In the early hours of June 3, 2021, a grim discovery was made in Minot, North Dakota, when authorities responded to a report of a vehicle fire. Inside the burning car, they found the body of 33-year-old Domonique Kelly, a local woman. The investigation into her death quickly revealed it was a homicide, launching a search for those responsible.
As the investigation progressed, police identified Kelly's boyfriend, Kamauri Siede Kennedy, as a suspect in her murder.
It was discovered that the house Kelly and Kennedy shared had also been set on fire. Investigators believed Kennedy had fled the state, and they began a search for two stolen vehicles associated with the case: a black 2017 Yukon Denali and a gray 2013 Chrysler 300. One of the vehicles was later found abandoned and burned near Minneapolis.
A warrant for Kennedy's arrest was issued in July 2021. The U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force tracked him to Detroit's east side. On August 30, 2021, when officials attempted to apprehend him, Kennedy led them on a brief chase that ended when his vehicle crashed on Groesbeck Highway in Warren, Michigan. He was taken into custody with the assistance of police from Clinton Township, Warren, and Macomb County. At the time of his arrest, Kennedy was wanted for federal and state parole violations in addition to the murder of Dominique Kelly.
Kamauri Kennedy was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Domonique Kelly. During his trial, evidence was presented that Kelly was shot in the head before the car was set on fire. The cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when the fire was started. Prosecutors also presented evidence linking Kennedy to a fentanyl dealing operation and suggested the murder may have been connected to gang activity. In December 2024, Kennedy was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Throughout the trial and at his sentencing, Kennedy maintained his innocence.
