Kadijah Zhane Lenzy, a 20-year-old African American woman from Kinston, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on September 17, 2015. She was found with a gunshot wound on Dixon Street and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred just after 3 a.m., and the police responded promptly to the report of a person shot. Kadijah's death was a result of a domestic violence incident involving her boyfriend, Zavier Miguel Teach, who was 21 years old at the time.
Teach was arrested at the scene and charged with an open count of murder. He was placed in the Lenoir County Jail without bond.
The investigation into Kadijah's death revealed that there was no prior criminal history of domestic violence between the couple. However, the community was deeply affected by the incident, with neighbors expressing concerns about their safety and the increasing crime in the area. Edna Bright, a long-time resident of the neighborhood, mentioned that she felt the need to relocate due to the rising crime rates and the tragic event that took place so close to her home.
In addition to Zavier Miguel Teach, another individual, 19-year-old Raekwon Bishop Cole, was also implicated in the case. Cole was arrested during a traffic stop and faced charges for Accessory After the Fact of Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. The police believed that Cole's involvement in the case was significant, and his arrest added another layer to the investigation.
The legal proceedings related to Kadijah's murder continued for several years. On February 13, 2018, Zavier Miguel Teach entered a guilty plea to Second Degree Murder in Lenoir County Superior Court. He was sentenced to 168 to 214 months of confinement in the North Carolina Department of Corrections. This resolution brought some closure to the case, but the impact of Kadijah's death on her family and community remained profound. The tragic loss of a young life due to domestic violence highlighted the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to address such issues in the community.
