A welfare check on the evening of April 30, 2023, in the Center Point area led deputies to an apartment on 20th Avenue N.E., where 40-year-old Erica Shontea Williams was found unresponsive and pronounced dead. Her death was determined to be from a stabbing. Her family described her as a beloved member of the community; her 41st birthday would have been on August 9th.

In the days after the discovery, investigators developed a person of interest and eventually obtained a murder warrant for 50-year-old Cortrell Montesez Burks. Authorities described Burks as about 6 feet 2 inches tall and 250 pounds and said he may drive a black 2005 Nissan Armada.

If anyone has information about Erica, her movements on April 30, 2023, or sightings of the described vehicle, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.