Bio

Willie Williams Palmer was born in 1952. He spent his early life in Burke County, Georgia. As an adult, Palmer had several relationships. He married Brenda Jenkins Palmer in 1993. They had a daughter, Willshala Palmer, born in 1994. Their relationship faced significant challenges, and witnesses reported that Palmer physically abused Brenda. He often made threats against her.

In May 1995, Brenda separated from Palmer and began divorce proceedings. Palmer was known to have a volatile temper. He had a piece of land, and he told witnesses he would kill Brenda if she tried to take it. In July 1995, he was jailed for violating a restraining order to stay away from her.

After Brenda and her daughter, Christine, moved to a small house in Vidette without running water, the situation became more tense. Brenda was afraid of Palmer and expressed her fears to a loan company manager. She requested that the manager not disclose her location.

On September 1, 1995, Palmer was released from jail. He soon visited the loan company, where he had been a regular customer. He asked about Brenda, but the manager did not answer. Palmer made a threatening comment, stating he would find her and kill her.

Following his release, Palmer made multiple threats against Brenda within a short period. He expressed anger towards Brenda as well as his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Smith, who had recently moved back in with him after losing her home to a fire.

In the days leading up to the murders, Palmer looked for his guns and asked relatives about them. He exhibited increasingly aggressive behavior.

Murder Story

Willie Williams Palmer committed two murders on September 10, 1995. His victims were his wife, Brenda Jenkins Palmer, and his stepdaughter, Christine Jenkins.

On that day, Palmer had been planning the attacks for some time. He had previously threatened both women. After asking his nephew, Frederico Palmer, to drive with him, he changed direction and drove to Brenda's house instead of their original destination. Once he arrived, he put on gloves and took out a .22 caliber rifle.

Palmer instructed Frederico to drop him off near Brenda's house. After being dropped off, Palmer forced his way into the home by kicking in the front door. Inside, he found Christine Jenkins in a bedroom and shot her in the face, killing her.

Afterward, he went to where Brenda was holding her baby, Willshala. Palmer directed Frederico to take the baby and then shot Brenda twice in the head, killing her as well.

After the murders, Palmer and Frederico left the scene, leaving the baby behind. They created an alibi, claiming they had gone to visit a friend in Augusta. Palmer disposed of the murder weapon, gloves, and shoes by throwing them off a bridge.

Two days later, Frederico confessed to the police and led them to the evidence. Palmer was arrested shortly after that confession. He was found guilty of multiple charges, including two counts of malice murder. The jury recommended the death penalty for his crimes, which was confirmed by the judge on November 8, 1997.