Nekaybaw Ernestine Scott, 26, was found dead in her Newport News, Virginia, apartment complex in the winter of 2023. Her mother and grandmother discovered her on February 7 when they could not reach her; she was lying in a pool of blood just outside her apartment door and the interior showed signs of a violent struggle with blood spatter. The autopsy recorded scrapes, bruises, and lacerations to her head and face and a fatal .38 caliber gunshot wound to her left shoulder that damaged her lungs.

Investigators focused on her 26-year-old ex-boyfriend, Adjascent White, citing a history of abuse. Cellphone records placed White near the apartment on February 6 and 7; his DNA was found under Nekaybaw’s fingernails and his blood was at the scene. He attempted to hide injuries to his hand when interviewed.

A jury found Adjascent White guilty of first-degree murder and two firearms charges; during trial he said Nekaybaw tried to stab him with a small kitchen knife found under her body, a claim the jury rejected. He was sentenced to life plus five years; the judge cited White’s criminal history and prior domestic violence charges. Did anyone in the Newport News area know Nekaybaw or have information about her last days?