Kandace Mervin

Kandace L. Mervin, a 38-year-old White female from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a mother of four who was remembered as a smart, joyful woman with a kind heart and a bright soul. A beloved daughter and sister, she enjoyed organizing family gatherings and spending time with her loved ones, who included her two daughters, Camryn and Arie-Anna, and two sons, Brandon and Michael Thomas Jr.

In the early morning of July 8, 2023, a domestic argument led to her tragic death. Johnstown police were first called to Kandace’s home on Wood Street at 4:12 a.m. for a verbal disturbance between her and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Michael Lyles Jr. Officers reported seeing no signs of physical abuse and instructed Lyles to leave the residence for the night. This was despite a court order from the previous month requiring Lyles to avoid contact with Kandace.

Less than an hour later, at approximately 4:54 a.m., Kandace called 911 again to report that Lyles had returned. The emergency dispatcher could hear the two arguing and heard Kandace say there was a firearm in the home. Suddenly, gunshots rang out over the open phone line, which then went silent. The dispatcher then heard a young boy crying in the background and asking, "who shot her?" Another child's voice responded, "my mommy's boyfriend." Kandace had been shot three times, twice in the head, and was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:06 a.m.

Police responded immediately and took Michael Lyles Jr. into custody just two blocks from the home. When detectives later informed him that Kandace was dead, they reported that he "displayed no emotion and acted as if it was all a joke."

Lyles, a resident of Baltimore, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, and endangering the welfare of children. Following a preliminary hearing in September 2023 before District Judge Kevin Price, Lyles was ordered to stand trial on all charges. He continues to be held without bond in the Cambria County Prison while awaiting trial.