Erica McFadden, a 34-year-old woman from Waterford, Michigan, tragically lost her life on April 22, 2016, in an act of domestic violence. Remembered as a dedicated mother to her two sons, Joseph and Corey, she was a hardworking employee at Kroger's Grocery Stores for over a decade and a beloved friend known for her warm hugs and genuine happiness for others. She was looking forward to a family vacation to relax and spend time with her children.
On that fateful Friday, an argument with her boyfriend, Demetrius Elliott, then 36, escalated to a fatal conclusion. In their Waterford home, Elliott shot McFadden, leading to her untimely death. The incident prompted a response from the Waterford Police Department, who found McFadden deceased at the scene and took Elliott into custody.
Following an investigation, Demetrius Elliott was charged with open murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. During his arraignment in the 51st District Court, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Despite this initial plea, the legal process moved forward, culminating in a trial.
Ultimately, a jury found Demetrius Elliott guilty of first-degree murder and felony firearm charges. For his crimes, he was sentenced to a mandatory life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would be held accountable for the devastating loss of Erica McFadden.
