Young mother dying next to her 5-year-old son texted one word to reveal her killer in final moments, police say



An Alabama mother and her 5-year-old son were killed in a deadly shooting. The woman gave investigators one last hint of the identity of her killer in the final moments of her life, according to police.

Around 5 p.m. on July 13, 2024, police received a 911 call about a car accident in the Echo Highlands neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama.

"She loved her baby so much. Everything he wanted, he had. Everything he needed, he had."

Officers with the Birmingham Police Department responded to the scene and discovered a blue Nissan Maxima that had jumped a curb. The sedan was reportedly riddled with bullet holes. There were allegedly three shooting victims found dead inside the vehicle.

Investigators reportedly found 28-year-old Arkia “Kia” Berry in the driver's seat, her 28-year-old boyfriend, Eric Ashley Jr., in the front passenger seat, and her 5-year-old son, Landyn Brooks, in the back seat on the driver’s side.

Investigators recovered between 20 and 30 shell casings at the crime scene.

During a preliminary hearing on April 17, Birmingham homicide Det. Jarvelius Tolliver testified to a judge that investigators had located evidence found on Berry's cell phone.

Police went months without arresting a suspect. However, investigators discovered the mother's final one-word text message that allegedly directed cops to a suspect.

AL.com reported that Berry texted the word “Jaco” to a friend at 5:09 p.m. on the day of the deadly shooting. "Jaco" is the reported nickname of 25-year-old Jacorrian McGregor.

One of the homes in the neighborhood where the shooting took place had a surveillance camera that captured an image of a lime green Kia Soul at 5:07 p.m.

At 5:08 p.m., the blue Nissan Maxima driven by Berry is seen on video.

At 5:09 p.m., Ashley’s phone made a call to McGregor at the exact same time that Berry texted "Jaco" to a friend.

At 5:10 p.m., the Kia Soul was reportedly caught on camera speeding out of the neighborhood.

Tolliver noted the Nissan Maxima was not seen after that.

Police said the Kia Soul seen in the video was stolen.

The owner of the Kia allegedly told police that the car had been stolen five or six days before the shooting, but she never reported it stolen.

Police found the Kia Soul set on fire after the fatal shooting.

Tolliver said that McGregor and Ashley exchanged text messages earlier in the day that indicated they were planning to meet up.

Officer Tolliver noted that most of the text messages on McGregor's cell phone from the day of the shooting had been deleted.

Tolliver said of McGregor, "But he was having several conversations with people where they were talking about the incident that had taken place, and there were people telling him to lay low, stay out of sight, stay hidden.”

McGregor’s attorney, John Robbins, was asked if there were any witnesses who could connect McGregor to the Kia, and Tolliver replied: “I would say that Miss Berry was a witness. She texted his name right before she died.”

Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald told AL.com last year, "We believe some sort of interaction took place between the occupants of the victims’ vehicle and the suspects’ vehicle."

Jefferson County District Judge William Bell ruled there was enough probable cause to send the case to the grand jury.

McGregor was ordered to remain in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

Aniya Berry, Arkia's cousin, previously told WVTM-TV that the slain mother and son were like "two peas in a pod."

"She loved her baby so much. Everything he wanted, he had. Everything he needed, he had. She took care of her baby the way she was supposed to," Aniya said.

Officer Fitzgerald stated at the time of the shooting, "Anytime we have a homicide, it affects us. But when you have a child, it affects you differently. In this case, we have a small, school-aged child that got caught up in the violence that’s taking place in our city. We have to ask the question, ‘When is enough going to be enough?'"

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Anesthesiologist accused of trying to toss his wife off 'must-visit' Hawaiian cliff, charged with attempted murder



An anesthesiologist is accused of attempting to kill his wife by trying to throw her off a picturesque cliff in Hawaii, according to reports.

Dr. Gerhardt Konig — a 46-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui — was charged Wednesday with second-degree attempted murder of his wife.

'Arielle expressed that she did not feel comfortable taking a picture with him that close to the edge, so she declined and began to walk back.'

The doctor and 36-year-old wife — Arielle Konig — had been married since 2018 but had been struggling with their relationship for the last few months, KITV-TV reported.

She claimed her husband accused her of cheating on him in December.

The New York Post reported that the pair had been "participating in both couples and individual therapy and counseling" in an attempt to salvage their marriage.

Therapy reportedly helped the couple's relationship, and Gerhardt allegedly planned a weekend getaway to Oahu to celebrate Arielle's 36th birthday.

The couple arrived in Maui on March 23, according to court filings.

The next day, Arielle said her husband suggested that they hike a trail near the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout.

"This breathtaking viewpoint, perched 1,200 feet above sea level, offers sweeping views of the lush Windward Coast, the turquoise waters of Kāne‘ohe Bay, and the picturesque town of Kailua," according to Hawaii.com. "It’s one of the most stunning scenic stops on O‘ahu and a must-visit destination for both first-time visitors and locals alike."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, "Ms. Konig, in her court filing, noted the topography of the trail: 'narrow ridge sections with steep drop-offs on both sides.' She said she became uneasy and told her husband she didn’t want to go any farther."

Arielle told police that her husband wanted to take a photo with her at the edge of the cliff. However, she allegedly was uncomfortable with the idea, and she moved away from the cliff.

"She mentioned that while on the trail, Gerhardt was standing close to the edge and asked her to take a selfie with him,” an officer with the Honolulu Police Department said. "Arielle expressed that she did not feel comfortable taking a picture with him that close to the edge, so she declined and began to walk back."

Arielle allegedly said of her husband, "He was yelling something to the effect of, ‘Get back over there, I’m so [expletive] sick of you,’ and continued to push me."

The wife told investigators that at first she thought her husband was joking but then “quickly realized he was seriously trying to make me fall off the cliff.”

Arielle claimed that she threw herself to the ground and away from the edge of the cliff — but then Konig allegedly climbed on top of her.

Arielle — a renowned nuclear engineer — alleged that she told her husband to think about their children, ages 2 and 5.

According to court documents, Arielle said her husband grabbed a bag and pulled out two syringes then tried to inject her.

“I do not know what was in the syringe, but Gerhardt is an anesthesiologist and has access to several potentially lethal medications as part of his employment,” Arielle said.

Police immediately issued an all-points bulletin for Dr. Konig and shut down the trails during a multi-hour manhunt.

Gerhardt also was accused of grabbing a rock and bashing Arielle in the head. He allegedly tried to push her off the trail and then punched her.

The alleged assault is said to have ended only because two women on the trail heard the commotion.

The first woman — identified only as "Amanda" — told police she started walking up the trail around 10:30 a.m. and 10 minutes later allegedly heard a female screaming: "Help! Help me!"

According to the court affidavit, the woman alleged that she saw Arielle on her back "with a man on top of her hitting her on the head."

The hikers recalled Arielle shouting, "He is trying to kill me! He is hitting me in the head with a rock!"

Amanda claimed that Arielle's attacker stopped assaulting her once he realized he was being watched.

The hikers reportedly yelled that they were calling 911, and the assailant fled the crime scene.

According to the court filing, Arielle also claimed to have learned that her husband had called one of his adult children from a previous marriage on FaceTime.

Arielle alleged in the court filing that Konig told his child, "I just tried to kill Ari, but she got away."

The wife said her husband was covered in blood, and Arielle allegedly needed assistance from the hikers to go down the trail.

She was transported to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition with multiple facial and head injuries.

Police immediately issued an all-points bulletin for Dr. Konig and shut down the trails during a multi-hour manhunt.

Gerhardt was found and arrested around 6 p.m., police said.

Konig is being detained at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

His bail initially was set at $5 million. However, Arielle wrote to the judge that she is afraid for herself, her children, and the rest of her family if her husband is released, and the judge on Friday ordered him to be held without bail.

Arielle on Thursday filed a restraining order against her husband. She told the court that Gerhardt had become prone to “extreme jealousy” and “has attempted to control and monitor all of my communications.”

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Female reportedly orders her 5 lovers to kidnap, torture, and deprive man of food and sleep for a week at Red Roof Inn



A woman and her five reported lovers are facing serious criminal charges after they allegedly kidnapped and tortured a man at an Ohio Red Roof Inn.

Aaron Bradshaw, 49; Austin Bradshaw, 23; Michael Esqueda, 28; Martina Jones, 28; David Cessna, 26; and Chance Johnston, 27, were all arrested March 21. A grand jury on Thursday indicted all six suspects. They all were charged with one count of kidnapping, three counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence.

'His injuries were results of being struck with a baseball bat, struck with fists, elbows, stomping on him when he was on the ground, which over time resulted in multiple fractured bones.'

Citing the police report, the Kansas City Star said a dogfight broke out at Jones' home, and she attempted to break up the melee, but she ended up breaking her arm.

Jones allegedly told Austin Bradshaw, Aaron Bradshaw, Esqueda, Cessna, and Johnston that a 26-year-old man broke her arm.

Police claimed Jones ordered the five men to beat and assault the victim.

The men then punched, kicked, and beat the 26-year-old with a metal baseball bat for several hours, according to a police report.

Police suspect that the victim was assaulted and kidnapped March 14.

Court docs say the group held the kidnapped man against his will for over a week at a Red Roof Inn in Maumee.

The man reportedly was forced to stand for “extended periods of time,” was allowed to eat and drink only one time a day, and slept for a total of 10 hours over seven days.

The group allegedly told the victim that if he tried to escape, they would "beat his [expletive]."

On March 21, the suspects allowed the 26-year-old to leave the motel to go to the Speedway convenience store, police said.

"When he was there, he made contact with an individual, who got in contact with the victim’s mother," stated Maumee Chief of Police Josh Sprow.

The 26-year-old’s mother reportedly rushed to the Red Roof Inn to help her son.

Officers with the Maumee Police Department responded to the hotel.

The victim sustained injuries all over his body and was transported to a local hospital, police said. He's expected to survive his injuries.

The Blade reported that prosecutors told the judge that the victim suffered serious injuries as a result of the abuse, including broken bones, but “the totality of those injuries has not been determined.”

“He was being essentially tortured, assaulted, over the time frame of a week,” stated Sprow. “His injuries were results of being struck with a baseball bat, struck with fists, elbows, stomping on him when he was on the ground, which over time resulted in multiple fractured bones.”

Assistant city prosecutor Andy Lastra called the case “extremely disturbing.”

Investigators determined that Jones was in romantic relationships with the five male suspects and has multiple children with them.

“It’s clearly a strange situation when you have multiple adult men involved in a relationship with a female, and then this whole felonious assault/kidnapping taking place. Definitely not something that is normally happening in our city,” Sprow noted.

All six suspects have been detained at the Lucas County Corrections Center and were given a $200,000 bond, according to court records.

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After allegedly killing teenager he found in bed with wife, husband tells detectives he's worried about his marriage



A Tennessee man is accused of killing a teenager whom he found in bed with his wife. After the wife's alleged lover was purportedly killed, detectives asked the homicide suspect what he was concerned about, and he said "his marriage."

On Saturday, 41-year-old Jonathan Belk allegedly returned to his home in Dunlap, Tennessee, roughly 40 miles north of Chattanooga. Upon his arrival, Belk reportedly found a man in bed with his wife.

'He enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheelers, and working on everything.'

Police suspect that Belk stabbed Billy Jean Floyd to death.

Floyd, whose 18th birthday was just three days before his death, was found dead in the fetal position, stuffed in a garbage can.

When police arrived, they found Belk “standing in his doorway covered in blood,” with cuts on his hands, according to an affidavit.

Belk's wife, 31-year-old Jada Gholston, also suffered several stab wounds that required her to be hospitalized at the Erlanger Sequatchie Valley Emergency Department in Dunlap, according to WTVC. Gholston's stab wounds are said to be non-life-threatening, according to WDEF-TV.

The wife initially told law enforcement that a "man had jumped on her boyfriend while they were in bed," police wrote in an affidavit.

Belk was arrested and jailed on criminal homicide charges.

Detectives allegedly asked Belk if he was concerned about any major issues other than his legal woes.

“I am worried about my relationship with my wife due to the fact that I offed him,” Belk allegedly responded.

Floyd, of Jasper, Tennessee, went by the nickname “Lil Bill,” according to his obituary.

“He enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheelers, and working on everything,” the obituary reads. “He mostly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.”

A family friend launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Floyd's funeral expenses.

Belk remains detained at the Sequatchie County Jail.

Belk is scheduled for his bond hearing on March 21.

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Poison expert accused of fatally poisoning wife, Mayo Clinic resident reportedly made suspicious internet searches



A Minnesota doctor – who is also a poison expert – has been charged with murder after his wife was fatally poisoned. The Mayo Clinic resident faces up to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife.

Dr. Connor Fitzgerald Bowman, 30, was indicted last week on one count of first-degree murder and another count of second-degree murder, according to the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office in Minnesota.

"The Grand Jury found probable cause that Mr. Bowman intentionally and with premeditation was responsible for her death," Olmstead County Attorney Mark Ostrem said in a statement.

Bowman had initially been charged with second-degree murder.

Bowman was arrested on Oct. 20, 2023, in connection with the deadly poisoning of his wife, Dr. Betty Bowman – a 32-year-old pharmacist who also worked at the Mayo Clinic.

The complaint says Betty Bowman was admitted to the hospital with "severe gastrointestinal distress and dehydration where her condition deteriorated rapidly" on Aug. 16, 2023. Betty reportedly began experiencing the issues after drinking with her husband at home and originally believed her symptoms to be from food poisoning.

"Victim experienced cardiac issues, fluid in her lungs, and eventually organ failure," court documents state. "Victim was taken in for surgery to remove a portion of her colon after it was discovered it contained necrotic tissue."

Betty died at St. Mary's Hospital on Aug. 20.

An online obituary said Betty died following a "sudden onset autoimmune and infectious illness."

Investigators determined that Betty died from "the toxic effect of colchicine" – a medicine primarily used to prevent gout. There are purportedly no records of Betty suffering from gout or being prescribed colchicine, according to the criminal complaint.

Court documents say Bowman made potentially damning internet searches – including researching colchicine online.

CBS News reported, "Six days before Betty’s hospitalization, the complaint states he converted her weight to kilograms and multiplied it by 0.8. This conversion — 0.8 mg/kg — gets the lethal dosage rate for colchicine."

Bowman's browsing history from Aug. 5, 2023, showed searches for "internet browsing history: can it be used in court?" and "Police track package delivery."

The Mayo Clinic resident also allegedly arranged to have Betty "cremated immediately." However, the Southeast Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office put the kibosh on the cremation request "after learning of possible suspicious circumstances," according to the complaint.

The criminal complaint states that Bowman attempted to cancel his wife's autopsy and allegedly asked investigators if the toxicology analysis would be "more thorough" than those conducted at the hospital.

Bowman used his hospital credentials to view the electronic health record of his dead wife, according to the complaint.

The complaint states a woman contacted the medical examiner's office to tell authorities that the Bowmans "were having marital issues and were talking about a divorce following infidelity."

Another woman claimed that Bowman said that he was going to receive a $500,000 life insurance payout as a result of his wife’s sudden death, the complaint reads.

Bowman had attended pharmacy school, worked in poison control in Kansas, and was in medical school.

A GoFundMe page raising funds for the legal fees and other bills facing the mother of the deceased woman celebrated Betty as "a light to so many people and words cannot express how much she will be missed."

Bowman remains at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $2 million bail with conditions or $5 million bail for unconditional release.

Bowman is expected to be arraigned on Jan. 16.

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