Florida Teens Accused of Luring 14-Year-Old Girl Into Woods Before Killing and Burning Her Body

The bereaved mother of the girl who was murdered has spoken out about the tragedy, and a GoFundMe has been created to help raise financial support for the family.

A recent tragedy in Pace, Florida, has left the community reeling, and the chilling details will have one's blood running cold. On December 2, 2025, a 14-year-old girl's dead body was found in a wooded area by a passerby.

At the center of this horrific crime sit two teenage boys, who reportedly, in the words of one of them, devised a plan to murder the girl.

Discovery in the Woods Sparks Investigation

Authorities revealed the disturbing chain of events during a December 4 press conference, outlining how the investigation began when Danika Troy's mother, Ashley Troy, reported her as "a runaway" early on December 1. She told deputies she had last seen her daughter the night before (Sunday, November 30, at 10 p.m.) and noticed the teen's electric scooter was missing the following morning.

By the next day, the passerby stumbled upon Danika's body in a wooded area off Kimberly Road — a discovery that immediately launched a full-scale response from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives arriving at the scene found evidence of a fire, multiple live rounds, a charred body, and a single shoe matching the description of the pair Danika's mother said she had been wearing. Police also reported finding what they believe was Danika's electric scooter, and on Wednesday, investigators identified the remains as Danika's.

The horrifying scene left even seasoned investigators shaken. Working swiftly, deputies identified two teenage boys as suspects: 16-year-old Gabriel Williams and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins.

Sheriff Bob Johnson confirmed that Gabriel had allegedly stolen his mother's handgun and used it to shoot Danika multiple times after luring her into the woods. Both teens then set her body on fire. Bob described the case as a "ground ball," noting that evidence immediately pointed investigators toward the boys, who were taken into custody soon after the search began.

Information from police reports later shed further light on the alleged planning behind the attack. A witness told authorities that the boys discussed killing Danika after she insulted Gabriel on social media and blocked Kimahri during Thanksgiving break.

According to the witness, Kimahri claimed, "The initial plan was to shoot Danika once." However, Gabriel allegedly escalated the violence.

When detectives questioned Kimahri and read him his Miranda rights at his home — after his mother reported finding him "sneaking" back into the house around 11 p.m. on Sunday — he initially spoke about having had a falling out with Danika. Kimahri claimed he was the one who blocked her on social media before invoking his right to an attorney when asked about the events in the woods. He was then arrested.

Additionally, when Kimahri's mom divulged that she caught him sneaking back into their home, she asked her son what he was doing, he replied that he had gone to smoke a cigarette. Yet, she did not smell any smoke on him…

Detectives then interviewed Gabriel, who, at the police station, told investigators that Danika had made "hurtful comments," calling him "worthless" and a "gang-banger." He was also placed under arrest.

In the press conference, the sheriff later emphasized that the accounts offered by the teens did not align with what has been uncovered about the case thus far, stating that the motive "doesn't fit the forensics or any facts of the case." Bob also noted the trio were supposedly friends, but said no legitimate motive has yet emerged to explain the brutality of the crime.

Both suspects are currently being held without bond at the Santa Rosa Juvenile Detention Center on first-degree premeditated murder charges.

The sheriff's office has expressed its intent to pursue adult charges, with Bob making it clear, "You do an adult crime, you need to do adult time." The case marks one of the county's most shocking juvenile-involved homicides in decades, leaving investigators, first responders, and the community deeply rattled.

Danika Troy's Heartbroken Mother Speaks Out

As investigators work to piece together the crime, Danika's mother, Ashley, is left grappling with the unthinkable reality that her daughter's final moments were built on deception. "I still need answers. I'm just left asking why," the heartbroken mother reflected.

Ashley revealed that Gabriel, the 16-year-old now charged in Danika's murder, had cruelly manipulated her daughter's feelings to gain her trust. "Gabe pretended to have feelings for her. That's how she was lured," Ashley told The Post, adding, "She just wanted to be in love."

The grieving mom said her daughter believed she was sneaking out that night to spend time with the boy she thought cared for her, not realizing she was walking into a fatal trap.

"He had her heart. She would do anything for him," Ashley shared. "I thought he was hiding her to be together. I had no idea those boys could do this." She also disclosed that Danika had been grounded previously for attempting to meet up with the same boy, but the teen's trust in him never wavered.

"Kids just don't think about consequences," Ashley added, explaining that her daughter was already gone before she woke up the morning of December 1.

In a heartbreaking text message to The Post, Ashley revealed the depth of her sorrow and disillusionment — "She loved them, and they brutally murdered her." But despite the brutality of the act, Ashley has resisted turning to hatred. "I don't blame those boys. I blame evil influence. I don't hate them, I hate what they did to my baby," she said.

Still, Ashley made it clear that justice must be served, asserting, "But I want nothing less than for them to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

Danika's death has sent waves of grief through both her family and their community, with Ashley drawing a chilling parallel between her daughter's fate and the story portrayed in "Under the Bridge," the true-crime series chronicling the 1997 murder of Canadian teen Reena Virk.

"It's all I can do not to picture it constantly," she admitted, acknowledging the unbearable images that haunt her. The impact on Danika's younger sister has also been profound. "She's just numb," Ashley said, describing the deep bond the two girls shared. "Her sister adored her."

A Community Mourns as Donations Pour In

In the face of unimaginable loss, Ashley has found a source of comfort in her faith and the support of her church community. "She was beautiful and loved Jesus," she noted of her late daughter. "If anything would make this sacrifice worth it, it would be leading others to Christ."

Members of Avalon Baptist Church in nearby Milton have rallied around the Troy family, offering prayers, strength, and solidarity during their darkest hours.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, a family friend, Lena Ryberg, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help ease the burden of funeral and service costs. The fundraiser, titled "Honoring Danika Troy: Help with Service Costs and Family," has already raised over $25,000 of its $28,000 goal, with hundreds of donations pouring in from across the country.

"This is a hard time for the family and [sic] anything will help," Lena wrote, also asking for prayers alongside contributions. The campaign features heartfelt photos of Danika — smiling, playful, and full of life — a painful reminder of all that was lost far too soon.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Ashley, Danika's sister, their entire family, friends, loved ones, community, and all who knew and loved her as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Danika.