In a harrowing turn of events, 17-year-old honor student Makia Coney was brutally murdered in Jacksonville, Florida, allegedly at the hands of her classmates in a shocking act of violence that has left the community reeling. Makia, who was reported missing on February 10, 2010, was found later that day, shot execution style and left in a wooded area. The discovery has raised questions about the nature of her death, especially given that the individuals responsible were not strangers but peers she had trusted.
Makia was a bright and beloved student at University Christian School, known for her welcoming spirit and academic excellence. Her disappearance sparked immediate concern among family and friends, but police initially failed to respond with the urgency the situation demanded. Hours later, the grim discovery of her body transformed the search for a missing girl into a homicide investigation.
Investigators quickly focused on two boys last seen with her: Connor Prien and Charles Southern. Reports revealed a chilling motive—an experiment in violence. Initially claiming the shooting was an accident, Southern later confessed that the murder was premeditated; they sought to understand what it felt like to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁. The shocking reality of their betrayal has left Makia’s family and community devastated.
Both teens were charged with second-degree murder and received life sentences without parole. In 2017, their cases were revisited under new juvenile sentencing laws, yet the profound loss remains for those who loved Makia. As her family mourns a future stolen, the chilling reminder of how trust can lead to unspeakable horror lingers in the air. Makia Coney was a vibrant young woman whose life was tragically cut short, and her story serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can hide behind familiar faces.