Jadell Williams, a 23-year-old Black / African American woman, was found deceased on the morning of October 28, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington. Her body was discovered just off the sidewalk in front of a church in the 3900 block of North Pearl Street. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that Williams had died from a gunshot wound to the neck and ruled her death a homicide.
At the scene, fire department personnel pronounced her dead.
The investigation into her death quickly led to a suspect, 30-year-old Darius Trevon Hammond. Surveillance footage from early that morning showed Williams carrying a black duffel bag with a man, alleged to be Hammond, following closely behind her. Hammond was arrested later that same afternoon at his mother's home. It was revealed that Hammond and Williams had been in a prior relationship, and she had previously filed domestic-violence reports against him.
Hammond was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. During the investigation, it was reported that Hammond had threatened Williams and her family the day before her death. A search of his mother's home uncovered the duffel bag Williams was seen carrying, which contained her wallet and ID card. A plea of not guilty was entered on Hammond's behalf, and he was held on a $1.5 million bail.
In April 2024, Darius Hammond was found guilty of the charges against him. He was sentenced to 39 years in prison for the murder of Jadell Williams, who was remembered as a big-hearted mother to a young son. The court also ordered Hammond to pay restitution to the Crime Victims Compensation program.
