In the late morning of November 23, 2022, the day before Thanksgiving, 19-year-old Andrea Perks was found with multiple gunshot wounds in an alley in the Parkland neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. Emergency services were called to the 700 block of Hazel Street, and she was rushed to the University of Louisville Hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Andrea succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
Her death was ruled a homicide, leaving her family, including her young daughter, devastated and searching for answers.
For months, the case remained without a suspect, and Andrea’s family publicly pleaded for justice. They gathered to release balloons in her memory and to keep public attention on the investigation into her death. The sense of loss was profound for those who knew her as a loving mother and sister. Her father, Antonio Perks Sr., became a vocal advocate for his daughter, determined to see the person responsible held accountable.
Nearly eight months later, in July 2023, a break in the case came when the Louisville Metro Police Department's Homicide Unit announced an indictment. De'Ondre Wicks, a 25-year-old man, was charged with the murder of Andrea Perks. The indictment also included charges for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun and tampering with physical evidence. Wicks was already in custody on unrelated charges when he was served with the indictment for Andrea's murder. For Andrea's family, the arrest marked a significant step toward obtaining justice for her untimely death.
