On May 1, 2016, 25-year-old Nikki Redden was found dead in a cul-de-sac on Tradeplex Circle in Baldwin, Florida, near Jacksonville. Redden was a mother of two, and her death was immediately treated as suspicious due to the presence of multiple stab wounds on her body. The gruesome nature of the crime prompted law enforcement to initiate an in-depth investigation, and eventually foul play was confirmed.
After almost two years, an arrest was made in connection with the case.
On April 2018, Dennis Benjamin Mixon, aged 59, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and arson related to Redden's death. Mixon was reportedly known to Redden's family, making the arrest especially difficult for her loved ones. Mixon had been serving time in connection with unrelated charges, including grand theft and failing to comply with career offender requirements, before being transferred to the Duval County Jail to face the murder charges.
Redden’s family expressed that this tragedy hit very close to home, and they hope for justice and closure with the ongoing legal process. Mixon was indicted by a grand jury, and prosecutors pursued both murder and arson charges. The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and the investigation continues as Mixon awaits trial. The case represents a painful chapter for Redden's family and serves as one of many tragic homicides in Jacksonville for which families have waited years for answers and justice (sources: First Coast News, Project Cold Case, Action News Jax).
