On a tragic evening in Birmingham, Alabama, the life of 24-year-old Raven Lynette Swain was cut short by gun violence. On July 28, 2020, Swain was discovered unresponsive in her car at Underwood Park, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The initial investigation by the Birmingham Police Department pointed to a homicide, launching a search for those responsible for her death.
The investigation soon uncovered a sinister plot, revealing that Swain's murder was a murder-for-hire orchestrated by her incarcerated boyfriend, Demarcus Chandler. While in a state correctional facility, Chandler hired Solomon Minatee III to kill Swain. The motive appeared to be Chandler's belief that Swain had stolen from him while he was in prison. Investigators uncovered text messages between the two men discussing the murder and the demand for payment after the act was completed.
Following the investigation, both Demarcus Chandler and Solomon Minatee III were arrested and charged with capital murder. In April 2025, Demarcus Chandler's trial concluded with a jury finding him guilty. He was subsequently sentenced to death for his role in orchestrating the murder of Raven Swain. The trial for the alleged hitman, Solomon Minatee III, is still pending.
