A Detroit family is grieving an unimaginable loss after a mother, her daughter, and a 9-year-old granddaughter were found murdered inside a burned-out vehicle early Sunday morning, April 6, 2025.
The victims have been identified as Sandra Davis, the mother, and Courtney Davis, the daughter. The 9-year-old girl has been identified only as Eva.
As the city reels from the horror, police continue to investigate the man they believe is responsible: 29-year-old Edward Redding, a convicted felon and the ex-boyfriend of one of the victims.
The victims — a 44-year-old woman, her mother, and a 9-year-old child — were discovered in what officials are calling one of the most brutal crimes in recent memory.
Authorities confirmed that the two women had been shot in the head, while the young girl — described by loved ones as bright, sweet, and full of promise — had her throat slashed.
The 9-year-old’s mother, Elauntra Davis, told Fox 2 Detroit it all seemed like a nightmare. She said she knew something was wrong when her mother and sister were not answering their phones when returning from a vacation.
“My mom and my sister were my main support system, and…it’s my daughter,” Elauntra was distraught.
The child was reportedly in the care of her aunt, Redding’s ex-girlfriend, at the time of the killings.
“She was just babysitting,” a source close to the family said. “She was doing what any loving aunt or daughter would do — and they were all taken from us.”
A Manhunt Ends, But the Grief Lingers
The violence set off a citywide manhunt that ended within 25 minutes of the initial 911 call.
Police traced a silver Saturn Vue back to Redding. When officers attempted a traffic stop, he fled down I-75, driving recklessly before crashing into a median and fleeing on foot.
He was quickly apprehended. Inside his bag, police recovered a loaded .38-caliber revolver.
Redding, who is on parole for prior convictions including armed robbery, carjacking, and illegal possession of a firearm, has been charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Though he has not yet been charged with the murders, police confirmed he is the prime suspect in the triple homicide.
Control From Behind Bars
Investigators allege Redding had exerted manipulative control over his ex-girlfriend even while incarcerated. Sources claim he continued to dictate her daily movements from prison, painting a disturbing picture of coercion and isolation.
Now, with him in custody and facing federal charges, authorities say they are working carefully to build a homicide case while ensuring he does not flee again.
A Family Torn Apart
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus for many in Detroit remains on the family torn apart by this tragedy.
The grandmother, remembered by neighbors as “a kind soul who always said hello,” had lived in the neighborhood for decades. Her daughter, the ex-girlfriend, was working to rebuild her life after the toxic relationship.
And the 9-year-old — a student who loved music and playing outside — now leaves behind only memories.
“Three generations gone,” a neighbor said tearfully. “It doesn’t seem real.”
What Happens Next
Redding, appearing in court wearing a beige jumpsuit and shackles, is due back in federal court on April 10 for a bond hearing.
Detroit police say his continued custody gives them critical time to pursue murder charges while ensuring no further danger to the public.
But no legal action can undo what has been done.
The community is left to mourn, grappling with questions about domestic violence, parole enforcement, and how to better protect women and children from abusive relationships that don’t always end when a prison door closes.
