The Murders of Jaida Peterson and Remy Fennell: "The Co-Conspirators"

These cases are true. The victims are real, and their voices matter. This is a hateful homicide. The murders of Jada Peterson and Remy Fennell, the co conspirators. Sunday, April 4, 2021 Charlotte, NC. The Fallen episode you're about to experience might contain evidence of misgendering. Discretion is advised.

It's Sunday, April 4, 2021 in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. It will be the home where 29 year old black transgender female Jada Peterson resided and when her family couldn't get a hold of her on that easter Sunday of April 4, 2021, her family asked Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department to do a welfare check on the Beautiful Black Community 29 year old transgender female Jada Peterson. The family last knew that Jada resided at the Quality Inn over near Queen Ford Road. Lt. Brian Crop takes the case. He goes over to the hotel for Quality Inn and what he discovered Willie the city of Charlotte changing the way that the LGBTQIA community is treated in Charlotte and throughout the state and the world for the next five years to come. Welcome my audience to season 7 episode episode 4 the murders of Jada Peterson and Remy Fennell, the co conspirators. This case involves a tale of two two cisgendered black men by the name of Duntary Long and Joel Brewer. In the tale of two beautiful Black trans women, Jada Peterson and Remy Fennell both met a hateful homicide that April of 2021 within a span of two weeks. And as we continue to go through this case again, my audience welcome. Welcome. It is one like no other. These two beautiful black trans women, Jada and Remy, in the prime of their lives, lived in them so beautifully and boldly, outwardly and vivaciously. Both would be the 14th and 50th victim who were trans to be murdered in 2021 consecutively in the same city, in the same state by the two best friends homeboys, these co conspirators. But before their identities are revealed, Lt. Brian Crom enters the Quality Inn. He immediately contacts his team, Rob Tufano and others to get to the Quality Inn on this Easter Sunday. Their gunshot bullet holes evidence of a hateful homicide. The body of 29 year old black transgender female Jada Peterson. It sounds slumped over in the hotel room. The Quality Inn is immediately cornered off and crime scene tape is introduced in surroundings the room on the third floor, room 318. Crime scene investigators and forensics also come out. The coroner also arrives to the Quality Inn and does an initial analysis. And it is determined that Jada had been shot multiple times throughout the upper and lower torso and ultimately bled to death. And it led to her hateful homicide. Coroner Miranda Kaminsky was not able to determine how long Jack Jada had been deceased. But Lieutenant Crump was able to grab Jada's phone and look at some of the data such as text messages, social media correspondence and more to try to figure out when was the last time Jada's phone was active. The early stages of the investigation is beginning and that's early morning hours of Easter Sunday. Lt. Brian Crumb did reach out to the family of Jada Peterson to initially just get some questions answered. Not sure exactly how he's going to deliver that news, but once we get some preliminary questions out of the way, and one of those was when was the last time they had contact with Jada and some of her loved ones who Lt. Brian Crumb would speak with as well as Rob Tufano would mention that they spoke to Jada just the day before or the day prior to that. Detective Rob Tufano also went and obtained CCTV footage from the Quality End, hopeful to see if there's any kind of activity. And he figured that he would ask the manager of the Quality Inn to at least provide CCTV footage for the previous 48 to 72 hours, just to get a timeline of Jada's actions and movements at the Quality end. But nonetheless, as these things are simultaneously happening, Lieutenant Brian Crom does officially send one of his detectives over. The family is officially notified that Jada has been discovered and has been met with a hateful homicide. But they would have to go to the coroner's office to make a positive identification. But based off of the description that the loved ones provided of Jada as well as her fingerprints been in their system. They had a pretty good idea, but would still need that positive identification. So Jada's family made the drive down to the coroner's office in the downtown Charlotte Mecklenburg area. They're distraught, devastated. Lieutenant Brian Crom, as the family goes to the coroner's office and makes that positive id, does encourage him to also come to his office at the CMPD police station to get additional information on who was Jada, what line of work did she do, why was she at the quality in room 318? All of this is happening as Jada's body is being prepared for autopsy, manner of death, homicide, cause of death, gunshot wounds and traumatic blood loss. After Jada's loved ones have made the positive id, they then head to the cmpd, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, to speak with Lieutenant Ryan Crone. And he shares with them what happened to Jada, this horror, this hateful homicide. The family is devastated but worried about this, as Jada had been in the line of survivor sex work. And her family did worry. And so when they didn't hear from

later yesterday on that Saturday, April 3rd, and then now going into Sunday, which she would have checked in and spent time with family, they knew something was not right. And because Jada had had some struggles with her safety in the past, this was a high priority case. And because the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department has tried to do better when it comes to the trans community, they also wanted to take this case seriously and immediately sent their best detective, Lieutenant Brian Crom, onto the case. Detective Rob Tufano is also getting that CCTV footage. They're also interviewing any type of witnesses who may be ear witnesses, eyewitnesses, to get any information. As well as interviewing the family, did Jada date anyone? Was this a domestic violence situation? Was she there to flee for her life, get some kind of context and understanding into how did Jada be met with this hateful homicide? The family, the only thing they could think of was she was doing survivor sex work. And it had to be someone who she invited over to engage in her line of work. And unfortunately, they tried to rob Jada and ultimately committed a hateful homicide. Detective Crumb did believe that that was a great lead. He strongly, strongly felt that it was important for him to take a look into Jada's line of work. And so he goes through her phone and he's doing this thorough investigation, my audience. And tracing Jada's text messages, her social media, DMs, trying to gain this idea of who would want to do this to Jada and why? Was she beefing with anyone? She was shot. Was it by someone that she knew? There was no signs of a break in the room was locked, but it does automatically lock based off of the door at the Quality end. But was there more? And so the family's been sent home and preparing to lay Jada to rest. And in the meantime, my audience, they are slowly preparing for this vigil to honor Jada. And it's important to just understand that this beautiful black 29 year old trans woman was full of life and she had so much going on. And on that Easter Sunday she was looking forward to spending time with her family and her friends. Both chosen and blood of life. Jada was beloved throughout the city of Charlotte, but was a native of South Carolina. And so she would go back and forth between the two. And it would be devastating that her loved ones, as they're getting this news on Easter Sunday of all days, a day of resurrection and rebirth and growth, is now left with the trauma of knowing that their loved one, 29 year old black transgender female Jada Peterson, has been met with a hateful homicide. They are now traveling to the city of Charlotte where Jada was met with a hateful homicide over near the Quality Inn to pay their respects and honor this beautiful trans woman who had so much life ahead of her. But it was snubbed out on that Sunday, April 4, 2021,

might put together a little bit of

Just be more respectful of trans women

My heart breaks because I just lost a son in 2016 for real. And matter of fact I just talked to her that night. I'm here so I can say I'm

Welcome back my audience. And that was from a tribute over the Pauline. Five days after the hateful homicide of 29 year old black transgender female Jada Peterson by these co conspirators. Five days into the investigation, it still was unsure who exactly committed the hateful homicide of Jada Peterson. Lieutenant Brian Crum and Detective Rob Tufano were doing their best, but again, it was going to take some time. You have to get subpoenas and warrants to get CCTV footage to go, have a team go through and painstakingly investigate. And so as they are investigating, there were community members who were concerned that the investigation wasn't moving fast enough and that if Jada, who was so beloved and adored and adorned by the community, could be easily met with a hateful homicide and her life snubbed out by being shot multiple times through the upper and lower torso, Then was the community of Charlotte Mecklenburg safe? Were there going to be other attacks? Was this the beginning of something much worse? The community was concerned. And as they wanted justice for Jada, there was still this need to know who committed this hateful homicide on Jada, who snuffed out her life. There were a couple of ear witnesses who did admit that they heard some gunshots around the latter part of April 3rd that Saturday in 2021 at the Quality Inn. But because of the area and the Quality Inn, also known for having all types of activities, some nefarious gunshots wasn't unusual. One ear witness did say that they did call 911, but they never saw anyone come out to the Quality end. So there was a lot of debate around the time of death. And ultimately coroner Miranda Kaminsky was able to determine that Jada appeared to have been murdered somewhere around the latter part, maybe around 9:30pm on that Saturday, which also started to align with some of the digital evidence that Lieutenant Brian Crum, as well as Detective Rob Tivato was retreating from Data's phone. And so all of these things are happening and then all of a sudden shots are heard again at the sleep end. And it's now April 15, 2019, 11 days, 2021. Excuse me, my audience. And it's now more than 10, 10 days since the hateful homicide of Jada Peterson. Lieutenant Brian Crom and Detective Rossi Fanell make their way over to the sleeping and they discover 28 year old black transgender female Remy Fennell, shot in her hotel room in the upper and lower toilet versa. The investigative team of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, as well as their crime scene investigator comes to the hotel. This sleep in, which is eerily familiar to what just happened.

confirms that this is the body of 28 year old black transgender female Remy Fennell. The team reaches out to her loved ones to make this devastating death notification. They're sad and they said they feared this would happen. And as news media gets aware of the case, so does Jada's family. And they said that this is something that they feared would happen, that they. Because the killer or killers had not been obtained and detained, that they were worried that this would happen again. And they had a feeling that Jada's case and granny's case were linked. Coroner Miranda Kaminsky also confirmed that the manner of death, the cause of death is homicide and the manner of death is done. Shot wounds to the upper and lower torso. Detectives are now even more determined as they are worthy. This is now possibly becoming a serial killer in Charlotte. The families want to know, the Petersons and the Fennells want to know what is being done to get justice for our daughters. Lieutenant Brian Crum and Detective Robert Tufano are saying that they are working on these now two cases back to back and was even working on getting a task for another five days go by when the family and friends go over

the Sleep Inn on North Tyron street to honor Remy Senel.

we're learning about the arrest of these two men and these two recent murders.

Police say they shot and killed Jada Peterson. And Breathing Channel tonight we talk with both of the women's families. Great that people are under arrest, the families say, but that doesn't change the pain of their loved one being gone. WBTV's Courtney Cole is live. And Courtney, it is nice to get to know the person behind these homicide numbers. You spoke tonight with Remy's family.

hair in North Carolina.

Welcome back my audience. And as we continue to go through the case, as you can hear from Remy's God sister Barbara, she was full of life. A hairstylist traveling throughout the southeast region to continue to make herself known and build her brand when on that Thursday, April 15, 2021, her body was discovered after he shot fired at the Sleep Inn off North Tyrant street. This beautiful black 28 year old transgender woman, her life is now snuffed out along with 29 year old black transgender female Jada Peterson after the vigil that was held in honor of Remy on April 20th of 2021. The next day the families of Jada Peterson and Remy Fennell get this life changing phone call. There had been an arrest. Both Jada's case as well as Remy's were linked. The gun was connected to one particular man by the name of Joan Brewer. His gun was linked in the hateful homicides of both Jada and Remy. However, as they was going through this information and brought him in and interrogated Joel, they did realize that there was two individuals on both sets of CCTV footages from the Quality in and the Sleep In. Joel admitted that it was his co conspirator, his thrill killed buddy Dantarius Long. These two black cisgendered men lured two incredible black children, transgender women into engaging in something that they did to survive sex work when they knew they were really going there for this sense of thrill kill. Just hearing Long is brought in because confesses to an extent but says that it was really more Joel. And then he even had an ace up his sleeve that he had some additional information on Joel if he needed it and he could use it to show that he wasn't the bad guy, but his co conspirator Joel was. Detectives Brian Crumb and Detective Rob Tufano are interviewing and interrogating not only these persons of interest but confirmed now suspects. And before they ask for their attorney, the Two detectives place them in handcuffs, and they were taken to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department detention center. They would try to get bail, and because of the heinous and the trauma of shooting down these two young, beautiful women, bail was denied. But the investigation wasn't over. As the case continued, it was important to understand who these horrific individuals were.

Welcome back, my audience. And as we continue to go through this case, it's important to understand that the city of Charlotte wanted to be more affirming, wanted to be more supportive of their LGBTQ community. And so they took this case very seriously. Very seriously. And the judge in this case denied bond. Denied bond for both of them. They were also offered a plea deal by ADA Marisa Turner. ADA Turner did offer its co conspirators, these besties who had a need to thrill kill and decided to target two beautiful black trans women whose line of work was survivor sex work. But they were also more than that. And what we have to remember, my audience, as we continue to go through this case, is that there was such a commonality that was there. Right? You had two black trans women, both survivor sex workers, both using the same type of app, and met these two individuals, invited them into their hotel thinking it was going to be a casual hook up, something fun, make some money, continue to build their brands and cosmetology and hairstyling and advocacy and so much more. As they showed up and without a moment's notice, each of them was shot multiple times and left to bleed out in the hotel room. A space that they felt that they could be safe. And it's important to continue to go through this case, learn a little bit more about Jada and Remy. And before we do that, my audience, I want to also give you a little bit more context into this case and just exactly how justice for Jada and Remy continues

I believe we were able to get two very dangerous criminals off the street.

Welcome back my audience. And as you witness, this case continues to shock the city of Charlotte. And there was just so much need for justice in that moment and continuously, not just for Jada and Remy, but also for the beautiful black and brown trans community in the city of Charlotte Mecklenburg area. It's also important to understand that these two, as the trial begins in April of 2024, that after continuance and so much firing and hiring different pro bono attorneys, they ultimately were convicted and sentenced for second degree murder. Now, my audience, it's also important to note that Joel Brewer was in trouble for another case. It appears that he had not just only committed the hateful homicide of Jada and of Remy, but also that of Joshua to Allen, a black cisgendered male. And this is important to understand that

Dontarius long mentioned that he had still an ace up his sleeve, this is what he Meant he wanted to assure that his good old buddy, the co conspirator would also be faced with more time since it was him who snitched on. And Duntary has got arrested because when Joel was brought in first, it was him who gave Dantarius his name. And Dunt Harris figured he would return the favor and share a little bit more about what he knew regarding his co conspirators. And another hateful homicide man accused of

Welcome back my audience. And so this gives you an idea of the psychopathy, the sociopathy of these two co conspirators. Josh was a victim too, and it's important to say his name. This 33 year old black cisgender male who was lured out to these woods. And detectives had already been looking into Joel Brewer for that hateful homicide. And if they had had enough evidence could this had prevented the hateful homicides of Jada and Remy. And unfortunately, even when Jada was murdered on Easter Sunday, could there have been something to remember been Remy will never know. But both of these co conspirators, these besties, these serial killers, though not charged with a hate crime, was ultimately convicted for the hateful homicide of 29 year old black transgender female Jada Peterson, 28 year old black transgender female Remy Fennell and 33 year old black cisgender gendered male Joshua Tremaine Allen. Jada was born circa 1991, 1992 in South Carolina. She was beloved and began her gender journey very early on. In her teen years. Known as spunky and full of life, Jada never held back. She loved to dance, she loved to do karaoke, she loved doing hair. She was huge on social media and her presence was always felt. Jada also had a spiritual side and loved spending time with her family. And so that's why when they did not hear from her on that Sunday, April 4, 2021, which was Easter and a time for the Peterson family to celebrate, they knew something was was not right. Jada in her journey overcame so much and persevered and never let what happened to her deter her. She had been a survivor of domestic and intimate partner violence. She had survived other attacks on her as a survivor sex worker and still, she showed up every day and showed out for her loved ones and her family and friends and always was a bright light and a spirit. Jada's siblings and her family and her parents, grandparents, all of them remember her and say her name and supported her throughout her journey. Jada was even spending time with a certain gentleman by the name of Travis. And unfortunately that relationship didn't get to really blossom like many of us. Jada did to face workplace discrimination, trying to get a job from fast food to telemarketing to nursing assistant. But unfortunately she was met with employment barriers and would oftentimes have to turn to survivor sex work just to survive. The same story is very similar to that of 28 year old black trip transgender female Remy Pannell. Born circa 19921993 in Virginia. She loved going over to Norfolk, to the beach area and then on the beach. By the age of eight, Remy was already having a passion for doing hair, for getting her own hair done. She was so beloved and adored and was seen as this many hairstylist like her mom and her sister, that her family just instantly gravitated to what Remy wanted to do, which was make everyone feel beautiful. She always strongly believed in that if you look good, then you felt good and if you feel good, then you must be looking good. And that was a philosophy that she followed. And so in 2021, Remy was traveling throughout the southeast region, getting to know people, dating, having her brand on social media, Remy's touches working on getting hair products and extensions that were for her, by her and to be able to provide economic opportunity for her community for future hairstylists, for future cosmetologists, for a future esthetician. And all of that will be snuffed out on that Thursday, April 15th of 2021 at the Sleep end, like Jada again, Remy was met with employment barriers, workplace discrimination, and while she was rising to the top in her hairstyling business and growing and glowing in every way that counts. We all know that these things cost and take money. And so when there was times that were tough, both women would go and do what they needed to do, tell as old as time, survivor sex work. And on these respective days in April role in the city of Charlotte, the two core conspirators, Centerious Long and Joel Brewer concocted, conspired to target vulnerable women, vulnerable people for their property, for their money. Knowing that these two beautiful women were survivor sex workers, they struggled strongly believe Long and Brewer that they most likely had some money from other encounters. They'll go in acreage to some extent, get both of these women's guards down and before they knew it, shoot them, steal from them and leave them to die on the floor. And because of the location, the geography, the demographics of these two hotels,

witnesses did not think much of it. And law enforcement who was also used to some of these shots fired call, did not respond that Saturday, April 3rd of 2020. But because there was an active shooting at the Sleep Inn on that Thursday, April 15, there was a quicker response. Information was given quickly, CCTV footage And within those 20 days of investigation, Duntarius Long and Joel Brewer were arrested, convicted and is currently serving up to 30 years to life in the North Carolina Department of Corrections. Remy mattered and she will always be remembered. Justice has been served for jada. Laws and policies that continuously changing Charlotte Black Pride remembers the beautiful two women of Charlotte who were met with hateful homicides by these two conspirators who had nothing else better to do than to take the lives of these beautiful young women who hadn't even gotten a chance to live to see 30. And as we prepare to conclude my audience, I just want to say to Jada and Remy, we remember you my Beautiful Sisters, born 1991, 1992 and resting on since April of 2021. We remember both of you yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever and always. Thank you so much my audience for tuning in to Season 7 Episode 4 the Hateful Homicide of Jada Pearson and Remy Fennell, the co conspirators. I'm your host Mallory Jenner Robinson. Thank you all again for your continued support as we continue to go through season seven. And again, please be careful, be safe, keep your tracking information, make sure people know where you are, provide the information of your encounters with someone that you trust, don't be afraid to even do a security check before they even come into your room because these tales are too cautionary and we're losing our lives at an astronomical rate. And unfortunately these cases were in 2021 and we are now 2026 and the hateful homicides have not dwindled or stopped but are still skyrocketing. So stay safe and let these two cases remind you of the pertinence of making sure that we do our diligence to assure that nothing like this continues to happen. But we will continue to say our siblings names who are met with these hate Bahamas side and until next time my audience, please continue to be kind, caring and loving. Thank you all again. Please follow us on all social media platforms, continue to share and say our beautiful victim's name. Thank you so much. Take care and enjoy your day. Bye.