Livia Doirin, a 31-year-old Black woman from Fort Pierce, Florida, was a loving mother of four, a sister, and a friend. Her brother, Samuel Pierre, described her as "a very encouraging person to her community" and said many people reached out after her death to share what she had meant to them. He spoke of the family’s unimaginable loss, saying, "This has been a very difficult time for us. A lot of tears.
Very uncontrollable tears."
On the night of Saturday, December 14, 2024, police responded to a home on the 200 block of South 24th Street after a child called 911 to report an unresponsive person. Inside, officers discovered Livia Doirin deceased from what authorities described as obvious signs of trauma. She had suffered multiple gunshot and stab wounds, and a handgun was found clutched in her hand.
While clearing the residence, officers encountered 56-year-old Selma Jerome, who had barricaded himself in a back bedroom with two children. Jerome made threats toward the police, telling them, "You're gonna have to kill me." Officers heard what they believed was a gun being cocked before Jerome fired a single shot. After extensive negotiations, he allowed the two children, who were unharmed, to leave the room. A short time later, Jerome surrendered and was taken into custody. He declined to speak with investigators without a lawyer present.
Jerome was arrested and faced numerous charges, including several related to firearms, child neglect, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder of a police officer. However, no charges were filed in connection with Livia Doirin's death. Investigators called the case suspicious and complex, noting that a firearm was also found with Jerome. Police confirmed that he and Doirin were known to each other but said they were still working to determine the nature of their relationship.
Livia's family set up a GoFundMe to help her four children and called for justice in her name. As of December 2024, the investigation into her death remained active while authorities processed evidence from the scene and awaited final autopsy reports. The case is unsolved.
