Serenity Tyvon Minter was 3 years old when she was killed in Dallas, North Carolina, on July 9, 2010. Born July 6, 2007, she was the daughter of Tracy Lee Hedgepath and Austen Blake Minter and a native of Gaston County.

Serenity was one of four family members found dead after Tracy’s parents called 911 because she had not shown up for work. Authorities reported that her father, Austen Blake Minter, murdered Serenity along with her mother, Tracy Lee Hedgepath, and her brother, Austen Blake Minter II. Reports did not specify a motive.

Serenity’s family and community remembered her brief life amid the shock and mourning that followed the killings.