Family of murdered Raleigh woman reveals new insight about accused killer
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The family of a murdered Raleigh mother is honoring her memory while raising awareness about domestic violence.
Mourners gathered at Markham Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Durham for Danielle Anita Hodges-Scott's funeral on Tuesday.
The night of Tuesday, September 30, Raleigh police responded to a shooting in the 3500 block of Limber Lane, where they found the 27-year-old dead.
The next day, they arrested and charged 25-year-old Brian Davis with her murder.
"He put a gun to my sister's head at point-blank range, to the side of her head, and pulled the trigger," said Roger Daye, Hodges-Scott's eldest brother. He is one of three older brothers to Hodges-Scott. He said he could not believe it when he got the call that his sister had been murdered.
"The number one question on everybody's mind is why," said Daye. He said they don't know much about the investigation from police but said Davis' own mother contacted them about the night his sister was killed.
"She said her son fell into a depression, maybe because he lost his job. She said he would drink heavily, and when he did drink he would turn into a totally different person," said Daye.
According to Daye, Davis and his sister used to date. While they were no longer a couple, she remained close to Davis' mother and was staying with her while she started a new job. Daye said Davis' mother told him her son came over to her house that night upset and that Hodges-Scott was trying to help him.
"The mother said my sister was trying to help him - tell him things are going to be okay," said Daye, but then they weren't.
While Davis sits in a Wake County jail cell awaiting trial, Hodges-Scott's family is remembering the life of a young mother cut short.
"She was a great mother, great sister, great daughter, just full of life," said Daye, "Her beauty was her trademark. She would light up a room no matter where she went."
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Hodges-Scott's family says they want to encourage other people enduring abusive relationships to break their silence.
"We hope in some way her death can bring a message that you don't have to live in fear you don't have to live with a risk of being killed," said Charles Daye, Hodges-Scott's uncle.
The family is asking the public for help with funeral services. They say Hodges-Scott had just started a new job and her benefits had not yet kicked in.
If you would like to help the family, there is a donation fund. Just click here to donate.
Hodges-Scott is survived by her four children.
