Beverly A. Williams, 46, was found dead in her Milwaukee home on October 17, 2019. Her daughter discovered her lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor after Williams missed work and did not answer her phone. Investigators determined Williams had been shot in the stomach and in the head during what was described as a home invasion robbery.

Two brothers, Deondre Townsend, 19, and Tyree-Jonathan Townsend, 18, were charged in connection with the killing. Deondre Townsend was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and armed robbery; Tyree-Jonathan Townsend faced felony murder charges. The criminal complaint says the brothers planned to rob Williams, who was known to them from the neighborhood, and that Deondre admitted shooting her first in the stomach and then in the head, saying he did so to show her mercy and end her suffering.

Police say items taken from the home included a car, televisions, jewelry, and a computer; some of those items were reportedly pawned, Williams’ car was found abandoned in an alley with items linking it to the brothers, and a 9mm pistol recovered from Deondre Townsend’s residence was identified as the murder weapon. Anyone who knew Beverly or has information about the robbery and killing is asked to come forward.