An Alabama woman allegedly told police she “snapped” before shooting a man to death in a public park — shortly after they had had sex, and moments after he ended their relationship.
Online records confirm Bonita Brown, 64, has been formally charged with murdering Thomas Williams, who was also 64. The killing happened before dawn on November 23, not far from the Birmingham park where they had met for sex.
Police were called on the afternoon of November 23 after someone spotted a man’s body on the ground outside his vehicle, which was parked on a dead-end street, according to AL.com.
First responders arrived at the scene but determined that Williams was already dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
After identifying Williams as the victim, they searched his phone records and smart watch data and claim they learned Brown’s was the last number to have called him. Brown also allegedly drove past a number of license plate reading cameras that also placed her in the area of the murder that morning.
The first hearing in Brown’s case was set for November 24. But AL.com reports she collapsed inside the courtroom and required medical treatment, so it had to be rescheduled to November 26.
At the hearing, Birmingham Homicide Detective James Vildibill said that after reading Brown her Miranda rights, she told him she’d been dating Williams, AL.com reported.
“Defendant confessed to meeting the victim in a park to have sex and that when he broke up with her immediately after, she ‘snapped’ and shot him three times,” the judge wrote in her bond order.
Brown allegedly told the detectives that she kept Williams’ phone and dumped it near an area airport before going grocery shopping and heading home.
“She further cooperated with police in telling them where to find the firearm she used and the shell casings,” the judge wrote, “which were all recovered from her home.”
In arguing for her release, Brown’s public defender told the court Brown suffers from back pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and possibly high cholesterol. The judge’s bond order further noted that Brown is the primary caretaker for her autistic daughter.
However, Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Niki Franks said that while Brown has no prior criminal history, the nature of the crime demanded that a substantial bond be set. Franks also said Brown was a potential danger to herself and advised the court the jail had placed her on suicide watch, according to AL.com.
Online records accessed by Us Weekly confirmed that she attempted suicide but provided no information about when.
Brown remains in police custody on $100,000 bond.
Brown’s attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Brown was not asked to enter a plea to the murder charge she faces during the November 26 hearing.
Speaking to AL.com, Williams’ family described him as a light in the lives of so many people and said that his love for others will be his legacy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, emotional distress, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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