Who was Shawna Weems? California mom fatally stabbed after asking couple doing drugs near her apartment to move

The 28-year-old woman was concerned about the well-being of her children sleeping inside her apartment at the time
PUBLISHED SEP 23, 2023
Shawna Weems (L) was allegedly stabbed to death outside her apartment by Autumn Goodwin (R) (Fox 11/Screenshot, Hemet Police Department)
Shawna Weems (L) was allegedly stabbed to death outside her apartment by Autumn Goodwin (R) (Fox 11/Screenshot, Hemet Police Department)

HEMET, CALIFORNIA: In a shocking turn of events, Shawna Weems, a California woman was fatally stabbed after she allegedly asked a couple to stop doing drugs outside her apartment to protect her children.

The horrifying incident took place on Monday, September 18, when Weems, 28, confronted Autumn Goodwin, 27, and a man who were allegedly using drugs.

(Fox 11/Screengrab)
Shawna Weems was allegedly stabbed to death by a couple after she asked them to stop using drugs (GoFundMe)

The mother of three asked the couple to move away from her apartment window as she was concerned about her children who were sleeping inside, reported Law and Crime.

What are the charges against Autumn Goodwin?

On Friday, September 22, Goodwin was taken into custody in connection to Weems' death. She was booked on a homicide charge and is being held on a bail of $1 million.

The stabbing happened on Monday in the 1000 block of South Gilbert Street in Hemet, police said in a news release.

(Fox 11/Screengrab)
Shawna Weems was stabbed to death outside her apartment in Hermet (Fox 11/Screengrab)

In a media statement issued by the Hemet Police Department, the victim was identified by her family members who stated that a vigil would be held on Saturday, September 23 at the apartment complex where Weems was murdered.

(Fox 11/Screengrab)
Shawna Weems leaves behind three children she shared with husband Cody Weems (Fox 11/Screengrab)

Weem's close friend told Los Angeles' KABC that the victim "would do anything for her kids, to protect them, so that they didn’t have to see things. She was always wanting to protect her kids."

Shawna Weems' husband devastated over her tragic death

(Fox 11/Screengrab)
Cody Weems is devastated over the death of his wife Shawna Weems (Fox 11/Screengrab)

Speaking to ABC7, the victim's husband Cody Weems who was devastated over her death said, "She was my wife. She was my best friend, my rock, my soul, the mother to my children, just everything."

Shawna Weems described as a 'fierce' woman 'devoted to her children'

Shawna's sister Hailey Caristy remembered her as fierce and a "beautiful ray of sunshine."

"Her kids were her ultimate pride and joy. Just seeing a mom so devoted to her children the way my sister was, it was just so amazing and refreshing," said Caristy.

(Fox 11/Screengrab)
Shawna Weems was described as a person who was devoted to her three children (Fox 11/Screengrab)

GoFundMe set up to support Shawna Weems' family

Following Weems' death, a GoFundMe page was set up to support her family. The fundraising page stated that victim was "a mother, a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, and a friend"

"She lost her life due to a senseless homicide in Hemet," read the description.

"Her children will now be forced to grow up without a mom. Her husband Cody Weems is trying to pick up the pieces however he can’t do it alone and he needs our help," concluded the page that raised $20,900 as of Saturday morning, September 23.

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