In the early morning hours of April 6, 2016, a fire was reported at a home in the 6100 block of Eaton in Berkeley, Missouri. Inside the burning residence, first responders made a grim discovery. The bodies of 26-year-old Cierra Owens, a Black female, and 60-year-old Gerry Denise Smith were found in separate rooms. It was soon determined that their deaths were not caused by the fire; both women had been shot to death before the blaze was intentionally set.
The home where the two women
were found was shared with Gerry Smith's son, who was also Cierra Owens' boyfriend. In the aftermath of the discovery, it was noted that Cierra's car, a distinctive 2015 orange Chevrolet Camaro, was missing from the property. The vehicle was later located by authorities in the city of St. Louis. The investigation into the double homicide and arson has been ongoing since that tragic day, but has yielded few public developments.
To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Cierra Owens and Gerry Denise Smith, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. The case has grown cold over the years, leaving a lingering sense of loss and unanswered questions for their families and the community. Cierra's mother has been a vocal advocate for justice for her daughter, periodically speaking out and holding vigils in the hope that new information will come to light. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered by CrimeStoppers for any information that leads to a felony arrest in the case, as the search for those responsible continues.
