Murder In The Black

She Was 10 Minutes From Home: The Murder of Dawnia DaCosta
Dawnia DaCosta was just minutes away from where she was supposed to be.
What started as a routine night—a late prayer vigil, a familiar drive—turned into something far more unsettling. Within a matter of hours, Dawnia would vanish, leaving behind a trail of questions, conflicting witness accounts, and a case that wouldn’t fully come together until years later.
In this episode, we walk through the timeline of that night, the investigation that followed, and the evidence that both helped—and delayed—answers. From the gas station sighting to the composite sketch, to the DNA that ultimately pointed to Lucious Boyd, this case reveals how easily critical details can be missed when they aren’t fully connected.
And even now, the story doesn’t end with one victim.
The night Dawnia attended a prayer vigil alone

The gas station encounter and witness descriptions

The church van theory and early investigative focus

The discovery of Dawnia’s body and forensic findings

How DNA evidence led to Lucious Boyd

The 2023 breakthrough linking another victim in the same time frame

What this case reveals about patterns, missed connections, and delayed justice

Why This Case Stays With You

Dawnia didn’t step outside of her routine.
She was close to home. Close to safety.
And somehow—
that still wasn’t enough.

Discover the heartbreaking case of April Lynn Holt, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short amid emotional manipulation, unanswered questions, and a justice system that left her family fighting for more.
In this episode of Murder in the Black, we walk through April’s story — from her vibrant life as a beauty entrepreneur and social media influencer to the disturbing details surrounding her death, the evidence that raised red flags, and the legal outcome that continues to spark outrage.
This is more than a case.
It’s a conversation about emotional abuse, missed warning signs, and what justice really looks like when the system falls short.

🎧 In This Episode:
The life of April Lynn Holt — her ambitions, business, and growing social media presence

Her relationship with Donavan Holt, including on-and-off patterns and signs of emotional manipulation

The final moments before her hospitalization, including bruising, petechiae, and conflicting accounts

Key evidence uncovered in the case file — including fingerprint analysis and inconsistencies in the scene

Denzel’s account of the argument on July 28 and what he witnessed

The staged crime scene and Donavan’s confession, claiming her death was accidental

The legal aftermath — charges, plea deals, and how prosecution limitations impacted sentencing

The emotional toll on April’s mother, Jamie, and her relentless fight for truth and justice

A deeper look into emotional abuse and how it can escalate into deadly outcomes

Systemic failures in domestic violence cases and what this case reveals
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to the case of April Lynn Holt
00:25 – April’s background, personality, and social media presence
01:11 – Her dedication to motherhood and entrepreneurship
02:10 – The emotional connection between beauty professionals and clients
03:00 – Relationship timeline with Donavan — on-and-off patterns
05:00 – Social media and the illusion of “perfect” relationships
09:30 – April’s mental health and decision to leave
15:00 – Hospitalization, injuries, and conflicting narratives
16:55 – Evidence of strangulation and staged scene indicators
20:06 – Medical examiner ruling and Jamie’s refusal to accept suicide
30:07 – Jamie’s advocacy, TikTok awareness, and gag order
32:15 – Evidence pointing to foul play — fingerprints and Denzel’s testimony
34:15 – Donavan’s confession and staged scene details
37:11 – Legal proceedings, plea deal, and sentencing
43:15 – Reflection on emotional abuse and systemic failures
44:23 – Jamie’s resilience and fight for justice
46:21 – Final thoughts: awareness, advocacy, and accountability

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In this episode of Murder in the Black, we explore the heartbreaking story of 14-year-old Nacole Smith, a young girl with dreams of becoming a pediatrician who never made it to school on the morning of June 7, 1995.
What began as a devastating crime in an Atlanta neighborhood would become a case that stretched across decades. Despite eyewitness descriptions, community efforts to identify a suspect, and early forensic evidence, investigators struggled to identify the man responsible.
The case took a critical turn nearly nine years later, when 13-year-old Betty Brown survived a violent assault in East Point, Georgia. Betty’s courage to report the attack and her detailed recollection of the man who assaulted her would ultimately connect the two cases through DNA evidence — revealing that the same offender had been living in the community for years.
Through advances in forensic science, including DNA profiling, CODIS, and later genetic genealogy, investigators were eventually able to identify the suspect responsible for both crimes. But the resolution came with its own tragedy when the suspect died before he could face justice.
In this episode we also introduce our True Crime in Current News segment, where we highlight cases currently unfolding that listeners have brought to our attention. In this episode we discuss several developing stories, including the disturbing discovery of two young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland, a Bronx double homicide connected to a domestic dispute, and a shocking case involving a former NFL player accused of killing his girlfriend and allegedly using ChatGPT in an attempt to research ways to cover up the crime.
The life and dreams of Nacole Smith

The events of June 7, 1995, and the discovery of her murder

Early investigative leads and eyewitness descriptions

Community involvement and the circulation of the composite sketch

Suspicion surrounding Jamar Hendrix and why resemblance to a sketch alone is not evidence

DNA evidence collected from the crime scene and its entry into CODIS

Why CODIS searches sometimes return no match

The 2002 jailhouse informant tip and why investigators ruled it out

The attack on Betty Brown and how her survival connected two crimes

The role of forensic science and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases

The identification of Kelvin Arnold decades later

The emotional impact of the suspect dying before he could face justice

The perseverance of investigators and the importance of survivor testimony

True Crime in Current News: listener-submitted cases and developing investigations

00:00 – Introduction to Nacole Smith’s case
02:25 – Nacole’s life, dreams, and family
04:07 – The morning of June 7, 1995
07:26 – Discovery of the crime scene and evidence recovered
09:55 – Witness descriptions and early suspect sketches
11:42 – Community efforts and the composite sketch
13:06 – Jamar Hendrix investigation and why he was ruled out
14:37 – DNA evidence, CODIS, and investigative challenges
17:31 – The 2002 jailhouse informant lead
19:15 – The attack on Betty Brown in 2004
21:10 – DNA connection between Betty Brown’s case and Nacole’s murder
25:20 – Advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy
26:32 – Identification of Kelvin Arnold
27:24 – Arnold’s death before arrest in 2021
28:15 – Reflection on justice, persistence, and investigative tenacity
35:02 – True Crime in Current News segment
36:08 – Final thoughts and episode close
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In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking murder of Kenyadda Patterson, a 31-year-old mother whose life was taken in Charlotte, North Carolina. When her body was discovered behind a church, investigators were faced with a disturbing crime scene and very few answers.
As detectives began piecing together Kenyadda’s final hours, suspicion initially fell on people close to her — including her estranged husband and a man she had recently met. But forensic evidence would ultimately lead investigators in an unexpected direction, revealing that the person responsible for her death had been much closer than anyone realized.
This episode explores the investigative process, the role of DNA evidence in identifying the killer, and the unsettling discovery that the suspect had a long history of violent crime. We also reflect on the impact Kenyadda’s death had on her children and community.
At the end of the episode, we also highlight the still-unresolved disappearance of Daniel Robinson, a young geologist who vanished in the Arizona desert in 2021, reminding us that while some families receive answers, others are still searching for the truth.
TIMELINE
00:00 – A crime scene behind a church in Charlotte, North Carolina
00:30 – Discovery of Kenyadda Patterson’s body
03:00 – Crime scene analysis and evidence collection
04:24 – Investigators examine the abandoned vehicle and possible timeline
07:04 – Medical examiner findings: strangulation and sexual assault
08:02 – Investigators examine Kenyadda’s relationship with her estranged husband
09:21 – Interviews with James Patterson and the emergence of another potential suspect
12:35 – Johnny Moulton enters the investigation
14:36 – Community reaction and the impact on Kenyadda’s children
16:58 – Neighbor Thelma Harris contacts investigators with a tip
22:38 – Detectives uncover the criminal history of Derrick Harris
23:02 – A shocking connection between Derrick Harris and the investigation
24:29 – Detectives revisit the neighborhood as suspicion grows
25:47 – DNA results identify Derrick Harris as the killer
26:31 – Reflection on Kenyadda’s life and the legacy she left behind
27:38 – Featured segment: The disappearance of Daniel Robinson
31:05 – Why some cases remain unresolved
32:36 – Final reflections and call to action
In the closing segment of this episode, we also discuss the disappearance of Daniel Robinson, a 24-year-old geologist who vanished in the Arizona desert in 2021. Daniel was described by family and friends as intelligent, adventurous, and determined. After weeks of searching, his vehicle was discovered in a remote desert area with many of his personal belongings still inside, but Daniel himself was missing.
Human remains later confirmed to belong to Daniel were discovered in the desert, but investigators have been unable to determine the exact cause of death. His father has continued to advocate for answers and further investigation.
If you have information related to Daniel Robinson’s disappearance, please contact:
Buckeye Police Department Tip Line: 623-349-6411
Silent Witness (Anonymous Tips): 480-WITNESS
• Information on criminal investigations and forensic evidence
• News coverage and case documentation related to Kenyada Patterson
• Resources for families of missing persons
• Community organizations supporting victims and families affected by violent crime

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In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the chilling Seminole Heights serial shootings in Tampa, Florida — a case that left a neighborhood paralyzed by fear and ultimately led to the arrest of Howell Donaldson III.
Four strangers. No connection. No clear motive. Just proximity.
We break down the victims’ stories, the psychological layers behind violence without motive, the investigative challenges, and the nearly six-year legal journey before Donaldson’s guilty plea.We also provide updates on the cases of Na’Ziyah Harris and Celeste Rivas Hernandez, exploring the complexities of plea deals, grand jury proceedings, and what justice truly means when families are still waiting for closure.

Key Topics Covered
• The Seminole Heights serial murders: timeline, victims, and community impact
• The psychological question: What drives someone to kill strangers?
• The comparison to the D.C. Sniper and the terror of unpredictability
• How fear reshapes neighborhoods and daily routines
• Evidence that led to Howell Donaldson’s arrest and conviction
• The six-year legal process and the decision to plead guilty
• The emotional toll on victims’ families navigating the justice system
• Update on the Na’Ziyah Harris case: guilty plea, sentencing timeline, and the ongoing search for her remains
• Celeste Rivas Hernandez case update: grand jury process and investigative patience

Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: When violence has no motive
00:26 – Seminole Heights and the first shooting
00:59 – Community fear and escalating tension
1:29 – Who was Howell Donaldson III?
3:02 – Victim profiles and the randomness of the attacks
4:01 – Police response and reward increases
6:50 – Serial pattern and D.C. Sniper comparison
9:14 – The final murder and mounting pressure
12:26 – Arrest, ballistics evidence, and guilty plea
19:55 – Families navigating six years of legal delays
20:42 – Reflection: What ultimately drives random violence?
23:50 – Update: Na’Ziyah Harris case developments
32:43 – Celeste Rivas Hernandez investigation update
36:21 – Broader reflection on justice, delay, and closure
Resources & Links
• Seminole Heights Serial Murders – Case Background
• Howell Donaldson III – Court Records & Sentencing
• Na’Ziyah Harris – Case Update
• Celeste Rivas Hernandez – Investigation Overview

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