Ami Hickey, a 39-year-old woman from Jacksonville, Texas, tragically lost her life on July 20, 2021, in a quadruple homicide in New Summerfield, Texas. The incident occurred at a property north of New Summerfield, where Hickey, along with three other victims—Jeff Gerla , John Clinton , and Amanda Bain —was found dead. The suspects, Jesse Pawlowski , Billy Phillips , and Dylan Welch , were arrested and charged with capital murder.
The motive behind the killings was believed to be robbery, as the suspects attempted to steal a handgun from the victims.
The investigation revealed that Pawlowski, Phillips, and Welch planned to steal the handgun Clinton wanted to sell. On the night of the incident, Pawlowski met with the other suspects at Gerla's residence, where Clinton, Bain, and Hickey were present. The suspects took the gun from Clinton and subsequently shot him in the back of the head. They then entered the home and shot the remaining victims, Bain and Hickey, multiple times in the head and torso, while Gerla was shot once in the ear while in bed.
The suspects were taken into custody shortly after the crime, and a grand jury indicted them on capital murder charges. They have been held in the Cherokee County Jail since July 22, 2021, each with a $1 million bond. The case is ongoing, and the suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This tragic event has deeply affected the community, and the families and friends of the victims continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
