Do you know who murdered Loren and his girlfriend? On the morning of August 24, 2008, 26-year-old Loren Hinkle, an African-American male, and his girlfriend, 25-year-old Dhanika McDaniel, were found shot to death in a North Buffalo apartment on Sanders Road. The grim discovery was made after McDaniel's young son, who was present in the home, answered the phone for his grandmother who had been trying to reach the couple.
It is believed the four-year-old boy may have witnessed the double homicide.
An autopsy revealed that both Hinkle and McDaniel died from single gunshot wounds. Investigators found no signs of forced entry into the apartment, leading them to suspect that the couple likely knew their assailant or assailants and that the killings were a targeted attack. Buffalo Police acknowledged that at least one of the victims was known to law enforcement but did not elaborate further on a possible motive. Some reports suggested the murders could have been connected to drugs.
Despite the initial investigation and the tragic circumstances surrounding the potential child witness, no arrests have ever been made in the case. The murders of Loren Hinkle and Dhanika McDaniel remain unsolved, leaving a lingering sense of loss and unanswered questions for their families and the community. The case is considered a cold case, and authorities continue to seek any information that could lead to a resolution.
