Vida Hicks, 43, was one of four Black women murdered in Miami between August 1995 and March 1996 as part of a violent spree carried out by Francisco del Junco. Hicks’s name is listed alongside Diane Nelms, Cheryl Ray and Janice Cox as victims.

Investigators formed a special task force and worked the case for about ten months. A surviving homeless woman who had been beaten by del Junco after refusing a date provided information that led police to arrest him while he carried a container of gasoline and matches. Forensic testing reportedly linked boot prints at the scenes to del Junco’s combat boots, and he confessed during interrogation, saying he took victims to Key Biscayne before killing them. The confession also cleared a prior suspect known only as Dread.

At trial the judge found del Junco ineligible for the death penalty because of mental illness and sentenced him to four concurrent life sentences. Anyone who knew Vida Hicks or has information about her life or the case is asked to come forward.