Tinikia Hodges, a 48-year-old African American woman, was found fatally shot in her Conover, North Carolina home on May 5, 2022. Her mother, Diane Bender, discovered her body after Tinikia failed to show up for work. The Conover Police Department responded to the scene and determined that Tinikia had died from gunshot wounds. The investigation quickly identified her husband, Donald Ray Hodges, as the primary suspect. Donald Hodges, also known as Tyrone Evans and Unique Hodges, was last seen in a Charlotte hotel on the morning of the murder, where he appeared to be under the influence of hallucinogenic narcotics and was vandalizing the lobby area. He was taken to a local hospital but left before receiving any treatment.
The Conover Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Donald Hodges on May 10, 2022, charging him with first-degree murder. Despite a nationwide manhunt and a reward of up to $10,000 offered by the U.S. Marshals Service, Hodges has managed to evade capture. Authorities believe he may be using dating apps to meet and move in with men and women, using them to obtain money and avoid capture. Hodges has a lengthy criminal history, including robbery, assault, and weapons charges. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Tinikia's family has been actively seeking justice for her murder. They have held vigils and raised additional reward money in hopes of encouraging someone to come forward with information about Donald Hodges' whereabouts. The family believes that Hodges is still alive and possibly receiving help from others to evade law enforcement. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or local law enforcement agencies to help bring closure to Tinikia's family and ensure the safety of the community.
