Markeith Demangzlo Loyd was born on October 8, 1975. 

On December 13, 2016, Markeith Loyd shot and killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, at her home in Orange County. At about 9:15 p.m., Loyd knocked on her door. When Dixon opened it, he shot her multiple times. Witnesses reported hearing around ten gunshots. Dixon’s brother, Ronald Steward, tried to help but was shot as well.

On January 9, 2017, Loyd was spotted at a Walmart. Lt. Debra Clayton, who was responding to the sighting, confronted him. Loyd fired three shots at her, one of which hit her hip, causing her to fall. While on the ground, Clayton fired back at Loyd. He shot her four times, with the last shot hitting her neck. Clayton was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.

During the manhunt for Loyd, Deputy First Class Norman Lewis died in a traffic accident while searching for him. The search continued, and on January 17, 2017, Loyd was captured in an abandoned house. He was found wearing body armor and armed with multiple guns. He tried to escape but eventually surrendered to police.

Loyd was later tried for the murders of Sade Dixon and Lt. Debra Clayton. He was found guilty and sentenced to death for Clayton's murder. Loyd was already serving a life sentence for Dixon's killing at the time of his sentencing.