Metro Detroit students studying in Florida killed

Timesha Carswell, Diona McDonald were students at Bethune-Cookman University

DETROIT – Two women from the metro area studying in Florida were murdered in Daytona Beach Thursday. The suspect was arrested Friday and hanged himself in his jail cell in Miami, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department.

Timesha Carswell, 21, and Diona McDonald, 19, were students at Bethune-Cookman University. Carswell was from Inkster and McDonald was from Southfield.

The women met at school. Both are singers and music majors.

The women lived off-campus at the Carolina Club Apartments on Williamson Boulevard. They lived with 26-year-old York Bodden.

After a dispute over rent Thursday, Bodden returned to the apartment and allegedly shot Carswell and McDonald, as well as 21-year-old Micah Parham from Romulus, Michigan. Parham was shot several times and was hospitalized.

Bodden was caught in Miami on Friday. He later hanged himself in his jail cell.

A vigil was held in Oak Park Saturday evening to remember the victims.

A GoFundMe account was set up to help with funeral expenses for Timesha Carswell.


About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism