In the early hours of Sunday morning, a scene of unimaginable horror unfolded on Detroit’s west side, where the lifeless bodies of two women and a 9-year-old girl were discovered inside a burning car. The vehicle, engulfed in flames near the intersection of Milford and 30th Streets, became a grim tableau that has left a community reeling and a family shattered. As firefighters extinguished the blaze around 5:50 a.m., they uncovered the charred remains of three victims, later identified by grieving relatives as Sandra Davis, Kayda Kake, and young Ayva, a vibrant 9-year-old whose life was brutally cut short. What began as a routine emergency call quickly escalated into a homicide investigation, revealing a chilling sequence of events that has gripped the city with sorrow and outrage.
Authorities swiftly moved to piece together the tragedy, determining that the two women—believed to be Sandra Davis and her mother, Kayda Kake—had been shot, their lives extinguished with cold precision. The little girl, Ayva, suffered an even more harrowing fate, her small body bearing the marks of a fatal stabbing to the neck. Investigators say the killings occurred before the car was deliberately set ablaze, an apparent attempt to erase evidence of the savage acts. The brutality of the crime, particularly the violence inflicted on a child, has struck a deep chord, amplifying the urgency to bring the perpetrator to justice.
By Monday, police had a suspect in custody: 29-year-old Edward Redding, a man with a troubling past and a connection to one of the victims. Redding, identified as the ex-boyfriend of Sandra Davis, was tracked down through a crucial breakthrough involving surveillance footage and license plate reader data. The technology pinpointed a silver Saturn Vue, registered to Redding, traveling in tandem with the victims’ vehicle shortly before the fire was reported. After a tense pursuit that spanned multiple jurisdictions, Michigan State Police apprehended Redding following a high-speed chase along I-75. The chase ended when Redding crashed into a median on Fort Street, attempted to flee on foot, and was finally detained. A search of his vehicle uncovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver, leading to an initial federal charge of illegal gun possession as a convicted felon.
Redding’s criminal history adds a layer of complexity to the case. Court records reveal he was convicted in 2011 of carjacking, armed robbery, and felony firearm charges in Wayne County, serving over a decade in prison before his parole in July 2024. Family members have described a volatile relationship between Redding and Sandra Davis, marked by repeated conflicts and interventions by law enforcement. Elauntra Sutton, who lost her daughter Ayva, her sister Sandra, and her mother Kayda in the tragedy, spoke of Redding’s persistent presence in their lives despite efforts to keep him at bay. His arrest has provided a measure of relief, but it does little to dull the pain of a loss so profound.
The investigation took a haunting turn when police executed a search warrant at a home on Detroit’s east side, believed to be the initial crime scene. There, they found a 4-year-old boy—unharmed but alone—whose connection to the victims remains unclear. This discovery has raised further questions about the events leading up to the murders and the fire. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, addressing the media, emphasized the emotional toll of the case, calling it an isolated yet deeply upsetting incident that has shaken the community. He praised the tireless work of the Homicide Task Force, a joint effort with Michigan State Police, in swiftly identifying Redding as the prime suspect.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on securing justice for Sandra, Kayda, and Ayva. The Detroit Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward, offering a $5,000 reward through Crime Stoppers for tips that advance the case. For now, Edward Redding faces a federal gun charge, but authorities are working to build a comprehensive case that could see him charged with the murders themselves. His arraignment in U.S. District Court marks the beginning of a legal process that will seek to unravel the full scope of this tragedy.
In the wake of the killings, the victims’ family has turned to social media to share their grief and honor the memories of their loved ones. Sandra Davis, a devoted aunt and sister, and Kayda Kake, a pillar of strength for her kin, are remembered alongside Ayva, a bright and spirited girl whose laughter once filled their lives. Their deaths have left an indelible mark on Detroit, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring quest for answers in the face of senseless violence. As the city mourns, the resolve to hold those responsible grows stronger, ensuring that this heartbreaking chapter does not fade into silence.