On a Sunday evening in the Center Point area, a welfare check led to the discovery of a beloved family member's tragic death. Erica Shontea Williams, a 40-year-old female, was found deceased in her apartment on 20th Avenue N.E. on April 30, 2023. The cause of her death was determined to be a stabbing.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Ms. Williams' home at approximately 6:30 p.m. to conduct the welfare check.
Upon their arrival, they found her unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passing, which occurred just a few months before what would have been her 41st birthday on August 9th, sent shockwaves through her community.
In the days following the discovery, law enforcement officials identified a person of interest in the case. After gathering sufficient evidence, detectives with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office secured a murder warrant for 50-year-old Cortrell Montesez Burks. At the time the warrant was issued, authorities described Burks as being 6'2' tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds. They also indicated he might be driving a black 2005 Nissan Armada. As of the latest available reports, no bond had been set for the murder charge.
