Shakia Hedgespeth was 14 when she was killed in the spring of 1992, one of five victims whose bodies were found between April 10 and April 11 in Essex County, New Jersey. Her death was part of a series of violent crimes that targeted women and girls in the area and intensified a countywide investigation.

Police arrested Jerome Dennis on April 13, 1992. Dennis, who was on parole at the time for a prior rape conviction, was linked to the kidnappings and murders of Shakia and four adult women. On February 27, 1993, he pleaded guilty to 13 charges, including five counts of murder for Shakia and the other victims, plus aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, armed robbery, criminal restraint, and a parole violation. In exchange for the plea he avoided the death penalty and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 60 years before parole eligibility.