Left: Gracie Landa (Durham County Jail). Right: Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez (GoFundMe).
An 18-year-old woman who went missing from her Tampa, Florida, home more than two years ago is now in custody, facing charges of murdering a 23-year-old man in North Carolina.
According to a warrant, Gracie Elizabeth Faye Landa stands accused of murder in the May 30 death of Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez in Durham.
Landa disappeared in June 2023 from Tampa and was highlighted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. About a year after she went missing, authorities believed she could be in the Durham area.
Fast forward to approximately 12:30 a.m. on May 30 of this year. The Raleigh News & Observer reported that Piedrasanta-Perez and two women were sitting in a car near a local park when two or three individuals approached and began shooting. Piedrasanta-Perez was hit in the head by the gunfire and died.
Investigators reportedly later found around 40 bullet casings from two different caliber guns. Police apprehended Landa on Monday. They have not disclosed how they linked Landa to the murder, nor have they announced any additional arrests or a motive for the crime.
A GoFundMe account described Piedrasanta-Perez as a “kind soul, respectful, funny, caring, loving, hardworking.”
“His presence brought light and comfort to the family, had a sense of humor like no other, and now his absence has left a hole in our hearts,” the post said. “Our family is devastated by this loss. As we grieve, we are doing our best to come together to honor his memory and support one another through this difficult time. Nobody is truly ever prepared for an unexpected loss.”
Landa remains in the Durham County Jail without bond. She has a court date scheduled for Sept. 11.
