of being a cooperating witness for the authorities. However, when the victim refused, the defendant ordered Vasquez, who he also believed had fraternized with members of a rival gang, to be lured by other associates to the park, where he was brutally stabbed and almost decapitated.

“They didn’t kill an animal — they killed my son, and I want justice. I hope they stay and rot in jail,” stated Vasquez’s mother, Bertha Palaguachi, reported the New York Post.

In addition, on Oct. 23, 2016, Amador-Rios ordered the killing of a member of the 18th Street rival gang. The victim was beaten and shot in the head once because the gun used malfunctioned. However, the victim survived the ordeal but was left paralyzed.

Kovner sentenced Amador-Rios to an additional 158 years in prison for the other charges. He was ordered to serve the sentences consecutively.

Recently, Bishalgarh’s Additional Session Judge Debasish Kar handed Rifle man Sukanta Das a life term in prison for the shooting death of Officers Naike Subedar Marka Singh Jamatia and Naike Subedar Kiran Kumar Jamatia. Das was found guilty and convicted of murder after prosecutors submitted 38 witness statements during the trial.

On Dec. 4, 2021, the TSR post at ONGC’s Gas Gathering Station in Konaban, Sepahijala district, popped on the authorities’ radar after shots rang out and two officers died. According to Tripura Info, Das, who is from another tribe as the victims, had gotten frustrated watching them grant others their leave and deliberately sitting on the approval of his application. As a result, the defendant shot Singh Jamatia and Kumar Jamatia to death at point-blank range before surrendering himself and his rifle at the Madhupur Police Station.

Das admitted to the killings, and he was immediately arrested.

During the sentencing hearing, Kar ordered Das to pay a fine of fifty thousand rupees in addition to the life sentence imposed. However, he admonished officers to be diligent with their jobs and remain sensitive to the plight of their riflemen in the near future, reported The Hindu.

Das will spend an additional year in prison if he fails to pay the fine.

In April 1985, Fairhaven Police responded to the I-195 Highway after a road user found the remains during a rest stop. At the time, the only lead investigators had was a tax-stamped pack of cigarettes, which indicated the individual was from Rhode Island and spent projectiles that showed foul play was involved in the individual’s demise, according to DNA Solves.com. Then, authorities preserved the remains and sent it to the FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. for further identification.

As a result, the FBI made a cast of the victim’s face in an effort to show what he would look like when he was alive. They used the media to disseminate the picture in the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts and hoped someone would recognize the picture. However, the case went cold.

However, in 2022, Massachusetts State authorities submitted the skeletal remains to Othram, a Texas-based company with the capacity to extract DNA using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to create a DNA profile. As a result, the FBI was able to track down a relative of the unidentified individual and led investigators to identify the remains as 32-year-old Keith Olson.

Investigators discovered family members had reported Olson missing in 1981 and told investigators his girlfriend had an ex-boyfriend who was a member of the Mafia. The Olson was last seen leaving his home with two unidentified men.

Now, authorities claim they know who murdered Olson even though the perpetrator died in 2019. However, they believe the killer did not act alone.

“He has never been — not for a moment — out of our minds and hearts. Keith was a vibrant person whose life, disappearance and discovery have meant to much to those who will forever love him,” stated Olson’s family members as they thanked law enforcement officers for never giving up, reported  12 News

Leon County judge sentenced Charles Adelson, 47, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. Adelson was found guilty and convicted of one count of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of solicitation to commit murder.  

On July 18, 2024, Markel had been making a phone call while seated in his car when he was shot to death.  According to NBC News, the defendant's role in the murder came to light after investigators discovered Adelson’s former girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, had facilitated the murder by hiring her ex-husband, Sigfredo Garcia, who is the father of her children, and his friend, Luis Rivera as hitmen.

Prior to the fatal incident, the defendant’s sister, Wendi Adelson, who was estranged and divorced from Markel, was in a bitter dispute and custody battle for their two children. Wendi had wanted to move with the children from Tallahassee to South Florida, close to her family, but the victim refused. In addition, the court judgment for the children to remain in Tallahassee went in favor of Markel.

During the trial, Adelson admitted to outsourcing the contract to kill Markel to Magbanua and paid her a partial payment of $138,000. Furthermore, he told authorities his ex-girlfriend had returned to his home a day after the killing to inform him that the hit was successful and he needed to pay an additional $300,000 within 48 hours or the defendant would suffer the same fate as his brother-in-law.  As a result, Adelson continued to lavish Magbanua with expensive gifts and a monthly payroll of $3,000 to pacify Garcia and Rivera.

In 2019, Garcia and Magbanua were both convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, while Rivera was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 19 years for testifying against the duo.

Meanwhile, on Dec. 11, the defendant’s mother, Donna Adelson, was charged in court for conspiring with her son to commit the murder, reported WXTL Tallahassee. She is currently awaiting trial.  

Adelson was sentenced to an additional 30 years each for the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to murder. He was ordered to serve the sentences consecutively.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Peter J. Corrigan sentenced Duane Jackson, 19, and Leroy Billips, 19, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the drive-by shooting death of 13-year-old Maurco Toler. Jackson and Billips were found guilty and convicted by a jury of murder, felonious assault, and other charges.

“You had a positive outlet for all your activity, and you chose to take that group mentality from a goal of being successful in sports to this goal of seeking retribution and revenge,” said Corrigan during the sentencing hearing, according to Cleveland.com.

On Dec. 11, 2021, the victim had gone to his friend’s house along 260th Street and Zeman Avenue to pay him a visit. Just as he was about to knock on the door, several shots were fired from a Ford Escape SUV that drove by the house, striking Toler and killing him. According to investigators, the occupants of the vehicle were later identified as both defendants and a third co-defendant, Javyonne Stewart, who is currently on the run.

Later, investigators discovered Jackson, who was a tailback for Benedictine High School, and Billips, a tailback for Euclid High School and Ginn Academy, with Stewart, posed for a photograph next to the SUV wearing their ski masks and brandishing their guns an hour after the shooting.

Soon, both defendants were arrested. However, authorities believe Toler’s friend’s older brother had been the intended target.

Billips’ defense lawyer, Joseph Lonardo, requested the court for leniency and claimed his client suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The judge disagreed!

“If you had the trauma of losing someone to gun violence, you shouldn’t have ever wanted to go out to do the same thing, whether if it was for my brother or not, that shouldn’t have ever been in your mind at all,” said Toler’s sister Cadrionya Thompson, reported News 5 Cleveland.

Jackson will be eligible for parole after spending 32 years, while Billips will be eligible for parole after 25 years.

Recently, Summit County Common Pleas Court Visiting Judge Tom Teodosio handed Jaleel Sojouner, 28, a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Janine Surgen. Sojourner pleaded guilty to murder with a three-year gun specification.

On July 3, 2020, around 12:45 pm, officers responded to 27th Street and Waterloo Road in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood after reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they found Surgen with multiple gunshot wounds and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead.

Witnesses told authorities the perpetrators fled the scene in a White Kia. A couple of minutes later, officers pulled a car matching the description with the defendant in the driver seat, Thompson and another juvenile as passengers. They were immediately taken into custody.

 According to Cleveland.com, 20-year-old Surgen had been walking along the street when Sojourner’s co-defendant, Calvin Thompson, who was 16 years old then, walked up to the victim and shot her in the head. Then, he shot her several more times as she lay on the ground. Investigators retrieved video footage from a neighbor’s security camera that captured the entire incident.

Authorities still don’t know the motive for the killing, but they suspect the incident had a lot to do with drugs and Sojourner’s relationship with the victim.

During the sentencing hearing, Sojourner apologized to the family and accepted responsibility for his actions that day. However, Surgen’s family refused his apology.

“God may forgive you, but I won’t. You're a cold-blooded killer — a monster. You don’t deserve the life you’ve been spared. You may not have pulled the trigger, but you put the bullets in motion. I absolutely hate you,” said the victim’s mother, Brenna Surgen, reported Akron Beacon Journal.  

Sojourner will be eligible to be released after spending 18 years in prison. Likewise, Thompson was also sentenced to life and will be eligible to be released after spending 23 years behind bars.

The third co-defendant is awaiting sentencing in a juvenile court.

Recently, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Althea M. Handy sentenced Samuel Wise Jr. to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Chesley “Chesco” Patterson. Wise pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, use of a handgun during the commission of a crime of violence, and first-degree escape for killing.

"The tragic death of Mr. Patterson was a shock to this tight-knit community and our city as a whole. As his family and loved ones approach the second anniversary of his murder, we continue to grieve with them and extend our victim services to them during this immensely difficult time," said Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates, according to WBALTV.

On Jan. 23, 2022, Baltimore City Police Department responded to near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and South Broadway in Fells Point after receiving reports of a shooting. There, they found Patterson with a single gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was rushed to John Hopkins University Hospital, where he was later declared dead.

Patterson, who was the manager of La Scala Ristorante Italiano in Little Italy, had closed up the store around midnight. However, on his way home, the 44-year-old Patterson made a stop at a local store to buy some groceries. However, after shopping, placing the groceries in the trunk of his car, and pulling out of the parking lot, the victim was blocked on his driver’s side by a van. Soon, an occupant of the van accosted Patterson, who struggled with the perpetrator before being struck with a single shot to the chest.

Later, investigators retrieved video footage from a security camera that captured the fatal incident. In the video, Wise could be seen absconding from the scene. As a result, investigators tracked down the 24-year-old defendant and found pictures of him wearing the same clothes as the perpetrator in the video. In addition, they found text messages from Wise to another individual admitting to the murder, while authorities also placed his phone at the scene of the crime.  

Wise will be eligible for release after spending 50 years in prison. He was also sentenced to additional twenty-five years to be served concurrently.

 “Fifty years is nothing compared to the beautiful life lost and the anxiety, trauma and hurt that was brought upon so many. I hope this murderer lays awake at night and his heart hurts just as bad as ours will forever. Our voices must be heard. We love you Chesley, and we will scream your name forever,” stated the victim’s family in a statement reported Law and Crime.

Patterson was an employee of La Scala restaurant for 17 years.

Last week, a St. Louis County judge sentenced Christopher Turner, 28, to life without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Charlisa Turner. Turner was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

On July 31, 2021, Charlisa went to her parent’s home along the 2100 block of Old Manor Road near Dellwood to pick up the three children she shared with the defendant. According to FOX 2 now, while the children were inside the home, the defendant shot his wife twice before walking calmly to his car. Then, Turner returned to where the 27-year-old Charlisa was lying and shot her eight more times before fleeing the scene.

Later, investigators retrieved a home surveillance camera that captured the fatal incident, which played a vital role for the jury during the trial. Later, Turner took the stand in his own defense and testified he shot Charlisa in self-defense. Furthermore, the defendant claimed the video footage had been altered.

The jury didn’t buy it!

However, the victim’s stepmother, Aimee Ward, who was also a registered nurse, testified she had been at home during the shooting and tried to perform CPR on Charlisa before the arrival of an emergency response team on the scene.

“She was the light of our life. She was happy. She was smart. She wanted a family life like she grew up in,” said Ward, reported St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Turner had been married to Charlisa for six years before the couple got divorced in 2019. Their three children were between the ages of 2 and 6.  He was sentenced to an additional three years for the armed criminal action conviction.

Latterly, a Travis County judge handed Kaitlin Armstrong a 90-year sentence in prison for the shooting death of rising professional cyclist Anna "Mo" Wilson. After two hours of deliberation, Armstrong was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

On May 11, 2022, officers responded to an apartment on Maple Avenue, East Austin, where the victim had been staying with a long-time friend on her visit to participate in the Gravel Locos in Hico. Upon arrival, they found Wilson with two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the chest. Despite several attempts to save her life, the 25-year-old was declared dead at the scene.

During the investigation, authorities recovered a neighbor’s security camera footage that captured Armstrong’s Jeep Grand Cherokee outside the residence. According to prosecutors, the defendant’s boyfriend, Colin Strickland, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Wilson, had been with her hours before the fatal incident. The duo had gone swimming and had dinner together at a restaurant before dropping the victim off at the residence. Soon after, Armstrong shot Wilson to death. 

Investigators discovered Armstrong had access to her boyfriend's email and text messages. Then, she tracked Wilson to the location using a fitness app. In addition, bullet casings found at the crime scene matched the gun owned by the defendant. 

According to the Independent, authorities brought in the defendant with a warrant for her arrest on unrelated charges three days after the incident. However, they discovered the warrant was invalid and had to let her go. The next day, the 35-year-old Yoga Instructor sold her Jeep Grand Cherokee to a local dealership and absconded to Costa Rica.

For 43 days, authorities searched for Armstrong, who had spent about $8,000 for plastic surgery on her nose, changed her hairstyle and color to disguise her identity while using false identification to evade authorities. However, agents at a seaside tourist area found the defendant at Don Jon’s Surf and Yoga Hostel in Santa Teresa. Later, Armstrong was deported to the United States and charged for Wilson’s murder.

During the trial, witnesses testified the defendant was outraged after she found out about the affair between the victim and Strickland. In addition, they heard her threaten to kill Wilson.

"When you shot Moriah in the heart, you shot me in the heart. .... all the people who loved her, pierced their hearts," said the victim’s mother, Karen Wilson, during the victim’s impact statement, reported NPR.

Wilson had attempted to escape a second time while incarcerated during a trip to a medical facility. However, prosecutors recently filed a motion to dismiss the escape charges.

The defendant has filed a notice of appeal.

Last month, 23rd Judicial District Court Chief Judge Glenn Braun sentenced Colby Alan Trickle, 29, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his wife, Kristen Trickle, 26. Trickle was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree premeditated murder and interference with law enforcement.

“Sadly, we will never be able to bring Kristen Trickle back. It is my hope, however, that this conviction brings some level of comfort and healing to those who knew and loved Kristen," said Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson, according to CBS 19 News.

During the morning hours of Oct. 31, 2019, police officers responded to a home shared by the defendant and his wife after receiving reports of a suicide. Upon arrival, they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head. The defendant told investigators his wife had shot herself in the head with a revolver. Kristen’s family denied she had ever been suicidal.

However, investigators discovered Trickle had been on the internet ten days prior to the homicide trying to find out how to collect on a life insurance policy. According to prosecutors, the defendant at the time of the homicide had been involved in an online affair and had collected on his wife’s insurance policy. In a few months, Trickle had wasted all the money.

“There is clear evidence that this crime was committed for financial gain. And that Trickle has refused to take one iota of responsibility,” said Braun during the sentencing phase, reported Hays Post.

Trickle will be eligible for parole after serving 50 years.

Recently, a Liverpool Crown Court in the United Kingdom sentenced James Witham, 41, Joseph Peers, 29, Niall Barry, 26, and Sean Zeisz, 28, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Ashley Dale, 28. After a seven week trial, the men were found guilty and convicted by a jury of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon, and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

“That night, Ashley was in the safest place she thought she would be her home. Let today be a clear message that Merseyside Police and communities of Merseyside will not tolerate the actions of those who are intent on destroying lives. Together we will be relentless in identifying those who carry or use firearms ensuring those individuals or groups are removed from our streets,” said Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings, reported Merseyside Police.

On Aug. 21, 2022, police officers responded to a home on Leinster Road in Old Swan, Liverpool, after reports of a shooting at the residence, which led to the death of Dale. According to prosecutors, a long-time feud had been ongoing between the victim’s boyfriend, Lee Harrison, and Barry over some stolen drugs. Both men were members of rival gangs and had gotten into a violent altercation at the Glastonbury festival a few weeks before the fatal incident.

That fateful night, Dale had been home watching TV when Witham kicked in the front door and fired several shots from a Scorpion sub-machine gun, one of which struck the victim in the abdomen. At the time, Harrison was not home, but nevertheless, he refused to cooperate with authorities.

Investigators presented witnesses who heard Barry threatening to stab Harrison to death during the fight at the festival. In a twist of irony, Dale had left voice notes and messages to friends describing the feud and the anxiety she experienced constantly watching over her shoulder.

Witham, who previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and admitted to being the trigger man, received a minimum term of 43 years. Zeisz was sentenced to a minimum term of 42 years, Barry to a minimum of 47 years, and Peers to a minimum of 41 years.

“She is a beautiful, intelligent, charismatic, career-driven, and family-oriented young woman. She knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to achieve it; she always did,” said the victim’s father, Steven Dunne, during the victim’s impact statement, according to The Guardian.

St. Mary’s County Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis handed Wayne Carroll Key, Jr., 44, two terms of life without the possibility of parole for the double homicide of Martina Lynn Patterson, 37, and her 6-year-old daughter, Lyneasha Justice Greenwell. After eight days of trial, Key was found guilty and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree assault.

“The unimaginable killing of a child and her mother is truly despicable. I want to extend my sincerest condolences to the family of our victims. Although nothing can ever bring back our innocent victims, my hope is that with these convictions the family may begin the process of healing,” stated State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling, according to Southern Maryland News Net.

On Nov. 25, 2021, officers responded to a wooded area of Colony Square Water Station on South Shangri-La Drive in Lexington Park after reports of two dead bodies.  Upon arrival, they found the body of an adult female and a child. The bodies were later identified as Patterson and Greenwell.

Investigators identified the defendant as a strong person of interest, and he was later arrested and charged with the murders. According to prosecutors, Key viciously murdered Patterson and then realized her daughter witnessed the fatal incident. Then, he proceeded to kill the victim’s daughter.

During the trial, 200 pieces of evidence and 40 witnesses were presented to the jury. Though the trial was heavily circumstantial, the evidence which included DNA materials, cell phone maps, and expert testimonies in forensic medicine.

“The case was a circumstantial evidence case in its entirety that was very compelling and substantial,” said Stanalonis during the sentencing hearing, reported The Baynet.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

At the time of key’s arrest, he was also wanted for prior arrest warrants for burglary, harassment, assault, and child support.

The defendant was ordered to serve both terms consecutively.

Recently, U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey sentenced Williams to four years in federal prison for defrauding health insurance companies and federal and state governments of $564,000. Williams pleaded guilty to tax, bank, insurance, and other pandemic-related frauds.

“Ms. Williams displayed a blatant disregard for the victims of her deceit. Financial crimes of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.  

Authorities zeroed in on the 33-year-old reality show star after she made false statements on her tax returns between 2016 and 2019. The defendant had reported a gross receipt of $15,000, though she racked in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. According to prosecutors, in 2019, Williams told an undercover IRS agent who sought her business coaching services that she had a great accountant who knew how to report the first three years of her business as a loss despite making over $250,000 a month.

In addition, the St. Louis resident opened bank accounts and lines of credit using the social security numbers of others while receiving COVID-19 relief payments by providing false information. In 2021, Williams’ contract while filming a show included $4,000 to pay her rent. Instead, she applied for rent relief from the State of California and pocketed the funds.

Williams’ defense attorney, Beau Brindley, sought leniency from the court by arguing the defendant’s philanthropic attributes towards notable fundraisers and foundations. Brindley further argued someone like his client should not be behind bars but should be granted the opportunity to do great things in her community.

The judge disagreed!

“In your own mind, ‘Eh, it’s not really that bad. But it is. It’s really that bad,” said Autrey at the sentencing hearing, reported St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“While a thorough investigation continues into her death, at this time, evidence points to Emanuele having taken her own life. This was a determination that could not have been made prior to the recovery of her body,” said Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, according to NJ.com.

June 7 should have just been like every typical day for Lara Emanuele after a long day of teaching and grading assignments at school. However, she never returned home and was reported missing to authorities.

Six months later, the Morris County Police Department responded to a wooded area off Howard Boulevard and Route 80 in Roxbury Township after a K-9 successfully tracked her to that location. An autopsy later identified the body as Emanuele, and authorities were able to conclude there was no foul play involved in her death but established it was an apparent suicide.

Investigators gathered video footage that showed Emanuele shopping by herself at Walmart alone, arriving at a hotel nearby on her own accord, and leaving her phone and a suicide note behind in the car. The note was handwritten and indicated she did not want to be found. Nevertheless, rumors of foul play have circulated on social media, but authorities remain adamant the victim died by suicide.  

“Morris County is not untouched by the national mental health crisis, and unfortunately there have been 31 suicides reported to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit year to date, 11 of which our office have responded to assist local law enforcement with the investigation,” said Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, reported Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

The 46-year-old educator was a teacher at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School 46-year-old. Family members, co-workers, and her students described Emanuele as a special person. 

Latterly, Gallatin County District Court Judge John C. Brown sentenced Patricia Batts, 51 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the torture death of her grandson James “Alex” Hurley. To avoid the death penalty, Batts pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide, felony criminal child endangerment, and witness tampering.

“This is a horrific case of child abuse. It was totally unnecessary, and it was done with malevolence,” said Brown during the sentencing hearing, according to AP News.

In February 2020, authorities discovered James’ body in the living room of the home Batts shared with her husband, James Sasser Jr.,51, son and daughter.  Initially, the defendant had told investigators James had been suicidal, erratic and hearing voices. As a result, Batts and family members told investigators that the victim had deliberately run into the entertainment center to hurt himself.

However, the medical examiner’s report showed contrary evidence to the family’s claim. An autopsy showed James died of blunt force trauma to the back of his head, in addition to various bruises and wounds all over his body. As a result, authorities seized phones from family members and found video footage of James being abused and tortured.

Some of the footage showed James being forced to exercise by doing jumping jack, wall squats, and making him stand in front of a fan wearing nothing but his underwear. In addition, the video also showed the victim being sprayed with an unidentified substance that caused him to choke.

“I regret not being the grandmother Alex should’ve had,” said Batts, reported East Idaho News.

In March 2022, James Sasser Jr. was sentenced to 100 years in prison after he pleaded to charges similar to his wife. The couple’s 14-year-old son was sentenced as a minor to a juvenile detention center till his 18th birthday for his role in the homicide. On the other hand, their daughter was sentenced to probation. 

Latterly, Circuit Court Judge Daliah Weiss sentenced Claudio Ivan Valdiviezo Samayoa to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Jamal Drummond, 23. Though Samayoa's first trial ended in a mistrial, the second jury found him guilty and convicted him of first-degree pre-meditated murder with a firearm.

On Oct. 15, 2021, the Palm Beach Police Department responded to a Holiday Inn Express on 45th Street, west of I-95, after receiving reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, they found Drummond’s body on the ground with a gunshot wound to the face. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to CBS 12 News, the defendant had approached Drummond and two other witnesses while they smoked cigarettes in the parking lot.  Then, Samayoa asked if they had seen a young girl in a picture that was on his phone. They all denied ever seeing the girl before the defendant started peeking into one of the cars nearby. As a result, Drummond chastised Samayoa who walked away into the hotel. Later, witnesses heard gunshots and saw the defendant running towards the gas station across the streets to a waiting car.

A few weeks later, authorities tracked down the car and discovered it was an Uber service the Samayoa had commissioned using cash instead of the service’s platform. The Uber driver identified Samayoa as the passenger he dropped at the hotel and who ran into his car after the shooting. In addition to witness identification, investigators retrieved security video footage that showed the suspect matching the exact features of Samayoa.

Authorities also tracked the defendant’s movement through his phone log, which corroborated the Uber driver’s account of the event leading to the homicide.

The motive still remains unclear.

After the first trial, prosecutors offered Samayoa a plea bargain with a reduced charge of manslaughter to serve 15 years in prison. He declined the offer!

In 2009, Michelle Morrison’s hope of ever walking free was dashed after she was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of another by being in the wrong place and hanging out with the wrong crowd. However, instead of sulking and complaining about the cards she had been dealt, Morrison raised herself from the ashes, took college classes, and became a university graduate behind bars.

Two years prior to her conviction as a felon, Morrison had gone to a home with a friend who needed to collect a debt. However, an altercation ensued between her friend and a counterpart, Keith Alan Brown, leading to a shootout. As a result, a life was lost, and Morrison was sucked into the web as a conspirator and was charged with a felony murder charge, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy over the shooting death of Brown.

After serving 13 years in prison, the defendant was released through Fulton County Integrity Unit. The unit was created to re-examine questionable convictions and to guard against future conviction errors. Recently, Morrison walked across the stage to receive her degree in the presence of her family members.

"To see people judge me by those labels, it hurt bad. I feel honored now. I put away the shame, anything that I had negative feelings, and I feel great to walk across that stage," said Morrison, reported 11 Alive.

She remains the first woman to be released under the Fulton County Integrity Unit. Morrison and her mother who is her number one fan are now advocates for black women serving long sentences.   

Recently, 24th Judicial District Court Judge June Berry Darensburg handed Dennis Sheppard, 60, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the strangulating death of his girlfriend Jyra Holmes. After 36 minutes deliberation, Sheppard was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder.  

“She had a full life ahead of her; she was very young. To take someone’s life, I would have to agree with the impact testimony: It was an evil act,” said Darensburg during the sentencing hearing, according to FOX 8.

On Nov. 2, 2020, the Jefferson Parish Police Department responded to the 1500 Block of West Chelsea Road in Harvey after reports of violent domestic dispute. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Holmes in the driveway of her apartment complex with a zip-tie around her neck.

According to prosecutors, the defendant and Holmes had been in a heated dispute and altercation outside the victim’s home. Then, Sheppard used a zip tie to strangle his girlfriend in front of witnesses who heard him claim Holmes wanted him dead, and now she is dead.

Immediately, Sheppard fled the scene, but U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force found and arrested the defendant in a Motel 6 complex in Mississippi three days later.

“I hope the only mercy you get for the rest of your life is the mercy you showed my sister,” stated Holmes’ twin sister during the victim impact statement, reported Law & Crime.

Sheppard’s defense lawyer argued the defendant was not guilty of second-degree murder but manslaughter, which carries a lesser penalty of 40 years in prison. Darensburg denied the motion for a new trial and post-verdict judgment of acquittal.

Recently, Old Bailey Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb sentenced Joshua Bowles to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the aggravated stabbing of an American female employee of the National Security Agency (NSA). Bowles pleaded guilty and was convicted of attempted murder and assault.

On March 9, Bowles, who had been a software coding developer at GCHQ, accosted the victim, only referred to as “99230,” at the parking lot of a leisure center in Tommy Taylors Lane in Cheltenham where she played netball regularly. According to Sky News, the defendant, who had been in possession of two knives in his rucksack, punched and stabbed her repeatedly. He was fended off by the victim, her friend, a.k.a 25869, and a passerby who also suffered a punch. Though the victim managed to retreat into the leisure center, the defendant pulled out a second knife, followed her, and continued attacking her.

After Bowles’ arrest, the 29-year-old defendant told investigators he chose the victim solely because she worked for the NSA. He explained further to express his fury with the Americans, claiming not to be able to handle anymore the murky waters of ethics and the power of the NSA.

“It’s a good job I didn’t have a gun, isn’t it?  I make a pretty shit terrorist, don’t I?,” said Bowles, reported The Guardian.

Bowles’ defense lawyer, Tim Forte, disagreed with the prosecutor’s argument that the defendant’s action should be classified as a terrorism incident. Instead, he argued that his client was depressed and diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

99230 spent a week in the hospital and ultimately recovered from her wounds. She had been enrolled in a master’s program and was planning for a half-marathon before the incident.

Bowles will be eligible for parole after spending 13 years in prison.

Latterly, a Lauderdale County judge sentenced Yalrick Zeonsha Pride, 23, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the beating death of Kaiden Garner. Though Pride was initially charged with aggravated child abuse, she was ultimately found guilty and convicted by a jury of felony murder.

“Kaiden’s mother has lived this for three years and was able to get some things off her mind today and speak her peace and get some victim impact information out there, and I think that was healthy for her,” said Lauderdale County District Attorney Christopher Connolly, reported to News 19.

On Aug. 12, 2020, the Florence Police Department responded to North Alabama Medical Center after Garner’s death. At first, authorities thought the child died from heat exposure but later determined through an autopsy that Garner’s death was due to blunt force trauma.

Upon further investigation, the victim’s father, Blake Joshwell Townsend, admitted to hitting his son twice in his abdomen with an open hand while describing some external injuries. He was also indicted and charged with beating and punching a minor, causing a laceration of the child’s liver, other internal injuries, and external injuries, and leading to the death of a child. According to AL.com, Townsend pleaded guilty in exchange for his testimony against his former girlfriend and co-defendant. He was sentenced to life in prison.

During Pride’s trial, Townsend’s defense lawyers asked the judge for leniency and a sentence reduction due to their client’s cooperation with authorities. The judge denied the request.

According to prosecutors, the couple had been on a joy ride smoking marijuana while Garner had been in the back seat dying. By the time paramedics found the child, Garner’s body was cold with rigor mortis already set in.

Garner’s family set up a foundation to raise awareness of child abuse and its prevention.

Recently, a Bedford County judge handed 76-year-old Nancy Focht a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her husband, David Focht, Sr, 74. Focht was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.

“The defendant murdered her husband then tried to lie her way out of being caught. Although nothing can bring back David Focht Sr., thanks to the hard work and diligence of the investigators and prosecutors on this case, Nancy Focht is being held fully accountable for his death,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry, according to the PA Office of Attorney General.

On Sept. 11, 2018, officers responded to a property on Mountain Penny Lane after reports of a shooting. Focht had called 911 and told the operative her husband had shot himself in the shed. According to prosecutors, the defendant changed her story multiple times during her initial interviews with investigators. Later, Focht confessed to shooting her husband in the shed after a heated argument.

However, during the trial, Focht’s defense lawyer, Justin Miller, argued his client’s motive was due to bouts of domestic violence. Hence, Focht shot her husband in self-defense.

The jury disagreed.

Last week, Kent County Superior Court Justice David Cruise handed Audriana Hill, 33, a term of fifteen years in prison for the vehicular death of 25-year-old Caleb Winfrey. Hill pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence, resulting in death.  

“This tragedy was completely avoidable, and unfortunately we see impaired driving cases like this one all too often. While there is no justice that can undo the pain caused to this victim’s family, I commend their bravery in making sure the defendant was held accountable,” said Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor, reported WPRI.com.

During the rush hour traffic of Dec. 7, 2021, Warwick Police Department and the emergency personnel responded to the intersection of West Natick Road and Bald Hill Road after reports of an accident. Upon arrival at the crash site, they found the defendant in a 2021 Kia K5 while the victim was in a 2016 Toyota Corolla. After rescuing both Winfrey and Hill from their mangled vehicles, the duo was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

According to Newport Buzz, first responders found small empty containers of alcohol in the defendant’s clothes. In addition, four other empty alcohol bottles were found near her car, and her breath was wreaked of alcohol. Hence, Hill was subjected to a blood test which showed a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.165%, which was twice the legal limit.

During the investigation, witnesses told authorities Hill drove through the red light without applying brakes before crashing into Winfrey. Furthermore, investigators determined the defendant was driving around 81 miles per hour.

Winfrey died two weeks after the crash. He was a data analyst for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.

Cruise suspended seven years of Hill’s sentence and ordered her to serve an additional 15 years probation upon her release. The defendant already had two prior DUI convictions.

Last week, Ontario Court Justice Danial Newton sentenced Jesse Allen, 40, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of his 18-year-old brother, Wayne Allen. After a six-day trial, Jesse was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder.

On Jan. 30, 2021, officers responded to a residential property on Flicker Avenue in Manitouwadge after reports of a stabbing incident. Upon arrival, they found Wayne with life-threatening injuries before he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

According to prosecutors, the defendant had gone to the home shared by his father, Glen Allen, and Wayne. While Glen and Jesse sat at the kitchen table smoking marijuana, Wayne was sitting on the couch in the living room. Suddenly, the defendant got up and walked to his brother on the couch and stabbed him twice in the chest while repeatedly telling his dad he wanted his house back and his brother was not dead.

Jesse was immidiately arrested at the scene.

“How do you like that dad, two birds with one stone. I want my house back. Wayne’s not dead, Wayne’s not dead,” said Jesse, reported SNnewswatch.com.

An autopsy report established the victim had been stabbed through his heart and lungs.

During the trial, Jesse’s defense team argued the defendant had no intention of killing his brother. Hence, he should have been sentenced to a lesser charge of manslaughter. The jury didn’t buy it!

Jesse will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 15 years in prison.

Today, a Cebu Province judge sentenced Troy Birthisel to life in a Philippine prison. Initially, Birthisel was arrested on a charge of suspicious sex trafficking but was later reduced to illegal recruitment involving economic sabotage.

In October 2013, the 54-year-old former mining executive was traveling to Singapore with his Filipino girlfriend, Lovely Jane Modina, and six other Filipino women at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport when authorities arrested him.  Birthisel told investigators during interrogation that he was asked to escort the ladies to Singapore, where they were expected to gain employment in the hospitality sector. In addition, the defendant testified government officials had tried to extort money from him at the airport. 

For over a decade, Birthisel’s case had suffered numerous setbacks and adjournments, including the demise of one of his key witnesses. Furthermore, four of the women who had been detained with the defendant initially took the position of the prosecutor in an affidavit establishing Birthisel as a sex trafficker. However, the women recanted their statements years later, testifying that government officials pressured them to make false statements after their passports were confiscated.

"I was 99 percent sure (the verdict) would be in my favour. It was a kick in the guts, but I've got to keep my chin up and keep going. I'm not going to give up the fight," said Birthisel, reported 9 News.

Modina was also sentenced to life in prison. Birthisel, a father of six from Queensland, would be eligible for release after spending a minimum of 30 years in prison.

Recently, U.S. District Court U.S. Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Javion Bush to six years in federal prison for the death threats against two cooperating witnesses in a government investigation into the activities of the Goonie Gang.

Bush, a member of the street gang, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after authorities were alerted to his Facebook post naming two cooperating witnesses, tagging their social media accounts, and stating, “All Rats Must Die.”

“Without witnesses, the truth about an incident will never be found. Witnesses should be protected at all costs and threatening them should be sanctioned swiftly and severely,”  stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Berry III, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

At the time, the federal government had been investigating the Goonie Gang for years. It had provided enforcement documents to another of its members who were being tried for murder in Illinois. As a result, the 23-year-old defendant read the document and discovered the identities of the witnesses.  

The investigation led to the conviction of three Goonie Gang members for six murders in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. In addition, several other associates were convicted of racketeering conspiracy.

Recently, 23rd Judicial Circuit Judge Donna Pate handed X’Zavier Kamontae Scott, 21, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Tiffany Kelley, a.k.a Good Samaritan, 29. Scott was found guilty and convicted of capital murder by a Madison County jury.

On Sept. 22, 2018, Kelley stopped at a store in South Huntsville, where Scott and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Domanek Jackson, approached her to request a ride. Kelley obliged! Then, she decided to pick up some items at her residence first before driving the couple to their designated destination. According to prosecutors, as Kelley was about to turn into the road leading to her trailer, Scott stabbed her in the neck repeatedly before dumping her body and throwing her out of the car.

Next, the couple stole the car and drove to Clarke County, where authorities arrested the duo and extradited them to face capital murder charges in Madison County. Initially, Scott’s first trial ended in a mistrial due to an investigator who introduced a statement on the stand regarding the defendant’s violent history against his girlfriend. The statement was barred and inadmissible as part of a pretrial agreement, hence, Scott’s defense lawyer argued for a mistrial, and the judge granted the motion.

However, during Jackson’s trial, Scott testified he was the sole perpetrator for stabbing Kelley and, in a letter to the judge, apologizing for the fatal incident, admitted being the killer and accepted full responsibility. The defendant blamed his behavior on his bout with depression and being homeless.  

Kelley’s family described her as a selfless individual who would help anyone in need and was a mom of twin 8-year-old boys.

“She was the glue that held our family together, always had a smile on her face. Her being so kindhearted is what got her in trouble, ultimately, because she was just trying to help somebody, that’s just who she was,” said Kelley’s sister Ashley Beichler, reported News 19.

Jackson, who is now 20, was not found guilty of capital murder but convicted of robbery. Hence, she was ultimately sentenced to life in prison.

“I remember I always wanted to sleep with her. So we got home that night. She put us to bed and I remember saying, ‘Can I -- can I just please sleep with you?’ And she’s like, ‘No,’ you know, ‘Sleep in your room.’ And so we went to sleep,” said Horwath’s daughter, Robin Horwath, reported NBC News.

Horwath, who was originally from Philadelphia, was living and working in Ann Arbor, Michigan. On Oct. 1, 1973, Robin vividly remembers her mother had taken her and her siblings to Briarwood Mall a day prior for shopping at Sears. However, when she woke up, her mother was not in her bedroom, and her car was still outside.  Robin, who was 8 years old at the time, felt her mother must have gone to the local hospital where she worked as a clerk. Then, she called the hospital and was surprised when she was told her mother never arrived at work. Next, she called her babysitter, who rushed to get her and her siblings ready for school.

According to the FBI, Horwath took a call from a male friend on that fateful day around 9 p.m. before the babysitter reported Horwath missing to Ann Arbor police the next day. Upon arrival, they searched the entire house but found nothing amiss. However, the flowerbeds outside had been disturbed. In addition, her clothes that night, including her purse and checkbook, were missing from her home. Though Horwath was divorced, authorities zoomed in on her ex-husband as a suspect since he only lived an hour away, However, he had an alibi and passed a polygraph test, eliminating him as a suspect.

In April 1975, the Washington Police Department in Seattle contacted the Royal Oak Police in Michigan about a homicide case they were working on since the perpetrator had a violent history of shooting at women and a series of arrests with the department. Soon, they discovered the case in Washington was eerily similar to that of Horwath. The perpetrator’s name was Gary Addison Taylor.

Later, it was determined, though an old acquaintance of Horwath at a model home development where she worked to pick some extra hours, that he had introduced them to each other. At the time, Taylor had confessed to authorities of killing four women and had buried their bodies on his property. After a massive search of his property, two female bodies were identified. However, Horwath’s body was never found.   

Investigators continued interrogating Taylor, but he only admitted knowing her but denied killing Horwath.

Though Taylor had been sent to a mental institution many times, he was often released due to a Michigan law that bars individuals with mental health issues to be held indefinitely.  However, Taylor has been serving a life sentence at a Washington penitentiary since 1975 for the murder of a young woman named Vonnie Stuth.

Horwath’s family believes strongly that Taylor knows what happened to their mother. They described her as an amazing mother full of happiness and laughter.

If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office.

Recently, U.S. District Court Judge James C. Denver III sentenced William Dayshawn Wilson, a.k.a Santana, to 19.5 years in federal prison for his leadership role in an organized drug trafficking syndicate. Wilson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more fentanyl and aiding and abetting.

The case stemmed from Jan. 13, 2019, after officers responded to one of the defendant’s drug trap houses along Gracie Farms Trailer Park in Craven County after reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Coriana Cox inside the trailer after Wilson called the trap house for the drugs to be discarded. Since then, authorities realized the defendant was involved in distributing large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Furthermore, they discovered the defendant supervised various drug trap houses and moved drugs from New Jersey to North Carolina between 2014 and 2020.  

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, on April 2, 2019, officers placed the 32-year-old defendant in custody in Greenville, North Carolina, for a probation violation charge. During the arrest, a suitcase with over $30,000 and a fake Florida driver’s license with Wilson’s face and the name “Akiz Jackman,” was found in his possession.

Two weeks later, during a surveillance operation, officers observed Wilson’s wife, Shatavia Wilson, receiving a package in her trunk from an unidentified individual. Soon, she was pulled over, and with the help of a K-9 officer, officers found $42,000 in the car. Furthermore, while incarcerated, investigators discovered Wilson used a jail phone to arrange a heroin shipment from New Jersey to North Carolina. As a result, his accomplice was pulled over on the way back from New Jersey, and 80 grams of heroin was found in the vehicle.   

“We are committed to keeping our streets safe from the destructive influence of gang activity and the deadly impact of fentanyl trafficking. Today’s sentencing is a clear message to those who engage in such criminal enterprises will face the full force of the law. We will relentlessly protect our communities and ensure justice is served,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, reported News Channel-ABC 12.

Wilson was a high-ranking member of the Craven County Blood gang.

Last week, 7th Circuit Court Judge Karen Foxman handed Toriano Brooks, 31, a mandatory life sentence for the shooting death of Kavon Banks, 35, of Deltona, Florida. After a three-day trial, Brooks was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder with a firearm.

On June 20, 2021, officers responded along a drainage ditch in a wooded area close to South State Road 415 and Lake Ashby Road in New Smyrna Beach after a witness saw a car speeding off and sighting a body.  Upon arrival, they found Banks’ body dumped with four gunshot wounds.  According to Volusia County State Attorney’s Office, the victim had been riding in a car with a co-defendant, Montrez Hamilton, 30, when Brooks and another co-defendant, Isaiah Devonta Moore, 24, fatally shot the victim.

A day prior to the incident, the defendant and Hamilton had been in an apartment in Deland, planning how to make some money. In addition, Bank’s family members told authorities they had last seen the victim driving off with Hamilton before his demise.  Later, investigators found Brooks and Moore flashing stacks of cash on social media.

“These defendants have no respect for the sanctity of human life. As soon as they killed the victim, they were flashing stacks of cash on social media.  Brooks will now spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder. We will also be seeking the maximum penalty for Moore,” said Volusia County State Attorney R.J. Larizza, reported The Daytona Beach Journal.

Moore was convicted of manslaughter with a weapon and faces a 30-year sentence, while Hamilton pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to a life felony. Hamilton is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.

At first, Wade’s mother, Mary Ramsbottom, was happy her daughter would be moving close to the family residence in Florida due to a job transfer, she was elated.  The homecoming had been anticipated since Wade had been living with her husband, whom she married soon after high school. A week later, Wade and Brandon disappeared without a trace.

On Oct. 14, 2002, Wade, who had been a manager at Sam’s Club, failed to show up to work. Since the 25-year-old mother had never missed a day at work in five years, concerned friends and colleagues invoked a welfare check at her apartment. Upon the arrival of authorities, Wade and her son were nowhere to be found except for her car keys, wallet, and purse. Investigators also found her glasses at the residence, which raised a red flag since Wade was almost blind and would not go anywhere without it.

According to authorities, at the time, Wade was estranged from her husband, who was stationed at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Initially, the couple met while the Ramsbottoms were stationed in Europe. After the couple got married, Wade’s husband was transferred to South Korea while she lived with her sister. Later, they moved to Valdosta, Georgia, upon his return home.

From the onset, investigators met a dead end and promptly exhausted all leads. Hence, the case went cold. However, the Ramsbottom family had generated interest in the case over the years by spreading the word on social media, sharing flyers, and putting pressure on the police. It worked!

Recently, the FBI and the Valdosta Police Department have placed the case on its missing list and ordered a fresh look with age progression pictures of what Wade and Brandon would look like today.  

“As of this time all leads and clues have been exhausted. A fresh pair of eyes, new thoughts, ideas, and hopefully fresh leads could be the break needed,” said  Stephen Thompson, commander of the Valdosta Police Department’s Bureau of Investigation, reported USA Today.

If anyone has information that could blow this case wide open, please contact the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office at 770-216-3000 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Recently, Bergen County Judge Gary Wilcox sentenced Randy Manning to life in prison for the shooting death of aspiring rapper Rhian Stoute, whose stage name was “kampane.” Manning was found guilty and convicted of murder, desecration and unlawful moving of human remains, arson, destroying evidence, lying to law enforcement, illegal gun possession, and other charges.

The case stemmed from the decision of the appeal court to throw out the initial 2014 conviction after the court established in 2020 that prosecutors failed to secure a search warrant before checking his cell phone records and location.

"There is nothing more cowardly than shooting someone in the back," said Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Gary Donatello, according to Englewood.

In August 2011, officers found Stoute’s burnt body behind his Chevy Tahoe on Village Circle in Paramus. Then, an autopsy revealed the victim had been shot four times, with one of the shots tearing through the victim’s heart and killing him instantly. According to prosecutors, Manning shot Stoute to death in an abandoned building before stashing the body in the vehicle and burning the victim’s body. Investigators found a California driver’s license with the defendant’s face and the name "Jamal Johnson" on it. Later, video footage from a gas station showed Manning laughing with the attendant as he bought a gas canister, a lighter, and a pair of gloves after shooting Stoute.

Furthermore, Manning had reached out to investigators to inquire about the status of the case. As a result, the defendant was questioned and told authorities he had seen the victim last at the abandoned building where investigators established Stoute was killed. After investigators found many holes in Manning’s story, he finally admitted to the killing.

The motive for the killing remains unclear. Both men had been shopping together at a mall the day before the fatal incident.

During the retrial, Manning’s defense lawyer challenged some of the witnesses’ recollection of specific evidence. In a last effort, Manning took the stand and told the jury Stoute was more than a friend, but like a cousin to him.

"He didn't sound like he was talking about somebody that he loved. He sounded jealous and angry," said Wilcox during the sentencing hearing, reported CBS News.

The jury didn’t believe him!

Manning, a Trinidad and Tobago national, had prior criminal convictions from 2005.

Recently, Douglas County District Judge Tom Gregory sentenced Jessica Thomas to life in prison with the possibility of parole for narcotics exposure to officers of the Douglas County Sherriff Department. Thomas pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts related to drug trafficking.

According to KOLO News Now, on Oct. 20, 2022, officers arrested Thomas and her co-defendant, Regina Rojas, during a drug sting operation at Stateline. Upon breaching the Chevrolet sedan the duo was driving, authorities found a sealed container. After opening it, they had to call in medics to treat officers after they were contaminated with toxic levels of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin. Video footage showed officers reacting to the drugs while one of the officers was given five doses of Narcan to revive him.

"As we opened that container, it pressurized just like on a plane and pushed some of the substance out," said Douglas County sheriff Dan Coverley, reported News 4.

In addition, authorities had to decontaminate the jail where the women were placed in custody.  

Initially, Thomas had denied ever selling narcotics with Rojas but had a change of mind one week before her trial.

Rojas was sentenced to 32.5 years in prison with parole after 12 years due to less participation in the charges against the defendant. On the other hand, Thomas is eligible for parole after serving 19 years.

Last week, Walton County Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells handed Jennifer Marie Greer, 45, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her boyfriend, Daniel Jones. Greer was convicted of second-degree murder.

On Nov. 5, 2021, Walton County Sheriff's Department responded to Pointe of View Condominiums in Miramar Beach after reports of a homicide at the complex. Upon arrival, they found Jones dead at the scene with multiple gunshots.

According to WEAR News, the victim’s roommate had seen Jones and Greer in a heated argument. As a result, he decided to take a walk in the parking lot. Soon, the roommate saw the defendant leaving the apartment in a hurry. Then, he returned to the apartment, where he found Jones’ body on the floor.

Later, Greer was arrested by Okaloosa County deputies and handed to Walton County investigators. During an initial interview, the defendant told investigators Jones’ ex-girlfriend had committed the homicide. However, authorities retrieved video footage of Greer leaving the apartment complex and tossing away an object. Officers traced the location on the video and found the gun, which was later determined to be the murder weapon.

The State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida prosecuted the case.

Recently, a Tarrant County judge handed Rickey Wayne Edwards, 54, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his wife, Portia Williams Edwards, and her son, Kameion Kitchen, 28.  Edwards, who represented himself during the trial, was found guilty and convicted of two counts of capital murder by a jury after 14 minutes of deliberation.

“I was begging for my life. I had no reason to kill my wife,” said Edwards to investigators while being adamant he fired warning shots before shooting the victims, reported The Dallas Express.

On May 3, officers responded to the 7000 block of Monet Lane, Grand Prairie, after receiving a call from the defendant about a shooting in his home. According to prosecutors, Edwards and his wife Portia had been moving into their new home when she called her father and told him her husband was acting crazy. Furthermore, the 46 year-old Portia also told her father, Edwards had hit her, pulled out a gun, and threatened her life.

In panic mode, Portia made another call to Kitchen and reported the same to him. However, her step-son drove to the home to confront the defendant, and a fight ensued. As a result, Edwards fatally shot Kitchen ten times with his Glock pistol before shooting Portia twice in the head. She died on the scene.

An hour later, the defendant called 911 and told the dispatch there had been a shooting in his home. Upon arrival, officers arrested Edwards, who later told investigators he shot both victims in self-defense.

"This case is about family violence, rage and control. When his wife and stepson lay bleeding on the floor, an hour before calling 911, he went out and moved his Lexus and put up the sun screen so his seats didn't get damaged. This was not self-defense as the defendant claims. The evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that he executed Kameion and Portia" said Tarrant County Assistant District Attorneys Robert Huseman, according to WFAA.

This week, Dauphin County Judge William T. Tully sentenced Gregory Greene to consecutive life sentences for the brutal murder of his sister, Meredith Greene, and her partner, Tyler Thames. Greene pleaded guilty but mentally ill to two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, burglary, and several other charges.

On Feb. 9, 2022, state narcotics agents and officers from multiple jurisdictions arrested the defendant after he crashed into a school bus during a high-speed chase. According to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, during the wee hours, Greene stole a Dodge Charger outside the victim’s home in Swatara Township before proceeding to 1345 Liberty Street in the City of Harrisburg, where the PFA barred Greene.

There, the defendant illegally gained entrance while the home occupants were asleep. First, Greene went to the 2nd floor, entered the bedroom of his sister, Brittonie Meredith, and shot her in the face. Then he proceeded down the hall to Meredith Greene’s bedroom and shot her multiple times. However, the victim was able to enter her mother’s room and locked the door behind her. Though Meredith Greene saved her mother, she succumbed to her wounds.

Next, Greene went to the 3rd floor, where he accosted Thames and fatally shot him. Then, the defendant continued down the hall to his nieces’ bedroom and stabbed A.T., 6, and R.T., 8, in the neck. During the commotion, and while still suffering from a gunshot wound to the face, Brittonie Meredith was able to run out the front door and flag down narcotics officers who were serving search warrants across the street. Soon, Greene was spotted getting into the Dodge Charger before fleeing the scene.

Greene was ordered to undergo some mental evaluation, which determined the defendant was mentally ill but not insane at the time he committed the murders.

“There was a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment. The Department of Corrections will take into account though, that this was a guilty but mentally ill sentence in classifying the defendant and deciding where he should serve his sentence, which penitentiary to go to and deciding the treatment should proceed when serving his life term,” said Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo, reported ABC 27.

A.T., R.T., and Brittonie Meredith survived the ordeal.

Greene was sentenced to an additional 21½ to 45 years in prison and ordered to serve the term consecutively.

Last week, a Pasco County judge sentenced Collin Knapp for the murder of his girlfriend, Kathleen Moore, 34. A jury convicted Knapp of first-degree premeditated murder after two hours of deliberation.

"Relieved that after two years it's finally over. It's not all the closure we're looking for, but it's 99 percent of the closure we need. Kathleen was in the courtroom and saw him get life in prison and knows that was all the peace that we were all looking for and knows that we can all finally relax a little knowing that she got the justice she deserves," said the victim’s lifelong friend Nicole Wallen after the verdict, according to WTSP.

In November 2021, her boss, Jaimie Poe, reported Moore missing after she and Knapp were on a night out with friends in Largo. No one heard from the victim again, despite several calls to her cell phone, which went straight to her voicemail. According to prosecutors, Moore’s phone was found in a dumpster near a homeless man in New Port Richey. A week later, her body was found covered in a thick brush 50 yards from the defendant’s home.

Initially, the 32-year-old Knapp told investigators his on-and-off girlfriend took her belongings and left his residence. However, authorities found no evidence corroborating his claim. In addition, due to defendant’s inconsistent statements, officers extended a search to the dumpster at a Port Richey steakhouse where Knapp had put his blood-stained clothing. Eventually, the items were found at a landfill, and Moore’s DNA matched the blood on the clothing.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, though the couple were seen arguing the night she went missing.

A memorial in Moore’s honor is now at Whiskey Wings on Roosevelt Boulevard, where the victim worked. The victim was six weeks away from being certified as a phlebotomist, reported FOX 13.

Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh handed Taylor Schabusiness, 25, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the strangulation murder of Shad Thyrion. After 50 minutes deliberation, Schabusiness was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree intentional homicide, third-degree sexual assault, and mutilating a corpse.

"The offense in this case can't be overstated. In this case, you seem to run out of superlatives in describing what happened. ... This crime offends human decency, it offends human dignity, it offends the human community. It really does," said Walsh during the sentencing hearing, according to Green Bay Press Gazette.

On Feb. 23, 2022, officers responded to a house on Stony Brook Lane in Green Bay after the victim’s mother found her son’s head in a bucket in her basement. According to prosecutors, Schabusiness and 24-year-old Thyrion had been smoking methamphetamine prior to the incident. Then, the duo had sex on the mattress in his mother’s basement before she strangled him to death, decapitated and dismembered him. Next, Schabusiness scattered his remains around the house and in a vehicle. Soon, the defendant was arrested and placed in custody.

Before the trial, authorities ordered Schabusiness to a series of mental evaluations. Though she was later declared competent to stand trial, she pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Schabusiness’ defense team argued the defendant had a history of substance abuse, and her mental issues were exasperated due to the loss of her mother. They argued Schabusiness was a loving parent to her 2-year-old daughter. In addition, several character witnesses testified on Schabusiness’ positive qualities in the hope she would be granted parole, including her father who arrived in court shackled in an orange jumpsuit due to an unrelated criminal case.

On the other hand, prosecutors argued Schabusiness had several opportunities to address her drug use but refused after her arrest in 2020 for driving 80 mph within city limits and cutting off her monitoring bracelets. Furthermore, the defendant told detectives the reason she killed Thyrion was because she liked it, reported WSFA.

The judge agreed and sentenced Schabusiness to an additional 18 years for dismembering and sexually assaulting Thyrion. She was ordered served both sentences consecutively.

In 1981, two forestry workers found Sheehan’s body in Shippool Woods, Cork, and alerted the West Cork police. According to RTE, the 54-year-old victim was found naked on her back and slightly on her side. At the time, an autopsy revealed that the body had been in the woods for at least six days, with bruising to the face and vagina. As a result, the Pathologist, Dr Dermot Coakley, swabbed semen from the deceased and sent it to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Dublin for more examination. There, the sample was well kept and preserved until the breakthrough of advanced DNA technology.

In addition, four days after Sheehan’s body was found, now retired Retired Detective Matthew Thorne had stopped Long in an Opel Kadett car with the registration number OZF 426 at Curraheen Road and lived nearby. Though authorities never disclosed the reason for the stop, the defendant’s car was searched. As a result, fibers and paint materials from the car were collected and compared to the victim’s dress and coat found next to her body. Analysis of the evidence showed Sheehan had been in Long’s vehicle at some point.

Years later, renowned Dr. Jonathan Whitaker, a world expert in the process of extracting DNA profiles, used a process known as Low Copy Number (LCN) to establish a DNA profile.

In 2021, a search warrant was executed by a new cold case unit on Long’s residence. They collected a beanie hat, extracted the defendant’s DNA from it, and compared it to the preserved DNA profile from the semen swabbed from Sheehan’s body. It was a match!

Long had a history of convictions from the age of seventeen, including sexual assault, theft, and larceny.

“Noel Long was a timid enough sort of fellow when he started offending here in Cork, but after his stint in the British army, he was very aggressive and angry any time we ever stopped him. He definitely came back a changed man,” said a retired officer, who was familiar with the defendant from his teenage years, according to The Irish Times.

During the trial, Long’s defense lawyer, Michael Delaney SC, argued prosecutors had not met the burden of murder being committed by his client since the cause of death was never established. Long is appealing the conviction.

Sheehan was married and a mother of three at the time of her death. However, her husband died four years after her demise.

“I know none of this will change what happened to these women and I suspect nothing will permanently erase the trauma they’ve lived with. However, I do hope this arrest and these charges begin to provide the answers and accountability that has been missing for so many years,” said VPD Deputy Chief Const. Fiona Wilson, according to Surrey Now-Leader.

The cases stemmed from July 1, 2009, when a 20-year-old woman was sexually assaulted while walking around Granville Island. Though witnesses intervened in the violent and unprovoked assault, the defendant fled the scene and evaded the police. Four months later, a 25-year-old woman was violently attacked at the West End from behind while attempting to enter her apartment. Again, the suspect fled the scene, and no arrest was made.

Then, on June 12, 2010, another woman was sexually assaulted in Yale Town before authorities launched Project Scrimmage to solve the violent crimes that have gotten the Vancouver community on edge. Investigators of the project believed the same perpetrator committed all three sexual assaults.

Soon, a fourth sexual attack occurred on Christmas Eve of 2010, where investigators collected evidence that linked the other three cold cases to Gorjon.

“It is an intensely personal decision for any victim of violent crime to come forward and share their story with the police. We owe it to those who come forward to do everything we can to support them, to identify the people responsible, and to hold those offenders accountable,” said Wilson, reported Global News.

Though authorities remain silent regarding what type of evidence linked the defendant to the crime, they admitted it was physical evidence.

Riverside County Judge Matthew Perantoni sentenced 25 years old  Alyais Lavante Jahneal Harper to 130 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Rejean Malik Williams Cullors, 22. Harper was found guilty and convicted by a jury of one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.

On Oct. 15, 2018, the defendant and two other accomplices met Cullors and three of his friends along Fifth Street and Beaumont Avenue. According to Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, after an exchange of words between the men, Harper pulled out a handgun and fatally shot the victim three times. Then, the defendant turned his attention to Cullors’ friends and started shooting at them. They immediately took cover at a nearby restaurant and were not injured.

Cullors was rushed to the hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. 

Two days after the incident, Harper was arrested and taken into custody by Riverside County Gang Impact Team (GIT) in Carlsbad.

Authorities believe the motive for the killing was due to the history of bad blood between the two groups.

Harper was also found guilty of  special circumstances of being a gang member to be true, as well as firearms and gang activity enhancements.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford sentenced 31-year-old Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, to ten years in prison without the possibility of parole. Lanez was found guilty and convicted by a jury of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

On July 12, 2020, the defendant and 28-year-old Stallion had been at a party hosted at Kylie Jenner's Hollywood Hills home. According to prosecutors, Lanez had fired gunshots at the back of the hip-hop star’s feet as she walked away from the car the pair had been traveling in. 

"Megan got lucky that night, but her luck shouldn't negate [Lanez's] culpability... her luck is not his luck. This was a heinous act of violence against a defenseless woman and a multi-year campaign of harassment,” stated Prosecutor Edward Welbourn, according to SKY News.

During the trial, Stallion testified how Lanez made a mockery of her trauma, assuming the victim role while he paid bloggers to disseminate false information about the case on social media.

Later, the defendant pleaded for mercy, telling the court he regretted his actions and accepted full responsibility. In addition, family members, including Lanez’s father, Sonstar Peterson, testified about the trauma his son went through after losing his mother at the age of 11.

However, prosecutors argued for the defendant to be sentenced to a harsher sentence of 13 years.

"Tory did not get the sentence that we had certainly hoped for. I think the sentence that was handed down was incredibly harsh. This is another example of someone being punished for their celebrity status and someone being utilized as a -- to send an example, and he's not an example he's a human being. I think it's incredibly unfortunate, and it's something that we plan on appealing," said Lanez’s Defense Lawyer, Jose Baez, reported ABC News.

Lanez rose to prominence after his release of mixtapes in 2009, while Stallion won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2021.

For over three decades, the search for Sposito’s murder has been a mystery and a constant resolve for Yavapai investigators. According to authorities, on the day of the fatal incident, people close to the trail heard the victim’s scream but later found her deceased. At the time, investigators collected evidence found at the scene but had no suspect. Eventually, the case went cold.

However, in April 1990, a sexual assault occurred at the same location along the Prescott’s Thumb Butte Trail. Though authorities were unable to identify a suspect at the time, DNA samples were collected and preserved. Recently, genealogical DNA testing was conducted by investigators that led to a descendant who provided investigators with the name of a potential suspect – Byron Scott Bennett.

Soon, authorities discovered Scott was deceased and had died by suicide in 1994. However, to make sure they had the right suspect, Scotts’ body was exhumed where he was buried in Kentucky to retrieve his DNA, which was a match with the  DNA left on a wrench found a few yards away from Sposito’s body at the crime scene. As a result, investigators finally established Scott as the perpetrator responsible for Sposito’s murder.

At the time of the murder, Bennett was 16 years old and a Prescott High School student. However, Bennett and the victim never knew each other.

Over the years, the case was worked on by six volunteers that a homicide detective supervised due to Yavapai County’s limited resources.

"There's never a time when full-time paid detectives could spend this amount of time working on cases that are so old because the resources are not there — they carry caseloads, they're busy doing things all the time and so really, I can say with absolute certainty we would not be here today if it was not for the dedicated, competent work of our volunteers," said Sheriff David Rhodes, reported azcentral.

Bennett was never charged for the sexual assault in April 1990 and was found not guilty of attempted sexual attack in June 1990. However, he was convicted in Arizona for forgery.

An 18^th Judicial District judge handed Mauricio Alvarado-Vasquez, 31, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Vicky DeDios, 46, and the shooting death of Carlos Ramirez-Rivera. After a four-week trial, Alvarado-Vasquez was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

On Sept. 8, 2019, authorities responded to reports of a burning blue vehicle along Interstate 225. Upon arrival, they found DeDios’ body on the vehicle's floor. Aurora Police determined the victim had been stabbed about 20 times. Later, investigators discovered MS-13 gang members lured her from a bar and rendered her unconscious before taking her to another location where she was fatally stabbed. Then, Alvarado-Vasquez and a co-defendant,  David Tobias-Carbajal, dumped DeDios’ body along the interstate.

Two months after DeDios’s demise, authorities responded to a crash site in Glendale, where they discovered the body of Ramirez-Rivera in a vehicle with multiple gunshots to his upper torso. Later, authorities linked the defendant to the homicide. They established Ramirez-Rivera left a bar around 3 a.m. and was followed.

Two days after Ramirez-Rivera’s demise, investigators also linked Alvaros-Vasquez to a shooting in an apartment block on South Ironton Street where six innocent victims were injured. They discovered the defendant conspired with other co-defendants to kill another rival gang member via social media platforms.

Investigators established the motive for both murders because the victims were considered involved with rival gangs.

"This is one of the most violent and brutal gangs I have come across in my career as a prosecutor. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to the state and federal law enforcement team that dedicated years to bringing these defendants to justice. Their efforts prevented this transnational criminal gang from gaining a foothold in our community," said District Attorney John Kellner, according to CBS News.

Tobias-Carbajal was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A Bartow Superior Court judge sentenced Shannon Vashawn Tapley, 43, to life in prison for the brutal murder of 19-year-old Lance Jay Banister. Tapley pleaded not guilty to malice murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and concealing the death of another.

On March 4, around 9 p.m., the defendant walked into the Bartow County jail and told an officer on duty he wanted to confess to a 2008 cold case murder. Soon, officers searched for the victim’s name in their old database platform, where they found Banister had been reported missing from his residence along Dawns Way, off Glade Road north of Acworth, on March 18, 2008.

The case stemmed from a missing report made by the victim’s mother, who told authorities she had not seen her son since three days prior. A further search of the Georgia Crime Information Center showed the victim was no longer considered a missing person on the platform. Then, investigators found a 2008 obituary of the victim after fishermen found Banister's body three weeks after he was reported missing, close to the Talking Rock Bridge near State Route 136 in Carters Lake in Murray County.

Tapley was arrested a day after his confession.

According to Coosa Valley News, Tapley had intentionally strangled the teenager before stabbing him multiple times and slicing his throat along Pine Log Road near U.S. 411 in the Rydal area.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

A 19th State District Court judge sentenced Marcus Dee Scott, 44, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the strangulation death of his girlfriend Unekeyia (Nikki) Shanta Walker, 29. After 30 minutes of deliberation, a jury found Scott guilty and convicted him of murder.

“Time did not diminish the hard work of those who made sure that the truth of this awful crime was found. It is inspiring to see members of this community recognize so clearly that the choices this defendant made over his life of violence toward women are deserving of the highest possible consequences,” said prosecutors in a statement, according to KWTX.

On Feb. 4, 2016, officers responded to 1917 N. 15th Street, where Walker’s body was found in her car outside her home. Upon their arrival, the victim was found in an unnatural position and stuffed in the driver's seat, looking disheveled. According to prosecutors, family members told investigators Walker had broken off the relationship due to the defendant's violent behavior towards her.

Two days before her death, the victim returned to her home to find Scott sitting on her porch. Soon, the victim returned with her cousin to get the defendant to leave. Next, they drove Scott back to his home before the defendant started sending threatening messages to her.

Suspecting her life was in danger, Walker stayed the night at her cousin’s house but left the next morning to pick up her children. That was the last time the victim was seen alive. During several interviews, Scott told investigators he had “Play-Choked” the victim during a previous altercation. However, he claimed it was in self-defense since Walker was bigger than him. Later, the defendant gave authorities his DNA, which came back two years later as a match for the blood found in the car with Walker’s body.

Scott was arrested soon afterward.

The defendant, who is now blind due to glaucoma, had been awaiting trial since 2018. Initially, he was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial but was cleared after receiving treatment at the Rusk State Hospital.

“The sentence doesn’t matter to him. He will sit in darkness either way,” said McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Will Hix, reported Waco Tribune-Herald.

Scott was sentenced as a habitual offender and would be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.

Old Bailey Court Judge David Aubrey KC sentenced Salieu Seray-Wurie to life in prison for the strangulation death of Darren Ammon, 47. After deliberating for twenty-five minutes, Seray-Wurie was found guilty and convicted by a jury of murder after he admitted committing manslaughter and theft to investigators.

"You were angry and in a rage. I am satisfied you intended to kill him and did so in such a calculating way. The family is broken. You took a father away from his sons and a son away from his mother," said Aubrey during the sentencing phase, reported BBC News.

On Oct. 15, Ammon called the police to help evict the defendant, who was homeless and a Class A drug addict, from his East London home. According to prosecutors, the victim had allowed Seray-Wurie to stay at his home until the day of the incident. Though the defendant left Ammon’s residence, he later returned to retrieve his bank card.

Then, in a rage, the 26-year-old  Salieu Seray-Wurie and strangled the victim to death with a cord, then bound his wrist and knees. Though Ammon pleaded for mercy, the defendant told investigators he did not intend to seriously harm Ammon. Furthermore, investigators retrieved CCTV footage that showed Seray-Wurie leaving the residence with the victim’s TV within 60-90 minutes of the homicide and later pawned it for $12.

Three days later, concerned neighbors raised an alarm before authorities found Ammon’s body in his residence. Authorities believe the motive for the killing stemmed from Seray-Wurie’s desire to fund his drug habit.

"You stole him from us over nothing. We will never see him again, hear him again or get to tell him off, never get to share our lives with him again. I have had to be strong for my family but I am totally broken,” said the victim’s mother, Christine Ammon, during the victim impact statement, according to SKY News.

The defendant apologized to the victim’s family and will be eligible for parole after serving 19 years.

Piute County Judge Marvin Bagley sentenced Francisco Aguilar, 18, to 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Jacqueline “Jacky” Nunez. Though Aguilar was a minor, the defendant was charged as an adult due to the violent nature of the case. Aguilar pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault.

“You have a choice when you go to prison. You can join a gang (and) … you can continue to [commit] crimes. If you do, you’ll never leave. You’ll be there for the rest of your life. Whether you get out after 25 years … whether you get out at all, it’s gonna depend on you,”  said Judge Bagley to the defendant after handing down the sentence, according to KSL-News Radio 102.7FM.

A day prior to Jan. 8, 2023, Nunez’s family became concerned when the victim never came home. As a result, they reached out to a friend to help find her. Soon, Nunez was found with Aguilar in a remote location on Doc Springs Road, about four miles north of Circleville. According to prosecutors, upon the friend's arrival, Nunez dashed towards the vehicle while she screamed for help. Then, the defendant shot the victim in the leg and shattered her femur before attempting to kill the friend by shooting at her car multiple times and shattering the window. Immediately, the friend abandoned Nunez for her safety and drove off, while Aguilar walked up to the victim in the middle of the road and fatally shot her in the head.

"We are currently dead while we walk alive, especially me. There's not one day that goes by where I stop thinking about my princess," said Jacky’s mother, Irma Nunez, as she described the hole left in her heart in Spanish while her daughter translated to the court, reported FOX 13.

The defendant apologized to the family and told the court he was ready to serve whatever sentence the court imposed on him. The motive for the killing remains unclear, and Aguilar refuses to provide one despite being asked by the judge.

The defendant was spared the death penalty since he committed the crime while he was a minor.

Family members described Nunez as a person who enjoyed life and always found the good in people.

Providence Superior Court Justice Richard Raspallo handed Derek Sheppard, 37, a life term in prison for the shooting death of Bernadette Ortiz, 50. Sheppard pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of carrying a pistol without a license.

“Once again, an innocent victim died at the hands of someone who chose to resolve an argument with a gun. The defendant’s two young daughters lost both a friend in the victim, and a father, who will now spend the rest of his life in prison, said Attorney General Neronha, according to the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General.

During the late hours of Feb. 9, 2022, officers responded to the home shared by the couple and the defendant’s two daughters on Harold Street after reports of a shooting. Sheppard, who had just returned from work, got into a heated argument with the victim before she asked him to leave. Instead, the argument escalated. Soon, the defendant shot the 50-year-old Ortiz six times before fleeing the scene in his car.

“Jelissa Sheppard, hearing the commotion, ran into Miss Ortiz’s bedroom, upon entering the bedroom, she saw Miss Ortiz on the floor, bleeding from a cut above her eye, she saw [Sheppard] standing a few feet away, point his gun and fire,” said Prosecutor Jonathan Burke during the sentencing hearing, reported ABC 6.

After police officers discovered the defendant had fled the scene, they used a License Plate Reader (LPR) technology to track Sheppard’s car. They apprehended him in Pooler, Georgia, two days later. There, the defendant also informed officers he was in possession of a 9mm Glock semi-automatic handgun in his car. Later, authorities established the gun was the same murder weapon used to carry out the homicide.

Raspallo sentenced Sheppard to an additional ten years. The defendant was ordered to serve both terms consecutively.

A Chicago judge sentenced Alexander Villa, 36, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis. A jury found Villa guilty four years ago and convicted him of first-degree murder.   

“First and foremost, my condolences go out to the Lewis family, but I’m not the person that did this. I will fight this to the appellate court, I will fight this in the Supreme Court, but I know where I will never have to fight this. That’s in God’s court. He knows I’m innocent,” said Villa to a packed courtroom with family members and police officers, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

In 2011, two men busted into a convenience store in the West Side’s Austin neighborhood where Lewis had taken a second job as a security guard to earn extra cash and save for his upcoming wedding to his longtime fiancée Latrice Tucker. Upon their forceful entrance, the two men exchanged gunshots with the victim until Villa jumped on the counter and fatally shot Lewis multiple times before taking away the officer’s gun.

Months after, a joint operation led by the Chicago Police Department and the FBI yielded more than 100 arrests, including Villa and the Spanish Cobras gang. Two other co-defendants, Edgardo Colon, who was alleged to be the getaway driver, and Tyrone Clay, the second gunman, were arrested.

Though Colon was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 84 years in prison, his case was tossed out in June after an appellate court established his confession was inadmissible. Also, Clay, who had been behind bars for 12 years awaiting trial, also had his confessions inadmissible and released. The court discovered both men confessed under duress after lengthy interrogations and investigators denying them legal representation after multiple requests for a lawyer.

In addition, the three defendants' cell phone data created by the FBI showed their phones were not in the same vicinity of the crime scene. The data used to create the map was lost by the police subsequently. As a result, Villa’s defense team argued via motions for a new trial, a newly assigned judge, and a special prosecutor, but all three motions were denied.

"In this country, you're guilty until proven innocent. His family protested outside the Cook County Courthouse ahead of the sentencing. It's two families. The family of the victim, and our family. It's just a huge loss," said Villa's sister Melissa Villa, reported CBS News.

Tucker never married and died of cancer in June.  

British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Ker handed Ryan Grantham a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of his mother, Barbara Waite, 64. Grantham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after recording a video confessing to the homicide, reported Entertainment.

On March 31, 2020, “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Riverdale actor shot his mother in the back of the head while she played the piano. According to prosecutors, the defendant planned the homicide in detail and recorded a confession showing the slain body of his mother.

The next day, Grantham got directions to the home of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In addition, the 24-year-old actor also loaded his car with several guns, ammunition, a dozen Molotov cocktails, and some camping supplies. Though Grantham intended to kill the prime minister and create mayhem via a mass shooting at a local university campus, he turned himself over to the police instead.

During his interview with investigators, the defendant claimed his motive for the shooting was to spare his mother from witnessing the mass murders he was going to commit. In addition, Grantham was battling an intense clinical depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts and violence.

Prosecutors requested from the judge eighteen years ineligibility of parole. However, Ker noted the actor’s mental health and the family impact statement from his sister compelled for mitigated 14-year eligibility for parole.

The defendant apologized for his actions.

“In the face of something so horrible, saying sorry seems so pointless. But from every fiber of my being, I am sorry,” said Grantham during the sentencing hearing, according to Deadline.

The prison’s psychiatric ward is currently treating Grantham, who has been in custody for over two years.   

On Oct. 14, 1996, Ylva Hagner, 42, a software executive at Ixos in Belmont, was last seen leaving the office. Later, her car was found in San Carlos with the keys still in the ignition and her purse missing. At the time, investigators questioned Pressburger, her boyfriend, who worked as a computer programmer at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View. However, they had no evidence linking Pressburger as a suspect, eventually exhausted all leads, and Hagner’s body was never found.  

Now, FBI officials are using ground-penetrating radar focusing on Pressburger’s backyard to yield new evidentiary materials linking the suspect to the victim.  

Officials are keeping mum about their progress due to the sensitivity of the case.

"Why does it take so much time to find a body? It's too long without knowing what happened to this woman," said Carolina Aburto, a babysitter working close to Pressburger’s residence, according to CBS News.

Hagner was a Swedish immigrant and was also studying for her master's degree at Stanford University at the time of her disappearance.  

It’s been a long wait for the family of Claire “Kay” Holman to get justice for the former hair salon owner and widow. A friend discovered Holman’s body in her Borrego Springs home along the 700 block of Tilting T Drive on March 21, 1994.

An autopsy showed the 72-year-old victim was strangled to death with a cord. At the time, investigators believed the victim knew her attacker due to the lack of a forced entry and the home ransacked. They pursued every possible lead and preserved biological elements at the crime scene for a possible DNA match. Later, the crime lab developed a DNA profile which was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but it yielded no match in the database, according to the Times of San Diego. Hence, the homicide went cold.

However, in March 2021, the cold case unit of the San Diego County Sheriff’s department considered employing DNA genealogy. The technique involves taking an unidentified suspect’s DNA in comparison with the family members who had voluntarily submitted their DNA directly to authorities upon request or in various depositories or databases. Then, in April, investigators used the DNA extracted from a strand of hair collected at the crime scene and identified 51-year-old Jerry Dewayne Robison as the killer.

The suspect lived in Borrego Springs at the time and often worked as a plumber for Holman, reported The San Diego Union-Tribune. However, authorities could not make an arrest because Robinson died in 2007 after losing a battle with cancer.

Both the Holman and Robinson families were informed of the development of the case. The homicide is the sixth cold case solved with DNA genealogy by the sheriff’s department.

A U.S. military judge sentenced former Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Santiago, 33, of the 5th Special Forces to life in federal prison with the potential for parole for the beating death of his wife, Meghan Santiago. Santiago was found guilty and convicted of murder, assault, and bodily injury to their unborn child.

“Megan’s death is a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. This tragic event has shaken our entire unit," said the Commander of the 5th Special Forces Group, Col. Brent Lindeman

On Sep. 27, 2021, authorities found Meghan Santiago with life-threatening blunt force injuries on the base. Soon, the victim was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where doctors tried to save her and performed a C-section on the unborn child. The eight-week-old baby survived, while Meghan Santiago succumbed to her injuries.

The next day, the 5th Special Forces soldier was arrested and booked at the Grayson County Jail.

Family friends described the couple’s marriage as volatile and told authorities Meghan Santiago was intent on leaving the marriage.

The defendant opted to be sentenced by a judge instead of the jury. He received an additional six months for the injury to the unborn child.

On September 9, West Virginia State Police, in collaboration with Kenova Police, had been searching for the whereabouts of David Maynard, 54.

The fugitive had been on the run since Ironton police discovered his stepfather's lifeless body in an Ohio residence. They also found Maynard’s ex-girlfriend tied up in the home.

"They heard a woman screaming for help inside, so they forced their way into the rear door, got inside found the woman. She was tied up in a bedroom there," said Ironton Police Chief Dan Johnson, reported Hindustan Times.

After a long while without sighting the defendant, they called off the search. However, an officer on his way home stopped by a Speedway convenience store in Ceredo when he identified Maynard behind the clerk at the counter.

Immediately, the suspect zeroed in on the trooper and pointed a pistol at him before taking three other people hostage in the store. Soon, a West Virginia Special Response and a hostage negotiation team descended on the scene.

Several hours went by that led to the release of two hostages. Then, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, Maynard requested some blankets to be left at the store entrance. According to Metro News, officers exchanged gunshots with Maynard when the suspect attempted to retrieve the blanket and struck him. The third hostage was not harmed.  

The suspect was rushed to Cabell Huntington Hospital, where he later died.

Recently, a Vista Superior Court judge handed Jose Trinidad Romero 31 years to life in prison for the stabbing death of 50-year-old Procopio Blanco Cervantes. Romero was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and arson.

On Oct. 4, 2020, Escondido Police and Fire Department responded to a burning Waverly Place home. As firefighters fought to extinguish the blaze, they found Cervantes on the kitchen floor with several stab wounds. The victim was rushed to the hospital, later succumbing to his injuries.

Later, investigators found video footage from a surveillance camera that showed the 35-year-old defendant leaving the residence minutes before the home was engulfed in flames.

Romero was arrested a few days after the incident.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, prosecutors alleged during Romero’s arraignment that the motive for the homicide stemmed from a dispute between the two men over a property left behind in the home.

Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Mandel sentenced Dion Bordeaux, 28, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Jeanette Jumping Eagle, 22. Bordeaux was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder.

“Nothing will ever be right for the family, especially with Bordeaux not taking responsibility for his actions,” said Mandel during the sentencing hearing, according to KEVN.

During the wee hours of Jan. 1, 2020, Rapid City police responded to Microtel Inn and Suites after receiving reports of a woman with a gunshot wound to the head. Upon their arrival, officers found the victim, and she was declared dead at the scene. During the investigation, authorities discovered two male individuals were present in the hotel room during the shooting incident. Bordeaux was identified as one of the men who had also been in a relationship with Jumping Eagle.

Initially, authorities established the cause of death as suicide, but after recovering more evidence, they determined the crime scene appeared staged. Later on, investigators determined Bordeaux had shot Jumping Eagle. In addition, family members told authorities the victim would not leave her three children as orphans, especially after Jumping Eagle’s mother had recently passed away.

Authorities arrested Bordeaux while incarcerated for an unrelated charge of aggravated assault.  

"I knew my sister would not do that to herself,” said the victim’s sister Paulina Ghost, as she described how Jumping Eagle loved life and loved her babies, reported People.

The family told authorities Jumping Eagle intended to return to her children’s father, Brent Waters. The victim had met the defendant after Waters and Jumping Eagle broke off their eight-year relationship.

Bordeaux opted not to make a statement but continued to maintain his innocence.

The police described the suspect as Christopher Patrick Haynes, a 30-year-old African American, about six feet tall, with shoulder-length dreadlocks.

On Wednesday, Haynes was arrested in Virginia and extradited to Washington D.C., but claimed he needed medical attention for an old wound. As a result, the suspect was brought to the emergency room.

Authorities are not saying if the suspect is armed, but a shelter-in-place order went into effect on the George Washington University campus starting around 3 p.m. and was later lifted just before 8:30 p.m.

The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department described Haynes as wearing a jumpsuit with a black T-shirt and shorts gray shorts underneath. In addition, authorities said the fugitive still has a handcuff dangling from one of his wrists.

"While the suspect has not been apprehended, he is not believed to be in our area. Please continue to use caution if you move around the Foggy Bottom area," stated the university, according to NBC4 Washington.

Other federal agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, have been mobilized to join the search. The FBI is offering a reward of $10,000 for information that will lead to Haynes’ arrest. The public is warned not to engage the suspect.

Anyone with a tip should call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.  

Tulsa County judge sentenced Israel Trejo to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal death of 22-year-old James “Jimi” Patterson. Trejo pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after his arrest over ten months ago. 

"This was one of the most traumatic ones to deal with. The level of brutality, the unprovoked attack, really the demonic aspect of this entire case, is difficult to get out of your head. I am thankful it is over and justice was served,” said Tulsa County First Assistant District Attorney Erik Grayless, according to News on 6.

In October 2022, officers responded to a Tulsa apartment after receiving reports of a man bludgeoned with an axe. According to prosecutors, Trejo had gone to the apartment to purchase an axe from another man. After holding the axe for a few minutes, the defendant suddenly galvanized his strength and struck an unsuspecting Patterson, who had been sitting on a couch watching television, in the head.

The victim was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries days later. The fatal incident was caught on video.

“The victim basically was just sitting in the house, charging his cell phone, eating an egg roll, and was not even interacting with anybody, was just quietly sitting there.  Basically, just murdered the victim in cold blood for no reason whatsoever,” said Tulsa Police Lt. Brandon Watkins, reported 102.3 KRMG.

During the investigation, it was determined Trejo and Patterson never knew each other, and neither had ever spoken to each other before. Authorities are still reeling from the unprovoked homicide.

Patterson’s family described him as an upcoming rap artist who was getting ready to release his first album. The victim had recently moved from New York to Tulsa.

On September 4, Edgewater Police Department responded to the 2200 block of Gray Street due to reports of an active burglar. Upon arrival, Stefan Heil, 33, was arrested and taken into custody after he was tased in the alleyway.  

According to the police, the defendant was alleged to have gained forceful entry into two separate homes and physically assaulted the homeowners while unclothed. Heil was charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, assault, criminal mischief, harassment, resisting arrest, obstruction of a peace officer, and public indecency.

Due to the nature of the arrest, Heil was transported to the hospital for an immediate psychological evaluation. Investigators suspected the defendant displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance, reported Denver 7.

Heil was booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge, Kellie S. Hill, handed Breyanla Cooper a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the strangulating death of her 19-month-old son. The defendant pleaded guilty to malice murder, aggravated assault, and concealing a death.

"It is unfathomable that a human being could do this to a baby. It is unspeakable that a mother would do this to her own flesh and blood," said Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green, according to FOX 5.

On June 29, 2021, while the Cobb County Fire Department crew was shooting a public safety video at the Chattahoochee River near the Paces Mill Unit boat ramp off Cobb Parkway, they spotted the body of a toddler floating in the river. Soon, media sources buzzed about the discovery, which led to Cooper reaching out to investigators and asking if she could identify the body. The boy was later identified as Faheem Cooper.

During her interview, the defendant claimed her son had been abducted at a hotel in town in exchange for some money she owed the alleged assailant. Then Cooper told authorities she did not report her child missing because she was scared.

Hence, authorities followed up with the hotel and checked all surrounding surveillance video footage. They came up empty! There was no evidence of the toddler being present at the hotel nor a kidnapping of any kind that took place.  

After speaking to the defendant’s mother, who provided authorities with the information of Cooper’s car, they used the GPS to trace her whereabouts on the day the child went missing. Soon, investigators found out the defendant had been at Chattahoochee River three days before Faheem’s body was found from 5:57 p.m. to 8:08 p.m.  

An autopsy showed the toddler died of asphyxiation.

Further evidence on Cooper’s phone showed she searched for foster homes in the area and information about the Chattahoochee River.

“I cannot imagine how painful this has got to be for the family. There’s just nothing the court can say or do to make this any better for anybody,” said Hill during the sentencing phase, reported SK POP.

In the early hours of August 27, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department responded to a 24-hour McDonald’s along U Street and 14th Street Northwest after reports of a stabbing. Later, investigators identified the deceased as 16-year-old Naima Liggon, while another 16-year-old girl was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Prior to the fatal incident, authorities had already initiated plans to establish a D.C. Juvenile Curfew Enforcement Pilot curfew for the youths in the city due to the substantial increase of crimes such as carjackings and robbery carried out by young people in designated focus areas of the city.

The program’s aim and objective is to prohibit minors under 17 from being in any public place or on the premises of any establishment Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Also, on Saturday and Sunday from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

"We want young people to be safe, and we know oftentimes when they're out at 2 and 3, at these times at night and in the morning there's a lack of safety for them and others," said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah, according to ABC 7.

Nevertheless, just hours into the inception of the project on Friday, 19-year-old Mikeya Ferguson and 18-year-old Cle’shai Perry were shot to death along the 1300 block of 7th Street. Another 16-year-old was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

In 1995, the city had another curfew for 16-year-olds and younger, which required officers to take the juveniles to the police station and stay with them until their parents were contacted. However, under the new pilot program, officers are required to hand over juveniles in violation of the curfew to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. As a result, officers can resume patrol during the curfew hours.

D.C. authorities believe this is an improvement despite the violent start of the program.

"The vast majority of our young people are doing the right thing – they are back in school, they are involved in extracurriculars, and in the evenings and at night, they are where they need to be – supervised and safe. But we need that to be true for all of our young people, and if we have kids and teenagers who are not in safe situations, we need to connect with those families. I’ve shared before that when I was young, my father used to tell me: There’s nothing good in the street after 11 o’clock. We want our kids home, we want them safe, and if they’re not – we want families working with us to get their kids the help that they need," stated Washington D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, reported FOX News.

Recently, Manchester Crown Court Judge Justice Gross handed Lucy Letby, 33, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of seven babies in her care at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in Northern England. After 22 days of deliberation, Letby was found guilty and convicted by a jury of murder and the attempted murder of six other babies.

“There was a deep malevolence bordering on sadism in your actions. During the course of this trial you have coldly denied any responsibility for your wrongdoing and sought to attribute some fault to others. You have shown no remorse. There are no mitigating factors,” said Gross to Letby who was absent at her sentencing hearing, according to The Guardian.

Between June 2015 and June 2016, authorities at the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England discovered an increase in baby casualties and were alarmed. Later, investigators found the defendant had been on duty during each fatal incident. It was further established that Letby had killed the babies by injecting air into their intravenous lines, over-feeding some, and poisoning others with insulin. The identity of the babies was kept unanimous and only identified by alphabetical letters.

During the sentencing hearing, the parents of twins Baby E, who died, and Baby F, who was rendered with a learning deficiency due to the insulin attack by Letby, expressed anger and regret for leaving their children with the defendant. The mother who conceived the children through in vitro fertilization (IVF) described how Letby chose the woolen gown in which Baby F was buried.

Upon her arrest and searching her home, investigators found a confessional note written by the defendant stating she killed the children, was an evil person, and was not in a position to care for the children. In addition, authorities found online searches about the parents of the deceased babies on Letby’s computers.   

Though the motive behind the killing remains unclear, Prosecutor Nicholas Johnson KC remained adamant the defendant was playing God and excited seeing doctors rushing to save the babies she had attacked.

“Little did we know you were waiting for us to leave so you could attack the one thing that gave us a reason to carry on in life,” said another mother who lost one of her twins while the other survived a second attack by Letby, reported AP News.

Letby’s option not to appear in court to face the victim’s family caused an uproar among family members. As a result, policymakers and victim advocates have called for changes in the law to force criminals to appear for sentencing.

The defendant is the third woman sentenced to the harshest punishment allowed since the UK abolished the death penalty.

A Jefferson County judge handed Alfreda Fluker a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Kanisha Nicole Fuller, 43. Fluker was found guilty and convicted by a jury of capital murder and attempted murder of her former long-time boyfriend and fellow police officer Mario Theodore White.

“Intentional, cold, calculated, exact. A killer -that’s what she is,” said Jefferson County Assistant District Attorney Eric Hamilton, reported AL.com.

On April 10, 2020, officers responded outside a home on Pearson Avenue in Germania Park, where they found Fuller suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and White who was unharmed. The victim was rushed to UAB Hospital, where she later died.

According to prosecutors, the 41-year-old Fluker discovered Fuller with White, who was off duty in his unmarked police car. In a rage, the defendant fired 15 shots into the vehicle from her department’s issued gun. At first, White claimed unknown assailants carried out the shooting. However, other witnesses contradicted his testimony, who said they heard White arguing with a woman. A few more minutes into the interview, White eventually told investigators Fluker had been the shooter. Fluker was immediately arrested and held without bond at the Jefferson County jail. She was immediately fired.

During the trial, Fluker’s defense attorney Erskine Mathis did not dispute his client shot Fuller but claimed it was not intentional. Then, he told the jurors White and the victim had been in the backseat on top of each other, which infuriated Fluker in the moment of passion. In addition, he said the defendant had been aiming high when she fired the shots.

The jury disagreed!

“I feel God is good all the time. No matter what your title is you just can’t go around killing people. People got family. It feels like I’ve been handed a script in a play. They said here, just take this. This is your life from now on and you have to deal with it. it’s not fair, it’s not fair,” said Fuller’s mother Janice Andrews, according to CBS 42.

Fluker received an additional life sentence for the attempted murder charge. She was ordered to serve both sentences consecutively.

The defendant and White were both part of the Birmingham Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team. Fluker was a 15-year veteran of the department.  

A Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Dean Dankelson sentenced Kenton Cowgill, 38, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the vehicular death of former chairman of the psychology department at Missouri Southern State University Robert McDermid. After a two-day trial, Cowgill was found guilty and convicted of second-degree murder, driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, and drug trafficking.

On July 3, 2021, the Joplin Police Department responded to a parked car on Rex Avenue, where an officer found the defendant sleeping inside the vehicle. Soon, Cowgill sped off, which immediately led to a high-speed chase. At the intersection of Seventh Street and Duquesne Road, the defendant ran a red light that ended in a three-car crash, ultimately killing the 66-year-old McDermid. After the crash, the police found more than 80 grams of methamphetamine under the Lexus the defendant was driving.

During the trial, prosecutors submitted insurmountable police video footage and blood evidence for the jury in connection with the fatal incident.

Cowgill apologized to the victim’s family, and his lawyer, Austin Knobloc, asked the court to grant his client leniency for a chance at being paroled in the future and not sentencing him consecutively for all other convictions.

 However, prosecutors and McDermid’s family told the judge Cowgill was not deserving of such leniency, especially after they had agreed to grant the defendant a pretrial plea bargain, which he refused to accept.

“In his defense throughout this case, he has blamed everyone but himself,” said Prosecutor Theresa Kenney during the sentencing hearing, according to The Joplin Globe.

Dankelson ordered Cowgill to serve additional 22 years in prison for the other charges.

Recently, a Tulare County Superior Court judge handed Rosa Baca, 55, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the beating death of her boyfriend, Jose Magana. Baca was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of inflicting torture and a special allegation she used a deadly weapon.

On Dec. 17, 2018, Porterville Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of South Indiana Street after receiving a 911 regarding an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, the defendant told investigators unknown assailants had assaulted the victim. When pressed for more information, Baca told investigators she had been in a heated argument with Magana the previous night, resulting in him leaving the home. Then, Baca claimed not to see the victim till the next morning after showing up with injuries, without his shoes and shirt.

According to The Poterville Recorder, authorities doubted her story because of several inconsistencies. At the scene, they noticed Magana’s feet were clean despite allegedly walking home with no shoes on and no signs of a struggle or blood on the 38-year-old victim. In addition, Baca claimed she had not left home since the previous night, but investigators discovered her car was warm and driven recently with mud tracks from the vehicle.  

As a result of the insurmountable evidence contrary to her story, she finally admitted to kicking and beating Magana with a hammer. Though the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and placed on life support, he died the next day.  

"At least you are still alive. But he is not. You don't know the pain and sorrow that you cause. That you caused by losing one of the loved ones to our family," said Magana’s relative, Maria Cabral, during the victim’s impact statement, reported ABC 30 Action News.

Baca apologized but continued to maintain her innocence and plans to appeal her conviction.

This month, United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Dominique Brand to two life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 80-year-old Mary Ann Elvington. Brand was found guilty and convicted of kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in a manner constituting murder.

“Dominique Brand’s crimes were senseless, tragic, and irreversible. His conviction and life sentence reflect the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to working with our local, state, and federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable. We hope Ms. Elvington’s loved ones can find healing in knowing that justice has been served,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, according to My Horry News.

On March 28, 2021, Brand forcefully entered Elvington's residence and fired a 12 gauge shotgun into the floor of her hallway. Later that evening, while sitting in the backseat of the victim’s 2012 Buick LaCross, the defendant forced Elvington at gunpoint to drive him across state lines to Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina and back to South Carolina. On their way back, Brand drove the victim to an abandoned Zion Grocery Store in Marion County, where he fatally shot her in the back of the head. The next day, Elvington’s body was found and her car found behind an abandoned clubhouse.

According to investigators, the defendant’s DNA was found on the spent shotgun shells he fired into the victim’s hallway floor, on a slice of frozen pizza eaten by the defendant, a water bottle he drank from, and a jewelry box.   In addition, Brand’s blood and DNA were also found in a stolen church van across from Elvington’s home.

However, due to his previous convictions and sentences, Brand was a known entity to law enforcement. The defendant had been a South Carolina Department of Corrections resident since his youth. In addition, he was paroled in April 2018 after serving one-third of a fifteen-year sentence on a five-count burglary charge.

During the trial, it was revealed that Elvington prayed for Brand in the last moments of her life.

“What keeps us going is our mom’s in heaven, that’s what keeps us going, know where she’s at. That’s what keeps us driving knowing she’s in heaven and she’s better off than us,” said the victim’s son Harold Elvington during the victim impact statement, reported WMBF News. .

Latterly, a 49th State District Court judge sentenced former United States Border Patrol agent Ronald Anthony Burgos Avilés, 33, to two life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal death of Grizelda Hernandez, 28, and 20-month-old Dominick Alexander Hernandez. After seven days of trial and four hours of deliberation, Burgos Avilés was found guilty and convicted by a jury of two counts of capital murder.

On April 9, 2018, police officers responded to a 911 distress call placed by the defendant regarding a homicide. Upon arrival at Father McNaboe Park, authorities discovered the bodies of Hernandez and her baby. In addition, investigators found visible marks of violence on the victims and established Burgos Avilés had been in a relationship with Hernandez. As a result, the defendant was immediately placed in custody.

According to prosecutors, Hernandez had informed the defendant that their son was ill and having difficulties walking. The news of the child’s health status came after she served Burgos Avilés with child support documents. Then, the defendant requested the unsuspecting Hernandez to bring Dominick to the park before she took him to the doctor. 

During the trial, a video and pictures of Dominick’s first and only birthday was shown to the jury. Also, family members testified Burgos Avilés lived with another woman at the time of the incident. The couple also had children together.

 Prosecutors argued for the death penalty during sentencing, but the jury chose a life sentence.

“We believe the case that we had met those requirements, the jury disagreed. They did find him to be a future danger. At the same time, they found there are circumstances or circumstances that life without the possibility of parole was justified. That’s their decision,” said Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz, reported KGNS.

Burgos Avilés was ordered to serve both life sentences consecutively at the Huntsville State Penitentiary.

This month, an Oahu Circuit Court jury found Hailey Dandurand, 26, guilty and convicted her of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and burglary for the brutal death of Telma Boinville. Despite prosecutors’ plea for the jury for the defendant to be sentenced to the harshest punishment of life without the possibility of parole, they unanimously agreed to do otherwise with a chance of parole when she receives her sentence on Nov. 15.

“Please give her a chance, even if it’s 30 years from now, or 40 years from now — she is a human being with morals and values. This is a life sentence. This is the death penalty,” said Dandurand’s mother Sunshine Dandurand as she pleaded with the jury, according to Law & Crime.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Dandurand and her ex-boyfriend Stephen Brown, 29, who was also convicted for the same charges at a separate trial, were equally culpable for the gruesome murder. However, the defendant’s lawyers argued Brown was abusive to her; hence, Dandurand believed she might be killed if she did not follow his orders.

“Although the jurors are instructed not to be swayed by emotion, pity, passion or prejudice, I can’t ignore the fact that mom and grandma gave impassioned testimony on behalf of the defendant and that couldn’t have been lost on the jury,” said Deputy Prosecutor Scott Bell, according to Hawaii News Now.

On Dec. 7, 2017, Dandurand and Brown burglarized a vacation home in Pupukea where 51-year-old Boinville worked as a house cleaner for extra money to support her 8-year-old daughter. During the burglary, the victim stumbled upon the duo before they attacked her violently with a machete, knife, and a mallet. Furthermore, Brown and Dandurand kidnapped and tied up the victim's daughter while taunting her about her mother’s death.

Seven hours later, and through many social media campaigns, the couple was caught and apprehended after they fled the crime scene in Boinville’s truck.

On the other hand, the jury gave the judge the option to sentence Brown to life without the possibility of parole. He awaits his sentencing on Aug. 30.  

Boinville emigrated to the U.S. from Brazil.

The picturesque county of Cape May, a sleepy town where families throng during the summer holidays, got a jolt on Nov. 25, 1991. According to family members, Himebaugh was last seen leaving his home on Sunray Road in the Del Haven neighborhood around 4 p.m.

It was just like any other day when the victim left his home to watch a brush fire nearby and never returned home. At the time, the fire department had set up a detour for motorists while they battled the flames. As a result, heavy traffic ensued in the neighborhood, leading authorities to believe that was the period Himebaugh was abducted.

On May 25, Middle Township Police Department and Cape May prosecutors commissioned Tabtu Corp and its service provider, Terawe, to utilize their AI platform to burst the case wide open.

"I want to thank the Vollee team and Microsoft for partnering with us on this important project. It is important that we use every available resource and the latest technology to help us find Mark. My hope is this pilot program will help us solve Mark's case and be used as a model to help with other cold cases," said Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner, according to CBS News. 

Different eyewitness accounts indicated Himebaugh might have been seen with two unidentified adults in their 30s on that day.  Another account may have seen the victim with an unidentified nine or ten-year-old girl with blonde hair the same evening.

The victim’s mother, Maureen Himebaugh, and family members are hopeful this new development will provide the long-awaited closure in the near future.

New Jersey Supreme Court granted Andre Higgs, 47, a new trial for the shooting death of Latrena May. Higgs had been convicted of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and hindering. The verdict came after an Essex County jury deliberated for an hour and 45 mins before being sentenced by Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler in 2017.

The Supreme Court ruling stated the prosecutor's office erred regarding the evidence produced and its admissibility during the initial trial. According to prosecutors, on May 1, 2015, May had a heated argument with the defendant in front of her East Orange home on the 100 Block of Tremont Avenue. Then, the 27-year-old school teacher flagged down Detective Kemon Lee, then a patrol officer, for help. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer witnessed Higgs shoot the victim before returning fire and striking the defendant in the leg . May was declared dead at the scene, while Higgs was transported to the hospital, reported ABC 7.  

In addition, authorities found a .45-caliber Astra semi-automatic pistol behind bags of rock salt in the home’s hallway. Ballistics matched the gun as the murder weapon.

The ruling held that Higgs’ defense team should have had access to Lee’s internal affairs file with the East Orange Police Department. Secondly,  his lawyers should have been allowed to cross-examine the responding officer about his shooting record while on duty. Lastly, the ruling stated that Wigler erred in allowing Detective Kevin Green to testify based on his opinion that the defendant had a gun in his waistband while watching footage from a dashcam during the trial.

“The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the family of the victim Latrena May are disappointed by today’s decision. However, we respect the ruling of the New Jersey Supreme Court. That being said, there is overwhelming proof of Andre Higgs’ guilt of purposeful and knowing murder as well as other offenses, and we look forward to bringing Mr. Higgs to justice,” stated the prosecutor’s office, according to NJ.com.  

May worked at Pride Academy in East Orange. The couple’s daughter was four years old at the time of the incident.

South Carolina Judge Ferrell Cothran Jr. sentenced Raymond Moody to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping and murder of Brittanee Drexel. Moody pleaded guilty to kidnapping, first-degree sexual misconduct, and murder.

“I was a monster, was a monster then, was a monster when I took Brittanee Drexel’s life. I don’t have the words to express how horrible I feel and I’ve felt ever since that day. I’m very sorry,” said Moody during the sentencing hearing, reported CNN.

On April 25, 2009, the Blue Water Resort on Ocean Boulevard was thrown into chaos after Drexel was reported missing while visiting a friend during spring break. The 17-year-old teen was last seen leaving her hotel room around 8:45 pm wearing a tank top, shorts, and a flip-flop. Her disappearance caught the attention of investigators after the victim’s boyfriend never received any reply from Drexel.  

Before Drexel arrived in Myrtle Beach, her mother had forbidden her to go, but she ignored her mother’s warning and left without informing her.  

Soon, Drexel’s disappearance captured the media's attention, leading to a massive search party for the teen. Though authorities never found her, Drexel’s phone last pinged between the boundary of Charleston and Georgetown County. As a result, authorities believed Drexel had become a victim of human trafficking and was probably held in a stash house against her will.

However, that all changed in May when her body was discovered in Georgetown County. Technology advancements allowed authorities to zero in on the defendant’s truck in the vicinity. The move led investigators to Moody, who confessed to the killing after his girlfriend Angel Vause became a cooperating witness with the FBI. Initially, the defendant was a person of interest after investigators searched Moody’s hotel room.

After his arrest, Moody told investigators he and Vause had picked up Drexel while she was walking alone. Then the couple was invited to a campsite for a party and to smoke some weed. While there, the defendant claimed he made a pass at Drexel after Vause left the scene temporarily. Then, the victim rebuffed his advances before he sexually assaulted and strangled her. Before Vause’s return, Moody hid the victim’s body in the bushes and told his girlfriend, Drexel, had been picked up by her friends.

According to Law and Crime, Moody had served 20 years in prison for a previous conviction of kidnapping and rape of two nine and fourteen-year-old girls in 1983.

In addition, Cothran sentenced Moody to two additional 30 years sentences for the sexual assault charges. He was ordered to serve both consecutively.

This month, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Jose Henry Hernandez-Garcia, a.k.a “Paciente,” 29, to life in federal prison for the brutal and stabbing death of Jacson Pineda-Chicas. After a two-week trial, Hernandez-Garcia was found guilty and convicted of racketeering and murder in aid of racketeering conspiracies, committing murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to destroy and conceal evidence connected to La Mara Salvatrucha, a.k.a. M.S.-!3

On March 8, 2019, the leader of Los Ghettos Criminales Salvatruchas a.k.a “LGCS” or “Ghettos”, an MS-13 clique and co-defendant, Jose Domingo Ordonez-Zometa, a.k.a “Felon,” 33, called a meeting at his home in Landover Hills, Maryland. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss the recent interactions of Pineda-Chicas with law enforcement officers. After false suspicion of the victim being an informant, Ortega-Ayala ordered his death.

According to Inside Nova, Hernandez-Garcia, Ordonez-Zometa, a second co-defendant Jose Rafael Ortega-Ayala, a.k.a “Impaciente,” 30, and other members of the clique fatally stabbed the victim over 100 times before dumping his body and setting it on fire at a secluded location in Stafford County, Virginia. Another member who attempted to defend Pineda-Chicas was assaulted.

The victim’s disfigured body was found off River Road four days later. Though authorities initially struggled to identify the body, a tip helped investigators after they released a photo of a distinctive tattoo on his arm.

On March 6, Ordonez-Zometa was sentenced to life in federal prison, while Ortega-Ayala awaits a mandatory life sentence on September 25, 2023.

“This case is also an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks,” stated U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland in a press release, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The MS-13 gang originated in Los Angeles and has become one of the most violent and notorious gangs in the U.S. They also have deep roots beyond the United States borders, especially in El Salvador.

Recently, Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Steven Boyce sentenced Lori Vallow Daybell, 50, to three life sentences for the murder of her children, Tylee Ryan, 16, Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, and her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. After a weeklong trial, Vallow Daybell was found guilty and convicted by a jury of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and grand theft.

“The most unimaginable type of murder is to have a mother murdering her own children, and that’s exactly what you did,” said Boyce, according to The New York Times.

In November 2019, Rexburg Police Department responded to the couple’s residence for a welfare check after the children’s grandparents reported them missing. Due to the defendant and her husband’s lack of concern for the whereabouts of their children, authorities issued a search warrant for the property. In June 2020, investigators found human remains, later identified as belonging to the victims, on 57-year-old Chad Daybell’s property. The defendant and her husband were subsequently arrested and charged with the murders.  

During the trial, autopsy reports showed Tylee was stabbed before her body was burnt, while JJ was asphyxiated with plastic wrapped and taped around his head.

Due to the fatal instances surrounding the children, authorities exhumed the body of Tammy Daybell for reexamination. Though her demise was initially ruled as a result of natural causes, it was later determined that she died of asphyxiation.

Investigators believe the motive for the shooting was related to extreme religious views and apocalyptic doctrines involving zombies and casting out demons.

During the victim impact statement, JJ’s biological grandmother Kay Woodcock described the defendant as a greedy individual with the need to be the center of attention.

"Lori is undeniably a monster. A monster that has not taken any responsibility or shown an ounce of remorse for her vile actions. She deserves to never again breathe oxygen as a member of a free society,"  said Woodcock reported CBS News.

Vallow Daybell remained resolute, not guilty of murder during the entire trial. She claimed the victims visited her and were happy in the afterlife.  

Boyce described the defendant as unremorseful and ordered her to consecutively serve all three life sentences.

In addition, the defendant is also facing a murder charge of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Chad Daybell is currently awaiting trial on the same charges.  

Ontario Superior Court Judge Cindy MacDonald handed Jodi Wheeler, 58, a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the beating death of her husband, Leo Brunette, 62. Wheeler pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and accepted responsibility for the homicide.

On Sept. 12, 2021, officers responded to a residence on Cherry Street in Chapleau, where Brunette’s body was found in the backyard. An autopsy report showed the victim died as a result of severe trauma caused to his skull by a baseball bat.

Family members described the couple’s relationship as tumultuous and rocky during the sentencing hearing. In addition, Brunette had made an unsuccessful effort to annul the marriage.

The defendant apologized to her former inlaws during the hearing.

“I am deeply sorry for this … I do regret it every day. I too loved Leo and I will continue to love him. And I take full responsibility for taking his life, 100 percent,” said Wheeler to the court, according to  The Daily Press.

Though a second-degree murder charge allows a defendant to be eligible for parole between 10 – 25 years, prosecutors and Wheeler’s defense lawyers settled for the imposition of 12 years. As a result, the defendant will be eligible for parole in ten and half years due to a time credit of 516 days since she was incarcerated.

Nevertheless, Macdonald assured the victim’s family that Wheeler’s eligibility for parole does not guarantee her freedom in 10 years.

"My life is never going to be the same after this horrific crime. The crime and its particular viciousness makes me worry about leaving my home. I feel broken, anxious and depressed ... I can't sleep at night," said Brunette's younger sister Karen Perrault, reported CTV News.

Both the defendant and Brunette had been involved in previous marriages.

A Hendry County judge sentenced Eliceo Hernandez, 23, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Julian Keen. After a three-day trial, Hernandez was found guilty and convicted by a jury of second-degree murder with a firearm and attempted second-degree murder with a firearm.

“No matter what I do or say, I can’t undo what happened on June 14. Mr. Hernandez, you deprived the community of an example, a rising star,” said the judge, according to NBC-2.

On June 14, 2020, Keen, who was off-duty with a friend, heard a crash outside his home and witnessed a Black truck leaving the scene of an accident. Soon, both men jumped in their vehicles, and a car chase soon ensued. The chase continued on Country Road 78 until the defendant turned onto Nobles Road, where the victim’s friend hit Hernndez’s truck twice. As a result, the defendant’s vehicle crashed into a ditch before he fled the scene in a get-away car driven by his girlfriend waiting nearby.

At the same time, Keen had parked his vehicle at the parking lot of a nearby convenience store before running to the crash site. Unbeknown to the victim, Hernandez and his girlfriend had gone around the block and returned to the scene. Then, the defendant got out of the car and shot both men, fatally striking Keen before returning to his girlfriend’s car and fleeing the scene the second time.

The victim’s family described Keen as a loving, caring individual who puts the needs of others ahead of his.

“Even while at home, he could not turn away when he saw a crime happen. This murder was a heinous and cowardly act by the defendant. I hope the sentence of life in prison brings some sense of closure to the family, friends, and fellow law enforcement family of Officer Keen," stated State Attorney Amira Fox, reported Naples Daily News.

Recently, Riverside Superior Court Judge Valerie Navarro handed three life terms in prison without the possibility of parole to Anurag Chandra, 45, for the death of Drake Ruiz, Daniel Hawkins, and Jacob Ivascu. All three victims were 16 years old. Chandra was found guilty and convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.

“The lives of countless families will never be the same because of one man’s anger, callousness and outrageous conduct, and I am grateful to Judge Navarro for imposing the maximum sentence in this case,” stated District Attorney Mike Hestrin, reported KTLA.

On the evening of Jan. 19, 2020, six teenagers at a birthday sleepover decided to dare one of them to play “Ding-Dong Ditch” at a stranger's house. Soon, the boys arrived at the defendant’s home on Modjeska Summit Road and executed the prank before mooning the defendant and fleeing the scene in a 2002 Toyota Prius. Unbeknown to them, Chandra, in a rage, had initiated a pursuit after the teenagers in his 2019 Infinity Q50.

According to prosecutors, the chase reached a top speed of 99 mph before the defendant caught up with the victims at Temescal Canyon Road near Squaw Mountain Road. Then, Chandra rear-ended and sideswiped the teenagers’ vehicle causing the Prius to slam into a tree. Three other teenagers, including the 18-year-old driver, survived the crash.

Instead of calling 911 and reporting the accident, the defendant fled the scene and headed back to his home. However, several individuals who witnessed the mayhem followed the defendant to his home before calling the police.

During the trial, Chandra told the jury he had been extremely upset and intoxicated after the prank and feared for his family's safety. They didn’t buy it!

“Every day we sense the absence of this young man. The hole in our hearts and lives from the taking of our son’s life is staggering,” said one of the victim’s father, Craig Hawkins during the victim impact statement, according to Washington Post.

On the other hand, Chadra’s defense lawyer, David Wohl, argued his client should have been charged with manslaughter, which carries a lesser sentence since the defendant acted impulsively and not intentionally. Hence, Wohl stated his client would be appealing the verdict.

175th District Court Judge Catherine-Torres-Stahl handed Matthew Mireles three life terms in prison for the shooting death of Bexar County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Chucky. Mireles was found guilty and convicted of eight counts of aggravated assault of a public servant, interfering with a police service animal, and evading arrest.

On January 25th, 2019, officers were involved in a high-speed chase after Mireles in Karnes County at speeds upwards of 100 miles per hour. Later, the defendant abandoned his vehicle on Loop 1604 and headed towards a ranch. At first, authorities restrained breaching the ranch since Mireles had fired an earlier shot toward them.

"I kept hearing on the radio that this suspect was alternately pointing the gun at himself, pointing the gun at the chopper, pointing the gun at officers and of course, lasering, what we call lasering, passers-by," said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, reported News4SA.

Then, they sent in Chucky, who grabbed the defendant before he fatally fired on the dog. As a result, officers returned fire, striking Mireles.

According to KSAT, Mireles was a lieutenant in the Mexican Mafia and had two previous convictions. As a result, Torres-Stahl sentenced the defendant to the maximum on all three charges.

The 5-year-old Belgian Malinois was buried with full honors. Mireles will serve all three life terms concurrently.

Last week, Harrison County Circuit Judge Lisa Dodson handed Joseph Rohrbacker, 33, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Hancock County Police Officer Lt. Michael Boutte, Sr. Rohrbacker pleaded guilty to capital murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault of a peace officer.

On Feb. 1, 2021, officers responded to the defendant’s home on Caesar Necaise Road after receiving a 911 distress call about a suicide attempt. Upon arriving at the scene, Boutte was met by a volley of gunfire, striking him in the head and face. Right behind the victim followed Deputy Braxton Manuel, whose patrol vehicle was also hit by a gunshot before returning fire and striking Rohrbacker in the abdomen.

The 57-year-old victim was rushed to a Louisiana hospital, later succumbing to his wounds.

Before the fatal incident, the defendant had displayed erratic and combative behaviors after he claimed a family member had accused him of touching her inappropriately. Then, in a rage, he slit his dog’s throat and threatened suicide, hoping the police would kill him.

According to WLOX, Rohrbacker told the judge he had been off his meds at the time of the incident. In addition, the court ordered the defendant to undergo a series of psychological evaluations. As a result, they determined Rohrbacker was intellectually impaired within the axis of mental retardation. Furthermore, Rohrbacker’s record showed he had been declared legally disabled previously.   

During the sentencing hearing, Rohrbacker apologized for his actions and claimed he did not intend to kill anyone. The judge disagreed!

“This was completely senseless, Mr. Rohrbacker. I know you’re sorry, but you can’t take back what you did. You took the life of a man who was doing nothing to you. He didn’t even get the chance to say a word before you shot him,” said Dodson, reported The Sea Coast Echo.

Dodson sentenced the defendant to additional 20 years for shooting at a woman and 30 years for the assault on Manuel. Rohrbacker was ordered to serve both sentences concurrently with the life sentence.

Henry County Superior Court Judge Pandora E. Palmer sentenced Aljahon Antwan Joyner, 20, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Savannah Fulmer, 18, and her boyfriend, Dahmir Robinson, 19. Joyner pleaded guilty to two counts of malice murder, felony murder, feticide, aggravated assault, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and one count of possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18.

On Nov. 27, 2019, officers responded to the cul-de-sac on the 1700 Block of New Orleans Way in the City Square neighborhood in McDonough. A resident had found the couple’s body in the car with gunshot wounds to their heads. Later, investigators discovered text messages between the defendant, Fulmer, and Robinson in agreement for a drug buy. But, unbeknown to the couple, Joyner had no intention of buying marijuana but to rob them.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Joyner had been sitting in Fulmer’s car when he shot both Robinson and his 18-year-old pregnant girlfriend in the head before fleeing the scene.   As a result, Fulmer’s unborn child also died. Soon, authorities arrested Joyner.

Fulmer was a senior at Eagle’s Landing High School and played softball.

“Savannah was one of the most memorable kids I will ever coach. She always did everything I asked of her, not always with a smile, but always with respect,” said Fulmer’s coach Brittany Lewis, reported WSB-TV.

On the other hand, Robinson was a 2019 graduate of Woodland High School and had been in a relationship with Fulmer for three years.

Palmer sentenced Joyner to additional 25 years in prison for the charge of possession of a firearm by a person underage. At the time of the homicide, the defendant was 17 years old.

Hennepin County District Judge Jay Quam handed Julissa Thaler, 29, a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her 6-year-old son, Eli Hart. Thaler was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and second-degree murder.

In May 2022, officers responded to a 911 call after the defendant was reported driving with a shattered rear window and a busted-out tire. After Thaler was pulled over, officers discovered pieces of flesh and blood on her body. The defendant told the police the flesh was from a deer she had picked up and the blood from a tampon.

After driving her home, authorities later discovered the child’s body next to a shotgun in the trunk of her car. Soon, authorities discovered the defendant had just won full custody of the child ten days prior to the incident from the Dakota County Social Services (DCSS) after the victim’s father, Tory Hart, raised the alarm about Thaler’s drug use and mental health issues. Prosecutors argued Thaler shot her son 9 times while the child sat on a booster chair, according to CBS News.

Thaler’s defense lawyer, Bryan Leary, argued his client did not shoot her son but stipulated she was involved in his death.

The jury didn’t buy it.

During the sentencing hearing, Quam asked the defendant if she had anything to say before he sentenced her.

“I’m innocent. F—k you all. You’re garbage. That is all, your honor. Sorry, I told you what somebody else can’t,” said Thaler after Quam admonished her for her former statement, reported New York Post. 

Family members described Hart as an innocent, kind, and an amazing kid that always had a smile on his face and made friends so easily.

Tory Hart has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against DCSS in a federal court slated for trial in 2024. Meanwhile, families and friends are raising funds to build a playground to honor Hart.

U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker sentenced Byron Booker, 29, to life in federal prison for the stabbing death of a U.S. Army Specialist, Austin J. Hawk, 21. Booker pleaded guilty to premeditated murder. In addition, Baker ordered Booker to pay a $2,500 fine.

On June 18, 2020, authorities found Hawk’s body in his Fort Stewart barracks room. According to prosecutors, Booker was approached by his co-defendant Jordan Brown, 21, to lament his woes. He told Booker he was being kicked out of the Army due to Hawk reporting him to his superiors about his marijuana usage. The report stemmed from Hawk’s obligation to his duties and Army regulations after he was promoted to squad leader, reported FOX5.

Hence, in an effort to silence Hawk, both men decided to break into the victim’s room shortly after midnight before stabbing him forty times and slashing his throat.

“Byron Booker squandered his own military career by illegally using drugs, and then murdered a former fellow soldier in cold blood in retaliation for that soldier honorably performing his duties. The sentence of life in prison with no parole will serve a measure of justice for Austin Hawk’s family, while affirming the outstanding investigative work that led to Booker’s conviction,” said U.S. Attorney Estes, who is also a retired U.S. Army Colonel, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, Brown also pleaded guilty to retaliation against a witness involving bodily injury and assault upon a U.S. servicemember involving bodily injury or a deadly weapon.

He is currently awaiting sentencing.  

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to Project Cold Case, after her shift was over, Salyer had driven home at night as she was accustomed to daily, northbound on I-81 when a bullet pierced her window and fatally struck her. Immediately, Salyer’s car rolled across the highway to the oncoming traffic before coming to a stop.

Authorities were unable to find any more evidence at the scene that could provide clues to identify the victim’s killer. As a result, the case went cold. Later, investigators concluded a serial killer likely carried out the murder after discovering similar modus operandi was used in several other homicides across the country.

“There are some similarities that would almost lead us to a person like a serial killer that just goes around randomly shooting at people in different states, and there’s no rhyme, reason, or pattern. It just happens whenever the mood strikes them,” said the former Bristol Police Chief Tom Stone, reported The Roanoke Times.

A second-generation officer of the Bristol Police Department, Sergeant Steve Crawford, remains committed to solving the crime. At the time of the murder, his father was the Bristol Police Department supervisor.

If anyone has any information that could bring closure to this case, please contact the Bristol Police Department at (276) 645–7400.

U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Darion Daquan Gardner, a.k.a. “Lil man,” to 37 1/2 years in federal prison for the shooting death of a man. Gardner pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, causing death through the use of a firearm, and attempted murder through the use of a firearm, reported Quad-City Times.

On Dec. 16, 2016, Gardner, a member of Savage Life Boys (SLB), robbed a man before pistol-whipping him. Then the defendant and other gang members opened fire on the victim as he and another associate fled the scene. Two months later, Gardner and some of his accomplices got into an altercation at Hotel Davenport with an individual whom they believed disrespected their gang. As a result, Gardner opened fire, leading to a man’s death and injuring another.

Authorities believe the defendant’s violent assault and killing were due to Gardner’s desire to dominate and maintain his position within the gang.

Gardner’s conviction was handed down while the defendant was already serving an 80-month sentence in federal prison for a prior conviction of a felon in possession of a firearm charge.

During the sentencing hearing, Davenport’s defense lawyer, Cory Goldensoph, pleaded with the court for leniency, considering his client’s difficult upbringing. He told the court a single mother raised Davenport, and the defendant often rebelled due to the lack of a male role model. Hence, the defendant’s criminal career started at the age of 11.

Ebinger disagreed and ordered the 27-year-old Gardner to serve the new sentence consecutively to the remainder of his previous sentence.

“We are incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts and dedication and persistence to bring closure for the victims and justice for those responsible in the 2017 homicide and several other shootings. This case is a great example of the incredible partnership the Davenport Police Department has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their commitment to justice for our community and the victims of violent crime,” said Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel, reported Our Quad Cities.com.

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime, and, with this sentence, the defendant will spend a long time behind bars,” said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, reported We Are Greenbay.com.

According to prosecutors, Champion, a member of the “Everything Business” street gang, had lured two women, ages 20 and 16, under a false premise of love and financial protection into prostitution. Furthermore, the defendant employed the usage of physical force, including the possession of a firearm, to facilitate the sale of the victims.

“The evidence in this case – including his own messages and social media posts – demonstrated that Mr. Champion had no problem abusing and dehumanizing others for his own financial benefit. This office is committed to working with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to support and seek justice for trafficking victims like those upon whom this defendant preyed,” stated United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Gregory J. Haanstad, reported U.S. Department of Justice.

During the sentencing hearing, Stadtmueller highlighted the trauma experienced by the victims and the lasting impacts of sex trafficking. He further described the act as a horrible and pernicious activity.

Champion was ordered to serve additional five years of supervised release.

“The pain and fear these defendants caused through their senseless violence has forever altered the lives of the victims, the victims’ families, and the witnesses brave enough to assist investigators.  While the perpetrators of these crimes are now in prison, tragically, the gang culture that promoted these violent acts remains a scourge in our community. At-risk teens remain vulnerable to the lure of gang culture and require our collective diligence to avoid this dangerous path,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A U.S. District Court judge handed Gary Terrell Davis, a.k.a. “Bhody,” 36, seven years in prison for his role in the murder-execution of a 17-year-old witness of a shooting outside of a Brookhaven nightclub. Davis was the final defendant involved in the homicide.

On May 13, 2017, Bartow County Police Department responded to the Brookhaven nightclub after reports of a shooting on the premises. According to prosecutors, the leader of the 135 Pirus street gang, Maurice Antonio Kent, a.k.a. “Savage Duze,” had been involved in an argument with a rival gang member. Soon, Kent fired into a crowd outside the club, critically wounding the rival gang member and a security guard.

Kent fled the scene and tossed the murder weapon before being arrested later. Despite being in custody, the 32-year-old lead defendant found out the teen had been talking to the police and believed the victim had snitched on him. Two days later, members of the gang lured the victim to Bartow County, where he was killed with Kent’s gun.

During Kent’s trial, jurors heard testimonies relating to a drive-by committed by the lead defendant eight months prior to the nightclub shooting. Later, the FBI retrieved the gun used in the drive-by in Lake Allatoona, where Kent tossed it. On Aug. 24, Kent was found guilty of RICO conspiracy, violent crime in aid of racketeering, discharging a firearm during the commission of violent crimes, and possession of a firearm, reported by Reporters Newspapers. He was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Six other individuals were each convicted and sentenced to 10 to 25 years in federal prison.

Davis was sentenced to additional three years of supervised release.

Josh Bowmar, 32, and Sarah Bowmar, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, a U.S. federal law that was enforced in 1900 to prohibit interstate wildlife offenses. According to the Des Moines Register, Josh Bowman hunted deer in three Nebraska counties, while Sarah Bowman hunted deer and turkeys in a baited area between 2015 and 2017 before transporting them across state lines.

Thirty other people were charged with multiple counts, including Hidden Hills owner Jacob Hueftle who hosted 118 clients to utilize illegal bait traps for hunting white-tailed deer.   Though Hueftle was sentenced in 2020 to 30 months in federal prison, the Bowmans promised on their social media platforms to overturn the Lacey Act in defiance during an expected court battle.

However, on Oct. 19, 2022, the defendants pleaded guilty in exchange for prosecutors to drop the initial six-count charges. Under the plea agreement, the Bowmans will each pay a $44,000 forfeiture money judgment. In addition, at the time of their sentencing, the couple will pay $25,000 to the Lacey Act Reward Account.

The Bowmars' attorney Kline Preston argued the act was very easy to break, and when carried across stateliness, it easily became a federal case with huge penalties.

“This is a fight between ethical hunters, the Bowmars, and the federal government which is using the Lacey Act against them. The Lacey Act is an abusive piece of federal legislation that is used to excessively punish hunters for alleged minor infractions which are the equivalent of a speeding ticket under state law. The Lacey Act makes a traffic-like offense into a serious federal case. It is often abused by forcing honest, ethical hunters to plead guilty in order to avoid the risk of excessive fines and substantial jail time,” said Preston prior to the plea deal, reported DDH.

The Bowmars have approximately 1.5 million followers and over 250 subscribers on their YouTube channel. The couple met while participating in an Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition in Columbus, Ohio. Since then, the Bowmars have become renowned as fitness and hunting influencers.

Though sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2023, the judge is not bound by the plea agreement and could impose a harsher sentence.

On Nov. 2, Jebara Igbara, also known as “Jay Mazini,” pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of money laundering. The defendant was known on his Instagram page for his videos showing the Edgewater resident handing out large amounts of cash as gifts to individuals.

However, prosecutors stated Igbara was the perpetrator of a Ponzi scheme who defrauded members of a Muslim-American community in New York of $8 million by promising them a high rate of return for their investments. Others who invested Bitcoins would receive a return at above market rate. In addition, others were promised stock investments, COVID-19-related personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases, and electronics resale.

“All the victims in this case were promised something that was too good to be true.  This multi-million dollar case is a reminder for anyone thinking of investing: Be skeptical of any investments with larger than life promises, because if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

While trying to keep his unsuspecting investors happy, Igbara perpetrated a second scheme by posting on his Instagram and other social platforms to buy their cryptocurrencies from his followers at above market price. Meanwhile, the defendant stole their cryptocurrency by sending a doctored payment confirmation to them, even though there was no payment transaction.

Earlier this year, Igbara also pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges after the defendant abducted his online rival at knifepoint with a machete and beat him. According to Northjersey.com., Igbara had asked the victim to meet to discuss their differences over coffee. Instead, the defendant and two other accomplices stripped him naked after beating him with a cord and threatening his life. Later, Igbara was sentenced to five years.

The defendant faces 20 years in federal prison upon sentencing for the fraud charges.

On Feb. 9, 2014, officers and the fire department responded to a home engulfed in fire off Woodchuck Road near Perryville in Texas. After the blaze was put out, authorities found Cook’s body in the wreckage, while the cause of the fire was determined to be arson.

Later, an autopsy report showed Cook’s death was due to 11 blunt-force traumas to her head and torso, reported Longview News-Journal. In addition, she suffered stab wounds in the ear, the trachea, and the spinal cord. Hence, the victim’s death was ruled a homicide.

According to Cook’s cousin, Stephanie Hollis, the victim had planned to move out of the home she shared with her boyfriend the same day the house was engulfed in fire. However, after investigators interviewed her boyfriend a couple of times, they were unable to place him at the residence at the time of the homicide. With no more evidence and leads to point investigators to the killer, the case became cold, with no arrest ever made.

Erica’s son, who was seven years old at the time of the homicide, has had to endure the agony of not knowing what happened to his mother. Though Hollis adopted him, the victim’s son only knew about his biological mother in his freshman year at high school.

Erica’s family described her as an individual who loved hard and enjoyed stealthily walking up on people.

“You would not hear her, you would not hear a footstep, you would not see her. You would turn this way and there she was,” said Hollis, according to Project Cold Case.

If anyone has any information that would blow this case wide open, please contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office at 903-843-2541 or CrimeStoppers at (800) 396-3391 with the option to remain anonymous.

13-year-old Cinda L. Pallett and her friend, Charlotte Kinsey, 13, wanted to have fun at the Oklahoma State Fair to have some fun. So, on Sept. 26, 1981, both girls went to the fair on their own but never returned home. Family members and officers searched the premises but only found an identity badge along the fair’s midway.

"We all feel that she’s been drugged — hypnotized, something has been done to Charlotte," said Kinsey’s mother Pearla Peterson, according to KOKO News.

Upon further investigation, two young boys told the police a man had approached them, including Pallet and Kinsey, to help him unload stuffed animals from an off-site truck. Soon, authorities zeroed in on Donald Michael Corey, 36, a drifter who worked at the fair the same day the girls went missing due to the boys’ testimonies. Later, Corey was arrested for an unrelated charge and denied any involvement with the teens’ disappearance. In addition, Corey had an air-tight alibi working in Dallas on that fateful day.

"If I hadn't been able to prove I was in Dallas, where would I be? It's hard on a person ... to be in jail for something you didn't do," said Corey, according to The Oklahoman.

Meanwhile, four years passed when authorities zeroed in on another suspect, Royal Russell Long, a Wyoming resident, due to a similar modus operandi after two other girls, ages 15 and 12, were assaulted, with the younger one missing in 1985. He pleaded guilty to abduction and assault and was sentenced to two life sentences. Authorities were able to place Long at the fair the day Pallet and Kinsey went missing.

A year later, Long wrote to the Oklahoman and offered to solve the cold case for a price, but was turned down before his demise due to a heart attack on Sept. 23, 1993.

If anyone has information that could help solve this cold case, please contact the Oklahoma State Police at (405) 231-2121 or the Oklahoma City Police Department at (405) 297-1129.

On Oct. 21, 1999, Shaw’s body was found by a jogger in Detroit’s River Park. An autopsy report showed the victim’s cause of death was due to several gunshots and stab wounds. In addition, the report indicated her body had been moved from another crime scene and later dumped into the river.

The motive for the killing remains unclear, but investigators believe Shaw’s death might be drug-related regarding her living environment with an older man and his daughter, who were likely drug users.

Shaw’s oldest child and daughter, Chasity, also a product of the foster care system, claims the police investigation into her mother’s death was non-existent. Furthermore, the police returned the dirty clothes her mother was found in after the autopsy and has constantly refused to take her call over the years.

Due to the absence of a suspect or an arrest in the case, the family continues to seek justice and find closure.

“I have a lot of good memories of her. She was special to me and I think she would’ve wanted to be remembered as a caring person and a great mother, ” said the victim’s friend David Morgan, according to Project Cold Case.

Chasity is now a mother of two sons and a Houston resident in Texas. 

If anyone has any information that could help solve this case, please contact the Detroit Police Department at (313) 596-1800.

On Jan. 23, 2007, Lamar Murphy had been riding his bike home from a neighborhood store when the 16-year-old was fatally shot several times at the corner of Princeton Street and Smalley Avenue.  Upon the arrival of the police and first responders, Murphy was declared dead at the scene, reported CBS Bay Area.

According to investigators, a Hispanic man in his teens or twenties accosted Murphy while standing next to a Silver Ford Explorer. Soon after the confrontation, Murphy was shot. However, authorities have exhausted every lead over the years, making the case cold.

The motive for the killing remains unclear.

As a result, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $50,000 reward for information that would lead to an arrest of the victim’s killer in October 2022. In addition, Murphy’s family has also offered a $10,000 reward.

"I'm mad because it happened to my only child. I'm mad because we don't know who did it and they haven't found him yet. I'm sad because I don't have him in my life anymore. We want justice. Whoever knows any information, they need to say something," said the victim’s mother Tonya Richards, according to KTVU.

Murphy played with the Hayward Earthquakes in the 2014 Bay Valley Gridiron youth football league as a defensive end. The league later became part of rapper Snoop Dogg’s “Snoop Youth Football League.”

If anyone has information that could help solve this cold case, please contact Detective Pat Smyth at 510-667-7538  or an anonymous tip line at (510)-667-3622.

Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn handed Danielle Bewley, 30, a life term in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of her husband, Mitchell Bewley. After a five-day bench trial, Bewley was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder.

“The decisions you’ve made have left nothing but loss, heartache, and despair,” stated Spahn, according to LancasterOnline.

Around 5:30 pm, on Feb. 14, 2021, Strasburg Police Department responded to a 911 call at the parking lot of a PNC Bank, where they found 27-year-old Mitchell Bewleys body with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. According to investigators, the defendant lured her estranged husband to the parking lot and shot him five times before fleeing the scene.

Then, Bewley’s former boyfriend alerted authorities of the defendant’s intention to commit suicide at her home in East Drumore Township. After a six-hour stand-off, officers were able to place the defendant under arrest.  

During the trial, Bewley’s defense team never disputed their client shot Mitchell Bewley. However, they claimed she acted in self-defense due to her husband’s past abusive behavior and Bewleys’ mental state at the time of the homicide. In a rebuttal, prosecutors argued the defendant never reported any abuse, lured the victim to his death, and bragged to family members and friends that Mitchell Bewley deserved what he got.

“The defendant executed a plan and then executed the victim. She had it all planned out. It was specific premeditation. She was lying in wait for the victim to get there,” said Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson, reported Law and Crime.

However, the victim’s father told Bewleys he had forgiven and still loved her during the victim’s impact statement.

District Judge Carli Kierny handed Patricia Atalig a life sentence in prison with the possibility of parole for the beating death of 4-year-old Marcel Foster, also known as “MJ.” Atalig pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse.

“She took out every ounce of aggression and anger she had on MJ and left him there to die,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Jobe, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.

On Jan. 21, 2022, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a residence near Lake Mead Boulevard and North Walnut Road after they received a distress call about an unresponsive child. Later, an autopsy report showed the boy had suffered multiple skull fractures, bleeding in his brain, a fractured arm, abdominal injuries, and bruising on his neck that suggested the child was strangulated.

Though Atalig initially claimed the boy’s father had abused Foster, she later confessed to hitting the boy’s head on the ground twice and hearing a pop sound. In addition, a witness who was at the residence at the time told investigators Foster had refused to eat his lunch and was disrespectful to the defendant. Soon, he heard Atalig spanking the boy in his room and a noise indicative of something hitting the ground, reported 8NewsNow.com.

During the sentencing hearing, Atalig’s defense lawyer Anna Clark told the court her client had no excuse for the violent act committed but claimed she had been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. Furthermore, Clark described Atalig as a damaged person and stated she was uncomfortable talking about it in court with everybody listening.

Despite Clark’s appeal to the judge, Kierny remained resolute and described the crime as awful.

Atalig will be eligible for parole after serving 12 years in prison.

Bristol County District Judge Renee Dupuis sentenced 18-year-old Heavenly Arroyo to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Ana Vasquez-Rodriguez. Arroyo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

“This case was a tragedy for everyone involved. The defendant brutally murdered the victim, who was only trying to help her move forward with her life,” said District Attorney Thomas Quinn III, according to WPRI.com.

On Oct. 6, 2019, officers responded to the home of Arroyo’s great-uncle after receiving a distress call from the victim’s grandson. Upon arrival, they found the body of Vasquez-Rodriguez in a pool of blood.

According to prosecutors, Arroyo’s great-uncle had taken custody of the defendant at his sister’s request a week prior to the incident. Hence, the couple planned to take the defendant to New York to get legal documents formalizing the custody and visit other family relatives. However, after encountering car problems and the delayed trip, Arroyo suddenly got frustrated and retrieved a pair of scissors before heading into the victim’s room. Then, the defendant stabbed the 68-year-old Vasquez-Rodriguez, who was bedridden from a prior stroke, 70 times. Later, the defendant took a shower, threw her blood-stained clothes in a nearby dumpster, and told the victim’s grandson, Vasquez-Rodriguez was not feeling well.

Initially, Arroyo claimed she saw a masked man fleeing from the home while walking the dog. However, during the follow-up interviews with investigators, the defendant made some spontaneous and incriminating admissions about the homicide.

“My heart goes out to the victim’s family. There is nothing any of them could have done to prevent this terrible incident from occurring,” said Quinn, reported The Herald News.  

At the time of the incident, Arroyo was 15 years old and suffering from mental health issues.

St. Johns County Circuit Judge Lee Smith sentenced Aiden Fucci, 16, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the brutal stabbing death of 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey. Though Fucci, at the time of the homicide, was 14 years old, he was set to be tried as an adult by a jury. Instead, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

“I would submit this case was the most difficult and shocking that this county has dealt with,” said Smith, reported USA Today.

On May 9, 2021, Bailey’s body was found in the woods of St. Johns County in northeastern Florida after her family filed a missing person’s report the same day. During the investigation, witnesses told authorities Fucci told some of his friends he would like to take someone into the woods and killing them after watching them bleed to death. Fucci and Bailey were last seen leaving a friend’s house together and walking together around 1 am, several hours before her body was found. 

“This was not done out of greed, it was not done in retaliation, retribution, or revenge, it was not a crime of passion, it was not a crime that was committed because he felt rejected by her. It was not done in a fit of uncontrollable anger. There was no reason. There was no purpose. It was done for no other reason than to satisfy this defendant’s internal desire to feel what it was like to kill someone,” said Smith during the sentencing hearing, according to CNN.

According to prosecutors, Fucci stabbed the victim 114 times before dumping her body in the woods. An autopsy report showed Bailey had 49 defensive stab wounds on her head, hands, and arms.

On behalf of Fucci’s grandmother, Deborah Spiwak pleaded with the court to have leniency on the defendant while stipulating the defendant needed to be punished for the heinous crime he committed. Then she told the judge, Fucci still had some good in him.

In an emotional courtroom, Bailey’s father, Forrest Bailey, shared how his family was extremely proud of his daughter while she was alive. In addition, he asked for people to remain kind to the defendant's family and thanked the judge and prosecutors for the sentence handed down.

Due to Fucci being a juvenile when he committed the crime, he was not subject to an automatic life sentence. However, he will serve a minimum of 40 years in prison before being considered for parole under Florida’s  law.

Lowell Superior Court Justice Patrick Haagan handed Hongyan Sun, 49, a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the beating death of his wife, Shen Cai. A jury convicted Sun of first-degree murder, according to Boston.com.

On May 29, Lexington police officers responded to a street close to the couple’s home after Cai’s body was found in her car. Later, an autopsy report showed that the victim died of mechanical asphyxiation, and she had suffered several injuries as a result of a physical altercation.

Soon, investigators discovered the 49-year-old Cai and her husband had been in a divorce proceeding when the altercation happened a day before the body was found. Later, Sun admitted to the altercation, in addition to several injuries found on his body? They were consistent with the injuries on his wife.

During the investigation, Cai’s friend told authorities the victim had told her,” if she was ever found dead, it would be a homicide and not by suicide,” reported CBS News. In addition, surveillance footage and phone records showed Sun had moved the body and staged the scene where Cai’s body was found.

After 15 search warrants, Sun was later arrested.  

Cai is survived by a daughter.

St. Landry Parish judge handed JaMarcus McLendon, son of former Opelousas Police Department Chief Martin McLendon, two life sentences with no possibility of parole for the shooting death of Nakia Ramer, 19, and Shawn Parish, 21. A jury found McLendon guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.

According to The Acadiana Advocate, during the early morning of Sept. 24, 2016, the defendant ambushed the two men and fatally shot them. Officers found their bodies in a rural St. Landry Parish road, riddled with bullets with several gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, an autopsy report later showed the victims were shot with an AK-47 rifle.
During the trial, prosecutors submitted some evidence to the court, which included cell phone content and cell record mapping, and several witnesses.

The motive for the double homicide remains unclear.

"Yes it was very hard, and just seeing him all this time that really really drives everyday and just to wonder what really happened and, how he just sat there like it was ok like nothing bothering him or anything and the way you've done them you were wrong," said Ramar’s mother, Lisa Colla,” reported KATC.

McLendon’s father had recently lost a re-election bid for a second term as the police chief in 2022. The defendant will serve both life sentences consecutively.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Young handed Monica G. Justice a 40-year term in prison for the shooting of two Franklin County Deputies, Marcus Penwell, and Gary Bourquin.

After almost two hours of deliberation, Justice was found guilty and convicted by a jury of four counts of felonious assault and two counts of having a weapon as a convicted felon.

On July 21, 2020, deputies attempted to serve Justice with an order by the probate court for her mental evaluation and eviction after her landlord failed to evict her from the residence on Beulah Road. Upon their arrival, the defendant fired gunshots toward the officers hitting Penwell and Bourquin. Soon, a six-hour standoff ensued until a SWAT team took Justice into custody, according to FOX 28.

During the two-week trial, Justice told the court she did not know the men who approached her home were deputies but thought she was defending herself.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Justice was previously convicted of an assault on a Columbia police officer who tried to arrest her for a traffic ticket. At the time, Justice claimed to be a sovereign citizen who did not recognize the court’s authority and jurisdiction over her case. In addition, she told the court her name was Lotus Justice.

Justice was remanded to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to serve her sentence. Upon further behavioral issues in prison, the department can extend her sentence for another five years.

A Brazoria County judge sentenced Rodolfo Pena, 68, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after the shooting death of Osvaldo del Villar, 29. After seven hours of jury deliberation, Pena was convicted of murder and evading arrest.

On Feb. 2, 2021, officers responded to the 100 block of Blue Jay Drive in Richwood, where they found del Villar with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to St. Luke’s Health Brazosport Hospital in Lake Jackson, where he succumbed to his death. According to prosecutors, the victim and Pena had been in a heated argument during a family get-together to celebrate the victim’s brother, James del Villar's 27th birthday. The altercation started after the defendant disparaged his mother and sister. The friction between the duo had culminated from a series of previous provoking acts by Pena, who also sent inappropriate texts to the victim’s wife.  

After the two men were separated briefly, the defendant retrieved a handgun from the backroom and shot del Villar. During the trial, prosecutors brought Pena’s 14-year-old son to testify on the stand and introduced two previous drug convictions in the 80s for the jury.    

On the other hand, Pena’s lawyer asked the court for leniency and argued the incident was a crime of passion and the defendant’s drug convictions in the past were irrelevant to the case. In addition, the defendant’s sister, Estella Trevino, told the court the incident was a judgment in error by her brother and that they should consider his age.

“He did not do it intentionally. The family hurts for him and Jennifer. There’s all kinds of emotions. He’s very remorseful. He doesn’t show emotions, but I’ve seen him very vulnerable,” said Trevino, reported The Facts.

The jury disagreed!

Pena was sentenced to additional 25 years for the evading arrest charge.