In August of 2023, the tragic story of 15-year-old Syquavius Hoyett unfolded in Memphis, Tennessee. The young man, a male, was found deceased following a desperate search that began after his grandmother and legal guardian, Anneria Turman, was discovered murdered.
The distressing events began to come to light on August 17, 2023, when police responded to a 'man down' call and found Ms. Turman's body in a wooded area. She had been shot in the back of the head.
As the investigation into her death progressed, concern grew for Syquavius, who had not been seen since August 16. An Endangered Child Alert was issued for the teenager as authorities and family members anxiously hoped for his safe return.
The search for Syquavius ended in heartbreak on Monday evening, August 21, when his body was located. While the specific cause of his death was not immediately released, it was later revealed that he, too, appeared to have been shot. The investigation into the double homicide quickly focused on Anneria Turman's boyfriend, 41-year-old Herman Hollins-Brown. He was taken into custody on August 19 in connection with Turman's death and was subsequently charged with her murder and abuse of a corpse.
Following the discovery of Syquavius's body, Hollins-Brown's charges were updated to include the first-degree murder of the teenager. Disturbing details emerged from a witness who told police that Hollins-Brown had forced him at gunpoint to help dispose of the bodies. The witness recounted being threatened, with Hollins-Brown allegedly saying, 'do what I tell you to, or you will be the third body.' According to the witness, they first disposed of Ms. Turman's body, which was in the trunk of Hollins-Brown's car, and then returned to a residence to move and dispose of Syquavius's body. Herman Hollins-Brown was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse and was held without bond.
