Terrence Hanes, a 29-year-old resident of Carmichael, California, was tragically found dead in his home on July 4, 2022. The Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified Hanes, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The discovery was made after a friend visited his home on El Vita Way and found him deceased. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and initiated a homicide investigation.
Initial reports indicated that there was no immediate information available regarding potential suspects.
The investigation into Hanes' death revealed that the incident stemmed from a social media argument between Hanes and Elijah Utsey on July 1, 2022. Following the argument, Utsey posted a threatening message on his Instagram account. On the day of the murder, Utsey, along with Joshua Berry, traveled from Oakland to Hanes' home in Berry's red Mitsubishi. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle arriving at the scene and two individuals approaching Hanes' residence. Shortly thereafter, multiple gunshots were heard, and the two individuals were seen fleeing the area.
The investigation uncovered that Hanes had been shot more than ten times, with 17 shell casings found at the scene, indicating the use of two different firearms. Despite extensive efforts, the weapons used in the crime were never recovered. Both Utsey and Berry attempted to cover their tracks by switching guns, phones, and cell phone numbers following the murder. Berry also ceased driving his red Mitsubishi to avoid detection.
In August 2023, Elijah Utsey and Joshua Berry were convicted of first-degree murder by a jury. The jury also found that both defendants had personally discharged firearms, causing Hanes' death. Utsey, who had a prior conviction for first-degree burglary, faced a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in prison, while Berry faced up to 50 years to life. Their sentencing was scheduled for October 2023. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of online conflicts escalating into real-world violence and underscored the importance of thorough investigative work in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
