Crime
Dakayla Dailey charged with killing her 69-year-old stepmother in Spring
SPRING, Texas — A tragic family shooting in north Harris County has left one woman dead and her stepdaughter charged with murder.
Authorities say 27-year-old Dakayla Dailey has been taken into custody and charged in connection with the shooting death of her stepmother, 69-year-old Kathy Brown, inside their home on Hannover Forest Drive in Spring.
According to Harris County Constable Mark Herman’s Office, deputies were called to the 21300 block of Hannover Forest Drive late Friday morning after multiple gunshots were reported in the area.
A worker servicing the backyard pool told investigators he heard several shots from inside the home and immediately called 911 around 10:45 a.m.
When deputies arrived, they discovered two women inside the residence. The older woman, later identified as Kathy Brown, was found in the kitchen and pronounced deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds.
The younger woman, later identified as Dakayla Dailey, was detained without incident.
Authorities say initial findings suggest Dailey became upset after learning that her stepmother did not have any money, which may have led to the fatal confrontation.
Captain Aaron Strain of the Constable’s Office said no one else was in the home at the time of the shooting.
Dailey was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail, where she now faces a murder charge.
Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, including statements and digital records, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Harris County Sgt. Greg Pinkins initially reported that the women might have been a grandmother and granddaughter, but investigators later confirmed their relationship as stepmother and stepdaughter.
Authorities believe the two were the only residents living in the home.
Social media activity linked to Dailey, posted just one day before the shooting, has drawn significant attention online for its disturbing and erratic nature. Officials have not confirmed whether those posts are connected to the motive behind the killing.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
This heartbreaking case has deeply affected the Spring community, as neighbors expressed shock and disbelief over the incident. One resident described the neighborhood as quiet and family-oriented, saying the tragedy has left everyone shaken.
Authorities urge anyone struggling with anger or family conflict to seek help before violence occurs.
“This is an incredibly sad situation for everyone involved,” Constable Herman said. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones and to the community as we continue to investigate this senseless act of violence.”
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.