HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Who killed William and Mary student Zhykierra Zhane Guy outside her Henrico County home? More than six weeks after someone fatally shot the 22-year-old woman, no one has been arrested for the crime.
"She was everything that a parent can ask of in a child," Guy's father Shanta said about his daughter, who was known as "Zhy". "She cared more about everybody else than herself."
One of the many reasons why Guy's family can't understand why their loved one was found dead in the passenger seat of a car outside their Carlstone Court home early in the morning of August 5, 2022.
"It's just not life as we know it," he said. "I can't go to the store without crying. I can't go get my hair cut without crying."
Zhykierra's mother Lakisha Hamlett said the last six weeks have been a nightmare for her family.
"Whoever did this was to was sadistic, evil, cold-hearted -- and we are here today for justice," Hamlett said as she shared her family's story at Henrico County Police Headquarters in an effort to raise awareness and tips about the case.
"She's a beautiful girl. She always tried to do something to help somebody. Always had smiles," Zhykierra's great-grandmother Patricia Davis Sturdivant added.
Henrico Police, so far, have no leads in the murder. A big reason why Zhykierra's family said it was important for people who have information to come forward.
"There's somebody out there on the street that's a murderer," Zhykierra's great aunt Sherrie Guy Davis said. "Tomorrow it could be one of us or it could be one of your kids. It could be you, it could be me."
The family said they do not know who would have targeted their loved one, but they raised concerns about an interaction she had a few hours before her death. The family said Zhy was driving with her younger brother and cousin and were followed by another car from around Airport Drive, just a few blocks from the family home. When Zhy's brother approached the driver, he asked for directions to the road they were just on.
Police said they have not been able to make any traction with that or any other tips they have received.
"We're here today to make that plea to our community, our media partners, alongside the Guy family where we stand in support of them during this tragic time to seek information that will help detectives take that next step and identify who may be responsible for this," said HCPD Lt. Matt Pecka. "It's important for area residents in the area if they have cameras that may not be visible to the public, detectives may find that beneficial to assist in this case. But they have canvassed the community on several different occasions along with other investigative tactics. But, right now we're just at that point where we're seeking additional assistance to lead detectives to the next step."
Zhy's family said while they continue to search for her killer, they are also working on ways to continue to honor her — including continuing to run the hair company she founded with her mother during the pandemic. The family said Zhy was set to graduate from William & Mary in the spring and had already been accepted to a law school in Spain. They said they still plan to go and tour the school.
"That's what she wanted to do. That's what we're going do," said Guy.
Anyone with information was asked to call Henrico Police or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
