Emmett C. Williams, a 35-year-old Missouri resident, has been handed a 40-year prison sentence for the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Williams pleaded guilty to charges of murder and armed criminal action in June, following the death of 22-year-old Shayla Curts and her unborn baby.
The tragic incident occurred on the evening of December 6, 2022. Kansas City police were called to a reported shooting on Bellefontaine Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered Curts deceased on a couch, having suffered a gunshot wound to the head. A spent 9 mm Luger shell casing was found nearby on the floor.
According to witness statements, Williams had been visiting a residence where Curts was also present. The witness stated that Curts had gone downstairs to the living room, and shortly after, Williams announced he was leaving. Within a minute, a gunshot was heard. The witness found Curts deceased and the front door open, and reported seeing a figure running away from the scene.
The witness claimed there had been no altercation between Williams and Curts that night. In the early hours of the following morning, Williams contacted 911, confessing to the shooting and expressing his intention to surrender.
During police questioning, Williams admitted to knowing Curts for four years and seeing her occasionally. He described her as constantly provoking him, but claimed that he was usually unaffected by her words. However, he confessed that recent family losses and his struggle to manage his emotions, coupled with mental health issues and illegal drug use, had led him to “snap.”
Williams recounted the shooting, stating that he had shot Curts in the head as he walked past her on the couch. He then left the house and walked down the street. He claimed to have lost his gun, backpack, and cellphone after falling down a ravine in a wooded area. He later led investigators to the location, where they recovered the items.
Curts, who left behind two daughters, had named her unborn child Soleil. Her obituary described her as a charismatic, free-spirited individual with a lively sense of humor. She was known for her generosity and caring nature, often helping strangers. Her loved ones intend to keep her memory alive through the beautiful memories she left behind.