Durham DA Deberry Announces First-Degree Murder Convictions In Double-Homicide

DURHAM, NC — Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry announced convictions against a man who fatally shot his infant daughter and her mother in 2019.

Ramir Reams (19CRS50251) pleaded guilty as charged on Tuesday (Aug. 29) afternoon to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 20-year-old Zhytila “Honey” Wilkins and 10-month-old Ruia Reams on January 11, 2019.

“I want to express my condolences to the family of Honey and Ruia for their unimaginable loss,” said DA Deberry. “This horrendous act of domestic violence affected our community and the Durham DA’s Office deeply. Today’s resolution allows for a just outcome without requiring this family, who has already waited so long for justice, to relive the worst moments of their lives through a re-traumatizing trial. I hope these convictions — and knowing Mr. Reams will spend the rest of his life in prison — will provide some semblance of closure to them.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Lamar Proctor and Kendra Montgomery-Blinn, and DA Deberry.

Proctor stated in court that on the day of the murders, Wilkins and her daughter were at their home alone. Wilkins called 911 just before 10 a.m. on January 11, 2019, and reported she had been shot. A gunshot was heard on the call before it disconnected. When dispatchers called back, a man later identified as the defendant answered the phone, told dispatchers everyone was fine – though Wilkins could be heard crying — and gave them a false address later determined to be his home address.

Proctor stated emergency responders were dispatched to both locations: They found Reams’ home on Berkeley Street in Durham unoccupied. When they arrived at Wilkins’ home on Suffolk Street, they found evidence of forced entry, and both Wilkins and Ruia were deceased with gunshot wounds to the head. Reams was found alive with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the mouth, an injury that would contribute to delays in the court process. A handgun located on the scene had been fired six times and was determined to be the murder weapon.

Proctor stated Wilkins and the defendant had been in a romantic relationship for about five years and had recently broken up. At the scene, police located Wilkins’ cell phone, which contained hundreds of recent text messages from the defendant, including threats and a photo sent by the defendant of the handgun found in the home. 

The State elected not to make a plea offer in this case and was prepared to bring it to trial on September 11 until Reams agreed to plead guilty as charged.

Reams, 27, received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for each murder, ordered to run concurrently. Superior Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart presided.

The Durham DA’s Office thanks the family and the Durham Police Department for their important roles in obtaining convictions in the case.