Zhytila Honey Wilkins, a 20-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on January 11, 2019, in Durham, North Carolina. On that fateful day, Zhytila and her 10-month-old daughter, Ruia Leomi Reams, were at their home alone. Zhytila called 911 just before 10 a.m., reporting that she had been shot. A gunshot was heard on the call before it disconnected.
When dispatchers called back, a man later identified as Ramir Reams answered the phone and told dispatchers that everyone was fine, though Zhytila could be heard crying in the background. Officers were dispatched to the scene at 3619 Suffolk Street, where they found Zhytila and her daughter dead inside. Ramir Reams was also found with serious injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the mouth.
Ramir Reams, 27, who had been in a romantic relationship with Zhytila for about five years and had recently broken up with her, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Evidence presented in court revealed that Zhytila's cell phone contained hundreds of recent text messages from Reams, including threats and a photo of the handgun found in the home. The handgun, which had been fired six times, was determined to be the murder weapon. Reams pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for each murder, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Lamar Proctor and Kendra Montgomery-Blinn, along with District Attorney Satana Deberry. The state did not make a plea offer and was prepared to go to trial on September 11, 2023, until Reams agreed to plead guilty as charged. Superior Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart presided over the case. The Durham Police Department and the family of Zhytila and Ruia played crucial roles in obtaining the convictions. The resolution of the case allowed for a just outcome without requiring the family to relive the worst moments of their lives through a re-traumatizing trial.
Zhytila Honey Wilkins' death was a result of a disturbing domestic violence incident that deeply affected the Durham community. The tragic loss of Zhytila and her daughter serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing and preventing such incidents in our society.
