Philip Hayes was an 8-year-old African American boy murdered on November 2, 1991, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He and his 7-year-old brother Darien and their 27-year-old mother Helisa Stewart Hayes were attacked in the family home at Sunshine Mobile Home Park by Earl Richmond Jr., a former Army drill sergeant who had been a family friend and had dated one of Helisa’s sisters.

Philip suffered 40 stab wounds from a pair of scissors and was then strangled with an electrical cord wrapped around his neck five times. Darien was also strangled with a curling-iron cord; Helisa was raped and strangled. DNA evidence later linked Richmond to the scene. Richmond was arrested and convicted in connection with the triple homicide.

The killings devastated the Fayetteville community and the Hayes family. If anyone knew Philip, Darien, Helisa, or had information about that night in November 1991, please come forward with what you remember.