In a heartbreaking case out of Memphis, a 58-year-old woman, Sonya Dates, was brutally murdered with a hammer by her grandson, Kerrien Dates, before her car was stolen. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, and police investigations quickly led to her grandson’s arrest.
The Discovery of the Crime
Sonya Dates was found by her daughter, bleeding next to a bloody hammer at her home. Memphis Police officers arrived to find that she had suffered fatal head injuries from blunt force trauma, which was believed to have been caused by the hammer. Despite the quick arrival of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigating the Murder
As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Sonya’s grandson, Kerrien Dates, had been living with her. Her car, a blue 2020 Chevrolet Camaro, was reported missing. Surveillance cameras in Jackson, Tennessee, captured the car’s license plate just 85 miles away from Memphis, and Kerrien Dates was identified as the driver.
When police officers pulled over Kerrien in the stolen vehicle, he confessed to the crime. According to a police affidavit, Kerrien admitted, “I hit Sonya in the head with a hammer and I think I killed her.” This chilling statement confirmed his involvement in his grandmother’s murder.
Motive and Background
Authorities learned that Kerrien and his grandmother had been in a heated argument before the attack. Sonya’s daughter had reportedly warned her mother to kick Kerrien out of the house for her own safety. Sonya is believed to have returned home from somewhere when she was attacked, as she was still carrying a backpack and lunch bag when her body was found.
Charges and Court Appearance
Kerrien Dates, 23, has been charged with first-degree murder and theft of property. He is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail and is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday.
A neighbor of Sonya Dates described her as a kind and caring person. “It is sad to see she is gone,” said Tracey Holloman, a next-door neighbor. “She didn’t bother anybody, she did not deserve it. I am praying for the family.”
The tragic death of Sonya Dates has left her family and the Memphis community in shock. Her grandson’s violent actions have shattered what should have been a loving family bond. As the legal process moves forward, those who knew Sonya are mourning the loss of a woman who was remembered as a good person who did not deserve such a violent end.
