Mariah Faith Moss was 21 when she was killed in Peoria, Illinois, on July 2, 2022. Born November 20, 2000, in San Antonio, Mariah had recently moved to Peoria, volunteered at Dream Center Peoria and worked at South Side Christian Academy. She was a devoted mother to her young son, Alexander Remington Black Jr., and remembered for her nurturing, resilient nature.

Police responded that morning to a residence on South Sterling Avenue and found Mariah with a fatal gunshot wound to her upper body. The Peoria County coroner concluded she likely died instantly from the single gunshot. The incident was recorded as the city’s 11th homicide of the year.

Following the discovery, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Taylor was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Taylor pleaded not guilty at a July 2022 court appearance, with a jury trial set for October 2022; a public defender was appointed. Further details about their relationship or a motive were not disclosed. If anyone knew Mariah or has information about what happened that morning, please come forward with tips.