Family pleads for answers in Athens murder case
ATHENS, Ga. - Relatives of an Athens murder victim said Monday they continue to pray for answers.
According to Athens-Clarke County Police, Daimeyan Stevens, 29, called 911 on August 16 to report someone had shot him. Stevens died a short time later at Athens Regional Medical Center.
"I remember the detective saying sorry for my loss and so when they said that, everything--it took everything out of me," recalled Kiera Smith, who had a daughter with the Stevens. "I tried to hold myself together, but I just broke down."
Smith said both her daughters, Rylee Smith, 3, and Da'Kia Smith,1, were inside Stevens's apartment at the time of the shooting.
"My baby seen everything. My baby's traumatized. She has nightmares. She's scared. She jumps in her sleep. Somebody knock on the door--she runs and screams," said Smith. "The last couple of weeks have been pure... pure hell for me and my children."
Police interviewed people at the apartment complex, but were unable to develop any suspects or persons of interest in the case.
Smith said she hopes someone will contact police with the tip they need to solve the murder.
"I hope whoever did it--I pray for their family as well, but at the same time, I want justice for my family. You took a dad away from two innocent kids and they was right there to see everything. You didn't have to do that right in front of them and you didn't have a purpose. He was a good person," said Smith.
Anyone with information in the case should call Sgt. David Norris at 706-613-3888, Ext. 556 or Det. Scott Black at 706-613-3888, Ext. 798. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 706-705-4775. There is a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.