Conyers Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Kenny Conyers Jr. of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, First-Degree Felony Murder, and Kidnapping. Conyers pleaded guilty to Tampering with Physical Evidence prior to trial. Conyers now faces a mandatory sentence of life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Meredith Charbula will set a sentencing hearing the week of July 19, 2021.

In the late hours of April 30, 2014, Conyers and the victim got into a disagreement at a home they both resided in on the Westside. The victim’s sister, who also resided at the home, was also present along with several children. During the argument, Conyers used a Taser to stun the victim several times before picking her up and moving her into the attached garage where he slammed her into the garage floor, causing a significant head injury. Conyers then used a knife to stab the victim multiple times, duct tape her mouth, and put her in the trunk of his car while she was still alive according to what Conyers told police. Conyers, along with the victim’s sister, then drove several miles before Conyers pulled over and disposed of the victim’s body in a ditch. On May 2, 2014, the victim was reported missing by her sister and was discovered partially submerged in the ditch by a passerby. The victim’s death was ruled a homicide and an investigation led to the Westside home where the struggle and murder happened. Investigators discovered the garage — where the stabbing occurred — showed signs of being cleaned. However, the victim’s blood was still present in the garage and in the car in which she was transported. Conyers ultimately admitted to his role in the killing and was arrested.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Khary Gaynor and Adair Newman.