Man Admits to Killing Grandma — Then Steals Her Car
When a 23-year-old Tennessee man allegedly told police about what happened to his grandmother, officers likely weren't prepared for the grisly scene they would discover. The case has not only shocked the Memphis community but also exposed a tragic family conflict that may have been boiling under the surface.
A Gruesome Discovery at Home
On June 4, around 4:30 p.m., police responded to a residence on South Perkins Road in Memphis, Tennessee, where a woman had just discovered her mother, 58-year-old Sonya Dates, lying on the ground surrounded by blood. A hammer was found nearby.
Authorities said Sonya was still wearing her backpack and carrying her lunch bag, as if she had just come home from work. She had sustained four blunt force injuries to the back of her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Rising Tension Before the Violence
According to an affidavit, Sonya's daughter, Kerrien's mother, told police that Sonya and Kerrien had been arguing recently. The conflict had escalated to the point that Sonya reportedly asked him to move out of her home for her own safety.
Investigators said Kerrien had been living with his grandmother, and official records confirmed they shared the same address.
The Camaro That Led to His Arrest
Shortly after discovering the crime scene, officers noticed something else — Sonya's 2020 Chevrolet Camaro was missing. Police issued an alert for the stolen vehicle.
Hours later, officers in Jackson, Tennessee, about 90 miles from Memphis, pulled over a vehicle matching the alert. The driver was Kerrien Dates.
When asked if he knew why he had been stopped, Kerrien allegedly replied, "I hit Sonya in the head with a hammer and I think I killed her," according to KBTX.
He was taken into custody without resistance and booked into the Shelby County Jail the next day.
An Open Case and Ongoing Grief
Kerrien Dates has been charged with first-degree murder and theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000. He remains in custody.
Neighbors have expressed disbelief and sorrow in the aftermath. Tracey Holloman, who lived next door, said she saw Kerrien shortly before the incident and felt something was off. "She was a good person, she didn't bother anybody, she did not deserve it," Holloman said, according to KBTX. "I am praying for the family."
The Memphis Police Department has not released additional statements but confirmed the hammer found at the scene was the likely murder weapon.
Looking Ahead
As the legal process unfolds, loved ones of Sonya Dates are left trying to make sense of the violence. The case continues to raise difficult questions about domestic tension, mental health, and community safety. It is also a grim reminder of how quickly family conflict can turn fatal.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org.
References: Man Said These Chilling 5 Words After He Allegedly Killed His Grandmother with a Hammer and Then Stole Her Car, Police Say | 'I Think I Killed Her': Grandson Accused of Killing Grandmother with Hammer, Stealing Her Car | Suspect Accused of Killing East Memphis Woman, Stealing Her Car Captured in Jackson, Tenn.
