The Murder of Joana Peca

 

Joana Peca was murdered in front of her young children on the evening of July 31st, 2021. The 27-year-old woman was shot multiple times as she sat in her vehicle near the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida. St. Petersburg police believe that Joana was shot by then-38-year-old Benjamin 'Bambi' Williams. There is currently a warrant out for Williams' arrest.

Joana was involved in a relationship with Williams prior to her death. In fact, Williams is the father of Joana's youngest son. The child was only four months old when Joana was killed. 

According to reports, Williams asked Joana to meet him at the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens that evening because his sister is buried there, and he said he wanted Joana's support. Joana brought both her baby and her four-year-old son with her. At some point after arriving, Joana was sitting in the front seat of her car, holding her baby when Williams reportedly shot her multiple times. Williams then fled the scene.

Once police arrived, they found Joana's body in her car with her very frightened older son in the backset. Joana's murder was so gruesome that police initially did not notice that the four-month-old baby was in her arms. Both children were fortunately not physically harmed, but both now have the trauma of witnessing their mother's murder.

Williams has been on the run ever since the shooting. According to police, Williams is connected to "several" open homicide cases. He also has a criminal background that spans over 20 years. Police warn that Williams is likely armed and is considered a dangerous person. 

There is a monetary reward available for anyone that provides information that leads to Williams' arrest. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780 or send a text that contains the letters "SPPD" to TIP411.

-
Sources:
New York Post
Oxygen
Tampa Bay Times