In the autumn of 2022, the life of 53-year-old Laura Ann Myers was tragically cut short in a violent act that also claimed the life of her 22-year-old granddaughter, Lea'johna Sanders. On the evening of November 6, 2022, in Columbia, Missouri, both women were fatally shot in the 1600 block of Boyd Lane. The devastating event left a community in mourning and a family grappling with the sudden loss of two of its members.
Myers was a dedicated and hardworking woman, holding down positions at the Terrace and Lake George Senior Living. She was a cherished mother and grandmother, known for her love of family and her passion for cooking for them.
The aftermath of the shooting quickly led to an arrest. Cadillac Derek was identified as the suspect and was taken into custody. The investigation revealed a chilling detail: a one-year-old child was left unharmed in a crib at the scene of the double homicide. Prosecutors highlighted threatening messages sent by Derek prior to the killings and a 911 call in which he was heard saying, 'Now what?' after the shooting, arguing it showed a lack of remorse. The case brought to light the serious issue of domestic violence, a factor that the victims' family hopes will receive more attention as a result of their tragic loss.
Two years after the deaths of Laura Myers and Lea'johna Sanders, justice was served in a Boone County courtroom. In November 2024, Cadillac Derek was sentenced to 62 years in prison. The sentence was the maximum allowed for the five felony counts he was convicted of, which included manslaughter and second-degree domestic assault. While the family expressed that no amount of time behind bars could bring back their loved ones, they found a measure of peace in the fact that Derek would spend many years in prison for his actions. Derek's lawyer indicated an intent to appeal the sentence, though a request for a new trial was denied by the judge who affirmed the fairness of the original trial.
