Tameisha Jaikera Price, a 34-year-old Black woman from Toledo, Ohio, was a loving mother, daughter, and friend known for her heart of gold and passion for caring for others. Adoringly called "Meisha," she worked with children and enjoyed modeling, traveling, and spending time with her two sons, Jayden, 16, and Leslie, 13. In early 2024, she was excitedly preparing for the birth of her daughter, who she had named Malaysia Leani Price.
In the early morning of January 24, 2024, at approximately 4:48 a.m., police responded to a report of a person shot at Tameisha's home in the 5300 block of Norton Place. Officers found her deceased in her bedroom. An autopsy later confirmed she had died from multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Tameisha was eight months pregnant, and a separate death certificate was issued for her unborn baby, Malaysia, whose cause of death was listed as complications from the maternal gunshot wounds.
The investigation led to the arrests of three individuals. Paris James, 35, who was identified as the father of the unborn child, and Jerry Scott, 26, were each charged with two counts of aggravated murder. A third person, Shatwiya Triplett, 34, was charged with obstruction of justice. According to police affidavits, James had been disputing his paternity of the child. Prosecutors alleged that James planned the killing and that Scott participated in the "planning and execution of the plan." Triplett, who was James's live-in girlfriend, was accused of providing a false alibi for him.
The cases against James and Scott proceeded to a jury trial. Prosecutors presented evidence that included text messages showing James doubted he was the father and wanted Tameisha to abort the child. Cellphone data also tracked the men traveling from her home to Manhattan Marsh, where a park ranger later discovered the murder weapon. In July 2025, a jury found both Paris James and Jerry Scott guilty of multiple charges, including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, aggravated burglary, and tampering with evidence.
On July 28, 2025, a judge sentenced both James and Scott to two consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole. Both men maintained their innocence and planned to appeal. During the hearing, Tameisha’s family read victim impact statements, describing her as a beautiful person who was excited to watch her children grow up together. In a separate trial, a jury found Shatwiya Triplett not guilty of obstruction of justice in September 2025.
