Anguished mom of murdered Fla. teen Danika Troy says ‘evil influence’ to blame — not boys accused of slaying
Ashley Troy, the mother of 14‑year‑old Danika Troy who was murdered in Florida, told The Post that she does not hold the two teens responsible for killing her daughter. In a message she wrote, “She loved them, and they brutally murdered her,” and expressed her anger at what she calls “evil influence” in the world.
Danika was lured into the woods near Pace by two of her classmates, 14‑year‑old Kimahri Blevins and 16‑year‑old Gabriel Williams. Police said the pair fired a gun at Danika, then set her body on fire. The boys had apparently been friends with Danika, but when she blocked Blevins on social‑media and called Williams “worthless and a gang‑banger,” they decided to take revenge.
The tragedy reminds Ashley of the Hulu true‑crime series “Under the Bridge,” which chronicles the 1997 murder of a 14‑year‑old Canadian teen. “It’s all I can do not to picture it constantly,” she told the outlet. She says, despite the shocking nature of what happened, she harbors no hatred toward the suspects. “I don’t blame those boys. I blame evil influence. I don’t hate them, I hate what they did to my baby,” she added.
She also said she wants the teens prosecuted to the full extent of the law and that Danika “was beautiful and loved Jesus.” If any part of the loss could give meaning, she believes it would be helping others find Christ.
The family reports that Avalon Baptist Church in nearby Milton has been a pillar of support. “Our church has flooded us with love, taken over everything. My family was hit very hard, I don’t know what I’d do without my church family,” Ashley said. A GoFundMe page is up to cover funeral expenses, and the church will host a candlelight vigil on Monday night in Danika’s memory.
The vigil will bring the community together to honor Danika, a bright soul taken far too early, and to pray for peace, healing, and strength for everyone who loved her.
Both suspects are charged with first‑degree pre‑meditated murder.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
