In the early morning hours of July 14, 2020, a tragedy unfolded inside a home in Topeka, Kansas, forever altering the lives of a family and leaving a community in search of answers. Mercedes Holford, a 13-year-old Black/African American girl, was found shot to death alongside her 37-year-old mother, Crystal D. Andrews. The two were discovered in their residence in the 500 block of S.W. 5th Street.
Known affectionately as "Sissy," Mercedes was born on April 23, 2007.
She had just completed the seventh grade at Robinson Middle School and was known for her big heart and the joy she brought to those who knew her. She had a playful spirit, enjoying basketball and making TikTok videos. Her family remembers her as a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, and cousin who cherished spending time with her younger relatives.
The investigation into the double homicide began swiftly, with the Topeka Police Department responding to a report of a shooting just before 2 a.m. The case has proven difficult for investigators, and despite their efforts, no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Mercedes and her mother. The case is considered an active investigation, though some have referred to it as a cold case as time has passed without a resolution.
In the quest for justice, authorities have reached out to the public for assistance. A surveillance image of a person of interest seen walking near the home on the night of the killings was released by the Topeka Police. To encourage tips, a significant reward has been offered for information that leads to an arrest. An anonymous donor contributed $20,000 to the Shawnee County Crime Stoppers fund, which, when combined with the standard reward, brings the total to $22,000. Despite this incentive and the pleas from a grieving family, the individual or individuals responsible for the deaths of Mercedes Holford and Crystal Andrews remain at large.
