Ex-NFL Player Sentenced to Life For Doing The Unthinkable, Illinois Cafeteria Worker Exposed For $1.5 Million Chicken Wing Heist, Oklahoma City Will Pay Black Man Millions, Atlanta Searches For Street Racers Who Killed Young Mother And More Crime Stories

A roundup of The Root’s most important crime stories of the week.

Ex-NFL Player Sentenced to Life in Prison for Doing The Unthinkable

Cierre Wood, 33, and Amy Taylor, 31 Screenshot: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police

Five-year-old La’Rayah Davis was caught in the middle of an ongoing custody battle between her two parents. But before her father, Daunan Davis, could gain full custody, La’Rayah was found unresponsive in the Las Vegas home of former NFL running back Cierre Wood. After being taken to the hospital with several injuries, La’Rayah was pronounced dead on April 9, 2019, according to the Guardian. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Fashion Icon Andre Leon Talley’s Best Style Statements

Black Man Sentenced to Prison For Murder After Victim Spewed Racial Slurs at His Family

41-year-old Anthony Collins Screenshot: Ocean County Corrections

A New Jersey man will remain behind bars after he delivered a punch that killed a white man last year. Anthony Collins, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison, and in accordance with the state’s No Early Release Act, he is required to serve 85 percent of his term, according to VIBE. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Illinois Cafeteria Director In Trouble for Running a $1.5 Million Chicken Wing Heist…Seriously

Vera Liddell Image: Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; Stock Image

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, people everywhere took advantage of low gas prices and working from home. Vera Liddell, on the other hand, saw COVID as her sign to pull off the biggest scheme in chicken wing history, and now, she’s paying the price. – Phenix S Halley Read More

After 50 Years, Oklahoma City Will Finally Pay This Black Man Millions

Glynn Simmons poses for a portrait after the hearing where Judge Amy Palumbo ruled to approve his “actual innocence” claim at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on December 19, 2023. Image: Getty Images Nick Oxford

There’s not enough money in the world that can make amends for the five decades Glynn Ray Simmons spent in prison wrongfully convicted of murder, but Oklahoma City is trying to make it right by awarding him over $7 million. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Atlanta Family On the Hunt for Street Racers Who Struck and Killed A Young Mother

Shantea Reeves Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Eventbrite’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

It’s been almost two weeks since highway street racers allegedly hit a 32-year-old woman before leaving her to die on an Atlanta interstate. Now, her family is finally speaking out, and they want answers. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Zimbabwean Family Grieves After US Diplomat Allegedly Kills Young Girl in Car Accident

11-year-old Ruvarashe Takamhanya Screenshot: The Herald

Zimbabwean student Ruvarashe Takamhanya was walking to school with her best friend when she was hit and killed by a speeding car. The 11-year-old’s mother, Juliana Vito, found out about the June 3 accident from neighbors and quickly ran to the scene, according to BBC. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Prince's Best Performances, In Commemoration of His 10-Year Death Anniversary

Prince’s Best Performances, In Commemoration of His 10-Year Death Anniversary

It’s been 10 years since Prince left this Earth. Let’s take a look back at some of his most iconic performances, in honor of his passing …
A List of Trump's Allies Who Are Turning Against Him

A List of Trump’s Allies Who Are Turning Against Him

Trump relied on far-right podcasters and close Republican politicians to win his second term, but now allies are forming against him …
Why Gerrymandering Efforts From Both Parties Are Targeting Black Voting Districts

Why Gerrymandering Efforts From Both Parties Are Targeting Black Voting Districts

On the surface, redrawing the maps– although unprecedented– seems like a purely political scheme. In truth, however, redrawing urban district lines has already led to consequences for Black folks …
Floetry's Long Awaited Reunion Tour Has Fans Emotional

Floetry’s Long Awaited Reunion Tour Has Fans Emotional

Fans of Floetry got more than they paid for when the concert turned into an unexpected yet moving moment between the two lead singers! …
Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks You Should Know

Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks You Should Know

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to transform the “Steel City” of Pittsburgh into the epicenter of the football world as the city hosts the event for the first time since 1948. Scheduled for April 23–25 at the iconic Acrisure Stadium and the scenic Point State Park, this year’s event …
Tracee Ellis Ross Reacts to Vogue's 'Cloud Bob' Controversy

Tracee Ellis Ross Reacts to Vogue’s ‘Cloud Bob’ Controversy

After a Vogue photo that described the Afro as a “cloud bob” sparked outrage online, the subject of the now-viral pic has entered the chat …
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for D4vd Following Discovery of Teen's Remains in Tesla

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for D4vd Following Discovery of Teen’s Remains in Tesla

Here’s more chilling details in the growing case against D4vd after being charged with the first degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas …
Why Black Women Face Higher Infertility Rates And What Real, Affordable Options Are Within Reach

Why Black Women Face Higher Infertility Rates And What Real, Affordable Options Are Within Reach

This National Infertility Awareness Week, The Root spoke with an expert who broke down early red flags, barriers to treatment and affordable options that can make a difference …
The Today Show's Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Death of Husband

The Today Show’s Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Death of Husband

TODAY Show cohost Sheinelle Jones is keeping it transparent when it comes to how she’s dealing with her first birthday since the death of her husband in May 2025 …
"I'm Sorry": Tucker Carlson Just Admitted to a Massive Regret

“I’m Sorry”: Tucker Carlson Just Admitted to a Massive Regret

After years of supporting and campaigning for President Trump, it seems commentator Tucker Carlson has some serious regrets …
6 Things You Won't See In The New Michael Jackson Movie

6 Things You Won’t See In The New Michael Jackson Movie

‘Michael’ arrives on April 24—but don’t expect these storylines to make the final cut! …
It's Time To Get Excited About Michael.

It’s Time To Get Excited About Michael.

We don’t get many films like this. That alone is reason to pay attention. And an even bigger reason to show up …
KevOnStage Says He Won't Use Faith as a Reason to Judge LGBTQ+ Community

KevOnStage Says He Won’t Use Faith as a Reason to Judge LGBTQ+ Community

Comedian KevOnStage recently opened up about his faith and how it intersects with the LGBTQ+ community. But some Christians aren’t feeling his words! …
Why More Women Are Turning to Cannabis For Relief

Why More Women Are Turning to Cannabis For Relief

From managing chronic pain to navigating menopause, women are turning to cannabis at record rates. But as acceptance grows, so does the need for caution …
In This 'Red Pill Era,' One Black Man Is Becoming the Positive Role Model Every Young Boy Needs

In This ‘Red Pill Era,’ One Black Man Is Becoming the Positive Role Model Every Young Boy Needs

In an era where many young men are influenced by the red pill content they see online, one Black man is stepping up for his community and teaching Black boys how to be men …
Fans Are Obsessed With Blue Ivy's New Bodyguard

Fans Are Obsessed With Blue Ivy’s New Bodyguard

A viral clip of Blue Ivy’s security detail has sparked comparisons to Beyoncé’s longtime bodyguard “Julius,” igniting a new wave of buzz across social media …
Rochester Family Cremates Missing Woman After Being Told She Was Dead, Only to Learn That She's Really Alive

Rochester Family Cremates Missing Woman After Being Told She Was Dead, Only to Learn That She’s Really Alive

A Rochester, New York, family is now suing after they say police told them their missing daughter died, when she was really alive in another state …
Ex-Alabama Football Player Allegedly Used Wigs and Durags in Sophisticated Scheme to Defraud NFL Stars

Ex-Alabama Football Player Allegedly Used Wigs and Durags in Sophisticated Scheme to Defraud NFL Stars

Federal authorities allege that Luther Davis and CJ Evins committed wire fraud that targeted several NFL players …
'The Blind Side' Actor Quinton Aaron Addresses Fake Wife Scandal In New Interview

‘The Blind Side’ Actor Quinton Aaron Addresses Fake Wife Scandal In New Interview

Quinton Aaron’s road to recovery has been overshadowed by the drama surrounding his ‘wife.’ And now, he’s speaking up about it for the first time …
Junelle Lyles Defends Husband Noah Lyles From Online Outrage to His 'First Look' Reaction

Junelle Lyles Defends Husband Noah Lyles From Online Outrage to His ‘First Look’ Reaction

Olympian Junelle Lyles is standing up for her new husband after a viral video seemingly painted him in a negative light. But folks online aren’t open to hearing it! …