WEST MELBOURNE, FL. (KOLO) — Travion Demetrius Dean, 22, of Fort Pierce, has been charged with the first-degree premeditated murder of his former girlfriend, Aniya Sheppard, 20. Sheppard’s body was found on November 4, 2024, along Eber Boulevard in West Melbourne.
The Incident:
On the morning of November 4, a local resident alerted authorities to an unresponsive person lying on the road near Eber Boulevard, just east of Buddy Drive. Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and found Sheppard’s body with six bullet casings nearby. An autopsy later confirmed she had been shot multiple times, including in the leg, wrist, chest, and head.
Toxic and Violent Relationship:
Dean and Sheppard had a tumultuous and violent relationship, with a history of weapons being pointed at each other during past altercations, according to court records. Surveillance footage and phone records provided critical evidence that helped investigators piece together the events leading up to Sheppard’s death.
The Investigation:
Authorities learned that Sheppard and Dean had been staying together at the Extended Stay America motel on U.S. 192 in Brevard County. Surveillance footage showed them leaving the motel together that morning before being dropped off by a rideshare service on Hollywood Boulevard.
Investigators also discovered a Facebook Messenger video sent by Sheppard to her mother moments before her death. In the video, Sheppard can be seen walking with a man, later identified as Dean, shortly before the shooting took place. Her cellphone was recovered, providing further evidence for the case.
Dean’s Escape and Arrest:
After the murder, Dean fled to Jamaica, but investigators had already gathered enough evidence to issue an arrest warrant. He was detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Fort Lauderdale upon his return to the U.S. Dean was taken into custody and booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex without bail.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey expressed sympathy for Sheppard’s family, adding, “We continue to pray for Aniya’s family and friends as they navigate through these times.”
The Homicide Count:
Sheppard’s tragic death marks one of 38 reported homicides in Brevard County in 2024.
