In the winter of 2022, the life of a 31-year-old Black woman, Starlena Sullivan, was tragically cut short in Nashville, Tennessee. A mother of three, she had faced significant challenges in her life, including surviving brain surgery and enduring domestic abuse. At the time of her death, she wore a purple domestic violence awareness month bracelet, a somber testament to her struggles.
On December 22, 2022, a person walking their dog made a grim discovery in a creek in North Nashville.
The body found was that of Starlena Sullivan. An examination conducted at the Forensic Science Center would later reveal that she had been fatally shot. Her death, which occurred on December 21, prompted an investigation by the Metro Nashville Police Department as they began the search for who was responsible for this violent act.
The investigation soon focused on a person of interest, Starlena's 49-year-old boyfriend, Andra Christman. Initially, authorities were unable to locate him for questioning. The search for Christman extended beyond Tennessee, and in February 2023, a breakthrough came. Information from a citizen in Joliet, Illinois, led authorities to his whereabouts. He was taken into custody in Illinois on a probation violation related to a prior felony gun conviction.
While in custody, a murder warrant was issued for Andra Christman, charging him with the fatal shooting of Starlena Sullivan. Nashville Homicide detectives traveled to Illinois to interview him, but he declined to speak about her death. Nevertheless, information provided by another individual in Illinois gave investigators what they needed to secure the murder warrant. Christman is currently being held without bond in Illinois, awaiting extradition to Nashville to face the charges brought against him.
