James Dewey Matthews, 42, of Crestview, Florida, was shot and killed at a residence on East Walnut Avenue on August 21, 2021. Family remembered Matthews, known as Dewey, as a devoted family man who was especially close to his grandchildren Laila and Jaxon.

The man accused in the killing is 37-year-old Johnny Lee Akins Jr., also of Crestview. Akins is alleged to have shot Matthews, transported the body by vehicle to Escambia County, and that vehicle was later found partially on fire near a gas station. Akins was taken into custody by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, extradited to Okaloosa County, and held without bond on charges of murder and destroying evidence.

Reports state Akins had sought mental health treatment at a Pensacola hospital in the days before the killing; his wife, Leticia Akins, said he had been having severe manic episodes and had been released while on a waiting list for further care. His known history includes mental health issues and a criminal record with drug-related charges dating to 2012.

Did anyone in Crestview know Matthews or have information about his last hours at the East Walnut Avenue residence?