Even for veteran homicide detectives, it was a gruesome crime scene to witness. Police found the bodies of 24-year-old Nova Henry and her 9-month-old daughter Ava dead of gunshot wounds in their condo.
Henry's 3-year-old son Noah was also present but uninjured. He was, however, reportedly covered with blood.
Shortly after the crime, police took Henry's attorney and one-time boyfriend Fredrick Goings in for questioning. They later released him. But after processing the evidence on Friday night, they brought him back in and filed two, first-degree murder charges against him Sunday.
"There were numerous search warrants. There were numerours hours of video for detectives' review. There was forensic evidence," said Chicago police detective Chief Thomas Byrne.
That DNA evidence, according to police, links 36-year-old Goings to the crime scene.
Henry filed an order of protection more than a year ago against Goings but let it expire.
"The relationship was not healthy, and that resulted in her moving on with her life, at least she was trying to," said Nova Henry's father Eric Grimmette.
The biological father of Henry's 3-year-old son Noah is New York Knicks center Eddy Curry, a former Chicago Bull and Thornwood high school player. He has reportedly been very involved in his son's life.
"We have been in contact with Mr. Curry and his agents and his representatives , and he has been ...has been helpful," said Lt. Denis Walsh of the Chicago police.
In the meantime, family members are encouraged by the charges but say that's just the first step.
"This is a start which we're very pleased with. I'm hoping justice will be served," Grimmette said.
Fredrick Goings was set to appear in court Monday morning for a bond hearing. Police say they arrested him Friday afternoon in his car near the South Side home of a relative. So far, he has made no statements to investigators.
