Patra Perkins, an 18-year-old African American woman, was found shot to death in a northwest Houston motel room on August 5, 2019. Patra, who was pregnant and just days away from her 19th birthday, was discovered in room 239 of the HomeTowne Studios on Guhn Road. The Houston Police Department received a tip from a man who flagged down an officer at a nearby movie theater, leading them to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers found Patra's body with multiple gunshot wounds to her face, shoulder, and leg. The victim's mother, Patricia Perkins, identified her daughter and expressed her disbelief and sorrow over the tragic loss.
The primary suspect in Patra's murder was her boyfriend, 31-year-old Justin Jerel Herron, who was also the father of her unborn child. Herron had a lengthy criminal background and was out on bond for a previous felony offense. Witnesses reported that Herron had confessed to the crime, stating that he "let out a whole clip" on Patra. He was reportedly angry after discovering that Patra had been texting one of his friends. Herron rented the motel room where the crime occurred and was on the run until he turned himself in to authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 12, 2019.
Herron was charged with capital murder for the deaths of both Patra and her unborn child. During the investigation, it was revealed that Herron had been prostituting Patra until she became pregnant. The police found multiple shell casings and blood at the crime scene, indicating that a 9mm Luger was used in the shooting. Herron claimed that he blacked out before the shooting, but his confession and the evidence found at the scene led to his arrest and subsequent denial of bail by the judge.
Patra's family was devastated by the loss, with her mother and sister expressing their grief and disbelief. They had been planning a baby shower for Patra's unborn son, Jai-Ary Legend Perkins, who was due in about a month. A GoFundMe account was set up to help cover the funeral expenses for both Patra and her unborn child. The case garnered significant media attention, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding Patra's death and the impact it had on her family and community.
