Nikki Bazemore, 32, was found shot and pronounced dead at the scene on September 15, 2019, in a wooded area off Hursey Street in Durham, North Carolina. Her body was discovered unresponsive near the wood line. She was a mother of three who worked multiple jobs to support her children; family members described her as hardworking and said she did not have time to get involved in anything that would put her life in jeopardy.

Initial investigative efforts produced no new leads, leaving the family desperate for answers. In July 2021, Mario Blanding, 34, who was already in Durham County jail on other murder charges, was indicted for Bazemore’s murder. Blanding had also been charged earlier that year in two other Durham homicides and in four robbery cases; how investigators connected him to Bazemore’s death was not detailed.

If anyone knew Nikki, saw something near Hursey Street on or around September 15, 2019, or has information that could help the investigation, please come forward to assist the authorities.