Cassia Renee DuVal, a 29-year-old pregnant woman from Goldsboro, NC, was found dead in her crashed car on January 29, 2020. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. DuVal, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was discovered near the intersection of Pikeville-Princeton and Nahunta roads in Buck Swamp. Preliminary findings from the Chief Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that DuVal died from a gunshot wound.
Tragically, her unborn child did not survive the incident.
DuVal was a manager at the Waffle House off North Berkeley Boulevard in Goldsboro, where she was affectionately known as Renee or Nana. She was described as energetic, outgoing, and passionate about her work and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Her family and friends were devastated by the loss, and a memorial was set up at the Waffle House in her honor.
James Isaac Jones Jr., a 33-year-old man from Pikeville, was arrested on February 13, 2020, in connection with DuVal's death. Jones, who lived with DuVal at the time, was charged with first-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, and felony conspiracy to commit murder. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office also charged Ajelet Sahar Ticante Landero, a 25-year-old woman from Ayden, with first-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, and felony conspiracy to commit murder. Both suspects were held in custody without bond.
DuVal's father, David DuVal, who works in law enforcement in Virginia, expressed his grief and disbelief over the loss of his daughter and granddaughter. He described the situation as a nightmare and found it difficult to comprehend that someone could harm his daughter and her unborn child. The community in Goldsboro was also deeply affected by the tragedy, with many expressing their sorrow and remembering DuVal as a kind and hardworking individual who treated everyone like family.
The investigation into DuVal's death revealed that she and Jones had been in a relationship for at least eight years. Friends and family members were not surprised by Jones's arrest, as it is often the case that the perpetrator is someone known to the victim. DuVal and her unborn child, who was to be named Aspen, were laid to rest in Virginia, where most of her family resides. A memorial service was also held at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Goldsboro gym, where DuVal was a regular.
The case garnered significant attention, and a GoFundMe page was set up to help cover the funeral expenses for DuVal and her unborn child. The page described DuVal as an amazing person who had a positive impact on everyone she met. The community continued to mourn her loss and remember her as a bright light in their lives.
