Shontina Williams

Shontina Nakeisha Williams was a 37-year-old African-American woman from Durham, North Carolina. Known and loved by her family and friends, her life was cut short in a sudden act of violence that left a community searching for answers. Her death is one of a number of unsolved homicides in Durham that police continue to investigate, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring justice for Shontina and peace to her loved ones.

The morning of Wednesday, May 7, 2014, began like any other in the South Durham area. But around 6:30 a.m., a person walking along the Rocky Creek Trail made a devastating discovery. Near the trail's entrance off Elmira Avenue, they found a woman's body and immediately called 911. Durham Police Department officers responded to the scene, a quiet, less-than-a-mile-long trail that runs south of Fayetteville Street and connects to the American Tobacco Trail. The area was cordoned off as investigators began the painstaking work of processing the scene.

The victim was soon identified as Shontina Williams. Initially, the cause of her death was not publicly released as detectives worked to piece together her final hours. More than two months later, in July 2014, an autopsy report provided a grim answer. The medical examiner determined that Shontina had died from a single gunshot wound to her neck. The bullet had severed major arteries and her spinal cord before exiting her back. According to the report, investigators were never able to locate the bullet or any fragments at the scene, adding another layer of difficulty to the investigation.

The Durham Police Department launched a homicide investigation, seeking to understand what happened to Shontina. They publicly requested that anyone who had seen her on Tuesday, May 6, or in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 7, come forward with information. Investigators were eager to create a timeline of her last movements, hoping it would lead them to a suspect. The case was assigned to Investigator A. Cristaldi, who urged the public to share any detail, no matter how small it might seem.

Despite the appeals for information and the efforts of law enforcement, no arrests have ever been made in connection with Shontina's murder. The case has grown cold over the years, a painful reality for her family and all who knew her. Her death remains an open wound in the community, a reminder of a life taken too soon and a killer who has never been held accountable for their actions.

The investigation into the murder of Shontina Williams remains open with the Durham Police Department. As of May 2014, her case is considered a cold case, but investigators have not given up hope. They continue to seek the one crucial tip that could break the case open and finally provide answers.

Authorities have emphasized that even anonymous information can be valuable. CrimeStoppers offers cash rewards for tips that lead to arrests in felony cases, and callers are never required to give their names. Anyone with information about the death of Shontina Nakeisha Williams is asked to call the Durham Police Department or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200.