Just six days after being released from prison, a 25-year-old Wilson man has been arrested and charged in a chilling double homicide involving his own family. According to reports from the Wilson Police Department, Da’ron Donta Jenkins is now facing two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his 50-year-old mother, Dana Vanessa Jenkins, and his 15-year-old brother.
Officers responded to a distressing scene on the 1700 block of Snowden Drive around 5:23 p.m. on Monday. The call came in as an “unknown type of call,” but once law enforcement arrived, they discovered two individuals dead inside the home.
This incident has sparked shock across the Wilson community, especially since it comes just days after Jenkins’ release from incarceration. According to officials, the investigation is ongoing, and police are working to piece together the events that led to this devastating loss.
Family Tragedy Unfolds: Police Confirm Identities and Motive Remains Unclear
By Tuesday, Wilson PD confirmed the victims’ names as 50-year-old Dana Vanessa Jenkins and her teenage son. The younger victim’s name has not been officially released at this time due to his age. What we do know is that this family has been torn apart in a matter of minutes—and the community is left asking how this could’ve happened.
Neighbors described Dana as a hardworking mother who always looked out for her kids. “She kept to herself, but she was good people,” one neighbor told local news reporters. Another added, “That little boy was always respectful. He didn’t deserve this.”
While police have not yet released a motive behind the killings, many are questioning what support systems were in place for Da’ron Jenkins following his release. Mental health, reentry programs, and parole supervision are all now being discussed as potential failure points in this heartbreaking case.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
As of now, Da’ron Jenkins remains behind bars at the Wilson County Jail with no bond. The Wilson Police Department has yet to share what kind of weapon was used or whether the deaths were the result of a domestic dispute or something more premeditated.
Community leaders are calling for calm and urging the public to allow the investigation to unfold.
“This is a deeply troubling situation. We’re offering prayers for the family, the victims, and even for Da’ron,” said a local pastor during a vigil held Tuesday night.
An external report from WRAL News has confirmed that Jenkins had been released from prison less than a week before the murders occurred, though the exact terms of his release haven’t been disclosed.
This case has raised serious questions about the criminal justice system, including how ex-offenders are monitored once they return to the community—and whether early intervention could’ve saved lives.
