Meredith Ruth Dickson, a 24-year-old woman from Hollywood, California, was tragically found dead in her apartment on October 19, 2016. Born on November 13, 1991, in New Jersey, Meredith spent much of her life overseas before returning to the United States. She graduated with honors from TASIS, a school outside London, and later earned a BA in Media Arts & Design from James Madison University in Virginia.
Meredith was building a promising career in visual data production when her life was abruptly ended by domestic gun violence.
The discovery of Meredith's body came after a neighbor noticed an unusual number of flies inside her second-story apartment and reported it to the building manager, who then contacted the police. Upon entering the apartment, police found Meredith and her boyfriend, a 25-year-old man, both deceased on the bed. Meredith had been shot to death, and her boyfriend had a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The police concluded that the boyfriend had shot Meredith before taking his own life. The couple had been dead for several weeks before they were discovered.
Meredith's death was ruled a homicide, and the investigation revealed that she and her boyfriend were college sweethearts who had moved to Los Angeles about three years prior. Meredith worked at an office job, while her boyfriend was unemployed. The tragic incident highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within relationships.
The case did not lead to any further arrests or litigations, as the primary suspect, Meredith's boyfriend, was also deceased. The investigation concluded with the determination that it was a murder-suicide, and no additional suspects were involved. The community mourned the loss of a young woman whose life was full of potential and promise, cut short by a senseless act of violence.
