Carliena Clayton, a 23-year-old mother from Sacramento, California, tragically lost her life on July 27, 2020. The incident occurred while she was driving on River Road with her four children in the car. According to reports, Carliena was shot in the head by her domestic partner, Mandiko Kwadzo, while driving. The vehicle subsequently crashed into the Sacramento River, leaving Carliena dead at the scene.
Her children, aged between two and six, were rescued from the submerged car by a passerby who witnessed the crash and acted quickly to save them.
The investigation revealed that Carliena and Mandiko had been involved in a heated argument earlier that evening. Witnesses reported seeing them fighting in their driveway before Carliena drove off with her children. Mandiko entered the car as a passenger, and shortly after, a gunshot was heard near a local marina, followed by the sound of the car crashing into the river. When authorities arrived, they found Carliena unresponsive in the driver's seat, having been shot twice in the head. Her children were in the backseat, with the oldest child bravely helping to unbuckle his younger siblings from their seatbelts.
Mandiko Kwadzo was arrested at the scene and later charged with first-degree murder, using a firearm in the commission of the murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. During the trial, it was revealed that Mandiko had a history of domestic violence. The jury found him guilty of all charges, and he was sentenced to 53 years to life in prison. The case highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence and the bravery of Carliena's young son, whose testimony was crucial in securing the conviction.
The tragic death of Carliena Clayton left her children without their mother and brought attention to the issue of domestic violence. Friends and family described Carliena as a dedicated mother who was deeply loved by her children. A GoFundMe page was set up to support her children, who now face a future without their parents. The community rallied around the family, offering support and raising awareness about the dangers of domestic violence.
