A 34-year-old mother with a passion for beauty and fashion was fatally stabbed in an apparently random attack while on a break from her job at a Chipotle restaurant in Detroit, police and relatives said.
Jaquoya Wix was in an alley behind the restaurant at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday when she was allegedly attacked by Devon Jason Watson, 42, a man with a history of mental health problems and prior convictions. Police told FOX 10 that the assault appeared to be unprovoked.
“It was a senseless crime. I just keep asking myself why,” Wix’s grieving sister, Alicya Wix, told the station through tears.
“She got back up, at least for a second, and asked for help — and that’s just how strong my sister was.”
Police said Wix and Watson did not know each other and had little interaction before he allegedly stabbed her multiple times and ran from the scene.
Employees from a nearby restaurant went to Wix’s aid and pursued the suspect, helping authorities track him down, according to wxyz.com.
Investigators reportedly used a network of surveillance cameras to follow Watson’s movements and make the arrest.
Watson, who has a lengthy history of mental health issues, was charged with first-degree murder.
“It’s surreal. You just can’t even imagine what she went through and what was her last thought of what happened to her,” Jaquoya’s aunt, Anna Solis, said.
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“Knowing she was trying to get up and move and she still wasn’t able to, it’s very hard.”
Family and friends returned to the Chipotle on Monday to remember the slain mother. They lit candles, placed flowers and prayed for Wix, who was known as a beauty enthusiast with a love of makeup and fashion.
“She was a great person. She was very silly. She made some dumb mistakes, like we all do, but she always got back up no matter what it was. She always got back up,” Alicya Wix told FOX 10. “I don’t know how I’m going to be the same without her.”
Those close to Wix also remembered her creativity, resilience and “giving heart.”
“Jaquoya brought warmth, style, glamour, humor, and generosity into the lives of all who knew her,” her obituary said.
“She loved taking care of herself and took pride in her appearance, always making sure her makeup and hair were impeccably done,” the obituary continued. “She loved taking selfies, going thrifting, and expressing herself in ways that were joyful and uniquely her own.”
Wix’s relatives said they are now focused on supporting her 15-year-old daughter, whose father died several years ago.
Watson was denied bond during an arraignment Wednesday, according to clickondetroit.com.
The outlet reported that Watson was previously convicted of assault in Wayne County, Michigan, in 2010 and in Louisiana in 2024.
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