A Quiet Community Shattered

On October 24, 2011, the residents of Veda Street in Tallahassee, Florida, awoke to a harrowing scene that would forever alter their sense of security. The home of Jermaine Wendell Siplin, 31, and his wife, Yamada Sheree Bell Siplin, 30, had become the site of a brutal double homicide. The couple was discovered shot to death in their bedroom, victims of an apparent home invasion that also left a juvenile seriously injured. The front door had been forcibly kicked in, indicating a violent intrusion during the early morning hours.

The Lives Behind the Headlines

Jermaine, a Tallahassee native and alumnus of Rickards High School, was known for his mechanical skills and was affectionately referred to as an all-around "Mr. Fixit." Yamada, who went by Sheree, was a dedicated mother and a full-time student at Tallahassee Community College. She was recognized for her outspoken nature and deep compassion for her family and friends. Together, they were raising four children: Kiy-airra Smith, Jemarica Siplin, Dewight English, and Deja English. ...Read More