Keyaira Dashay Williams was 16 when she was found fatally shot in an alley in the 3100 block of Wallin Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, on May 19, 2016. She attended Guilford High School before transferring to the Innovative Learning Center and was remembered for her contagious smile and charismatic personality.

Investigators treated her death as a homicide. Prosecutors later linked 23-year-old Eurel L. Wilford to the case with circumstantial evidence: DNA from Keyaira under her fingernails, Keyaira’s DNA on a lip balm found in Wilford’s car, and a morning text in which Keyaira said Wilford had picked her up from her bus stop and that she feared for her life. The case included conflicting DNA under her nails and no murder weapon was ever recovered; the absence of Keyaira’s blood in Wilford’s car and a lack of gunshot residue testing were raised by the defense.

The trial examined the relationship between Keyaira and Wilford and whether there was a motive tied to their involvement. Few direct witnesses were identified. If anyone knew Keyaira, saw her that day, or has information about the alley on Wallin Avenue, please come forward.