Ayva Sutton, Kayda Sutton, and Sandra Davis Identified as Victims in Detroit Triple Homicide: Bodies Found in Burned Vehicle; Ex-Boyfriend Arrested in Horrific Crime That Shocks City
Detroit, Michigan — In what authorities and residents alike are calling one of the most disturbing crimes in recent memory, three generations of a Detroit family — 9-year-old Ayva Sutton, her mother Kayda Sutton, and her grandmother Sandra Davis — were brutally murdered and left to burn inside a vehicle that was discovered ablaze on the city’s west side in the early hours of Sunday morning. The suspect, identified as Kayda Sutton’s ex-boyfriend, has since been arrested and charged in the triple homicide that has sent shockwaves across the community.
The horrific crime came to light after firefighters responding to a car fire on Milford and 30th Streets discovered three charred bodies inside the smoldering remains of a vehicle shortly after 5:50 a.m. on Sunday. Investigators quickly determined that the deaths were not accidental. What initially appeared to be a deadly vehicle fire rapidly unraveled into a complex and tragic case of domestic violence, premeditated murder, and extreme cruelty.
Victims Identified by Grieving Family Member
Elauntra Sutton, a heartbroken Detroit resident, came forward later that day to publicly identify the victims as her 9-year-old daughter Ayva, her 27-year-old sister Kayda Sutton, and her 51-year-old mother Sandra Davis. Speaking through tears outside her family’s east side home, Elauntra described each of the victims with pain etched into every word.
“My daughter Ayva was the light of my life. She was only nine years old — full of joy, always smiling, always dancing,” Sutton said. “Kayda, my baby sister, she didn’t deserve this. She was trying to make a better life for her and her kids. And my mother, Sandra — she was the glue that held our family together.”
Family members and friends gathered near the scene with candles and photographs, leaving teddy bears and flowers in tribute to the victims. Many expressed disbelief, unable to comprehend the sheer brutality involved.
Timeline of the Crime
According to information released by the Detroit Police Department (DPD), the suspect — whose name has not yet been officially released pending formal arraignment — is believed to have entered the Sutton family’s home on the city’s east side in the early morning hours of Sunday. Police say he shot both Kayda and her mother Sandra at close range before turning his attention to Ayva, who was reportedly stabbed multiple times.
Investigators believe the murders occurred inside the family’s residence, which was later searched after a tip from a concerned neighbor. A search warrant executed on the home led detectives to blood evidence, shell casings, and signs of a violent struggle, confirming their suspicions.
After killing the three women, the suspect allegedly placed their bodies in Kayda’s vehicle and drove across town to the west side of Detroit. Surveillance footage from businesses in the area helped law enforcement track the car’s movements to the location where it was ultimately torched — the intersection of Milford and 30th Street, an area known for its industrial backlots and limited surveillance.
At approximately 5:50 a.m., residents called 911 after noticing flames erupting from the parked vehicle. The Detroit Fire Department responded swiftly and extinguished the fire, but what they discovered inside was far worse than anyone could have imagined.
Investigation Unfolds
Upon extinguishing the flames, firefighters contacted the police after discovering what appeared to be human remains in the back seat of the scorched vehicle. Due to the extent of the burns, the bodies were not immediately identifiable, prompting a full-scale investigation by the Detroit Police Department Homicide Unit, along with assistance from the Michigan State Police Forensic Division.
Authorities canvassed the area and recovered several pieces of evidence from the scene, including what appeared to be a melted gasoline container, suggesting the fire was intentionally set. Investigators believe the suspect used accelerants to ensure the bodies would be difficult to identify and to potentially destroy evidence of the murders.
Later that day, police received a call from a concerned family member — Elauntra Sutton — reporting that her daughter, sister, and mother were all missing. The details she provided, including the description of the vehicle, matched the burned-out car found earlier. Detectives were dispatched to the family’s east side residence, where they made the grisly discovery.
Inside the home, officers also found a 4-year-old boy — Kayda’s younger son — who had been left alone, frightened but physically unharmed. The child is now in the custody of Child Protective Services, and police have confirmed he is receiving trauma counseling.
Motive: A Pattern of Domestic Abuse
The suspect, who reportedly had a tumultuous and violent relationship with Kayda Sutton, is no stranger to law enforcement. According to DPD Chief Todd Bettison, police had responded to multiple domestic disturbance calls involving the couple in the past year.
“Unfortunately, like in many domestic violence cases, things escalated,” Bettison told reporters. “Kayda was trying to separate herself from this individual. She was attempting to move on with her life and protect her children. Tragically, that may have contributed to the motive for this brutal act.”
Court records show the suspect had previously been arrested for aggravated assault and had an active restraining order filed against him by Kayda Sutton just two months prior to the murders. Prosecutors say the case underscores the importance of enforcing protective orders and providing meaningful support to victims of domestic abuse before violence escalates.
Community Reaction: Shock, Grief, and Calls for Change
As news of the crime spread, the Detroit community responded with a mix of outrage, grief, and a renewed call to address the city’s ongoing issues with domestic violence and gun violence. Candlelight vigils were held Monday night at the corner of Milford and 30th Street, where community leaders and clergy members called for unity and change.
“We are tired of losing our women and our children to senseless violence,” said Reverend Alton Hicks of Detroit’s East Liberty Church. “This was a family. A grandmother, a mother, a little girl. They were taken from us in an act of unimaginable cruelty. We must demand more from our leaders, our justice system, and from one another.”
City Councilwoman Renee Taylor echoed these sentiments, announcing plans to propose new legislation aimed at strengthening the enforcement of restraining orders and expanding emergency housing and resources for women fleeing abusive relationships.
“This is not just about one case,” Taylor said. “This is about the hundreds of women in our city who live in fear every day. We must protect them before it’s too late.”
Law Enforcement Response and Arrest
Following the execution of the search warrant and identification of the victims, the suspect was tracked down within 24 hours. Detroit police, working with state and federal law enforcement partners, located him at a relative’s residence in suburban Warren, Michigan.
He was arrested without incident late Sunday night and taken to the Detroit Detention Center. Formal charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, arson, child endangerment, and unlawful imprisonment, are expected to be filed by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in the coming days.
“We will be relentless in pursuing justice for Ayva, Kayda, and Sandra,” said Police Chief Bettison during a press conference Monday morning. “My homicide detectives worked tirelessly around the clock. This case affected us all. We saw a family destroyed, a child’s life ended far too soon.”
Remembering the Victims
As the city continues to reel from the tragedy, those who knew the victims are sharing their memories and honoring the legacy each woman left behind.
Ayva Sutton was a fourth-grade student at Garden Elementary School. Her teachers described her as “a radiant spirit,” always eager to help her classmates and known for her love of drawing and reading.
“She wanted to be an artist,” said Ms. Camille Porter, Ayva’s homeroom teacher. “She brought so much joy to our classroom. It breaks my heart that her life was taken in such a horrible way.”
Kayda Sutton was working part-time while attending night classes to become a certified medical assistant. Friends describe her as hardworking, loving, and fiercely protective of her children.
“She wanted a better life, not just for her but for her boys,” said her close friend Tanisha Morgan. “She was doing everything right — getting help, making plans to leave him. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Sandra Davis, the family matriarch, was a retired nursing assistant who raised four children and was deeply involved in her community. Known as “Miss Sandra” in her neighborhood, she often volunteered at her local church and hosted summer block parties for the children.
“She was a second mother to so many of us,” said neighbor Harold Dean. “This neighborhood won’t be the same without her.”
Next Steps in the Legal Process
As the suspect remains in custody, the legal process is now underway. A preliminary hearing is expected to be scheduled within the week. Prosecutors have stated their intent to pursue life imprisonment without parole due to the “heinous, calculated, and cruel nature of the murders.”
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has already issued a statement confirming the office will “seek the highest level of justice” for the victims.
“This is one of the most disturbing domestic violence-related cases we’ve seen in years,” Worthy stated. “We are determined to make sure this man never harms another person again.”
How You Can Help
The Detroit Police Department is still urging members of the public to
