On August 28, 2024 Derek Ward, 38, was found guilty of murdering and raping his cousin Brittini Ward, 23, in Charlotte, NC. Brittini had schizophrenia and mental health problems. Brittini’s mother Dawn Ward Wheeler was arrested too charged with Brittini’s murder, but she later pled guilty to concealing a dead body.
Charlotte Alerts is on Instagram. Brittini was murdered on May 5, 2010. Brittini and her family lived in a south Charlotte apartment. In 2010 Brittini’s cousin, Derek Ward, and another relative showed up unannounced at the Ward’s apartment and asked if they could stay with them for a while.
Brittini and her family hadn’t met Derek prior to that visit but allowed him to stay.
Derek and the relative stayed with the Wards for a few days, then left, but Derek returned alone several days later and continued to stay with the Wards.
During the course of his stay, the defendant tried to convince Brittini’s family that she was possessed by a demon due to her mental problems.
On multiple occasions, the family witnessed Derek choke Brittini. On May 5, 2010, the defendant and Brittini were alone in the apartment and he raped and strangled Brittini to death.
Family members found Brittini unresponsive when they returned home, but waited several hours before calling 911.
Derek’s DNA was found on Brittini’s pubic hair. In 2010 Dawn Ward, the mother of Brittini was arrested along with Derek and charged with murder.
But Dawn pleaded guilty to concealing Brittini’s death, and prosecutors dismissed the murder charge on her.
For 14 years, Derek has repeatedly been found mentally unfit to stand trial. But in 2022 a judge found Derek competent enough to stand trial and prosecutors went after him on murder offenses.
The trial began on August 19, 2024. Derek decided to represent himself at trial, and he failed miserably. The jury did not believe anything he said.
Derek was found guilty of rape and murder. He was sentenced to life in prison.
