A New York woman, Sakiyna Thompson, has been found guilty of murdering 23-year-old Kayla Hodgins in South Florida. The verdict was delivered Wednesday, marking the end of a tragic case rooted in jealousy, heartbreak, and violence.
Backstory
According to court documents, the incident occurred in July 2022, when Thompson, then two months pregnant, traveled from Queens, New York, to Tamarac, Florida, to confront Hodgins, a woman who was romantically involved with her former boyfriend. Thompson grew frustrated after Hodgins ignored her message on Instagram and blocked her.
At approximately 3 p.m. on July 13, 2022, authorities from the Broward County Sheriff’s Officereceived a call reporting an unresponsive woman inside her Tamarac, Florida, home. Deputies arrived to find Hodgins deceased at the scene. The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that she had sustained multiple stab wounds.
Following a detailed investigation, detectives identified Thompson as the primary suspect. A warrant for her arrest was issued on July 25, 2022, and she was later taken into custody by the New York Police Department in Springfield Gardens on August 3. She was subsequently extradited to Florida to face charges of first-degree murder.
During her trial, Thompson testified that she had “blacked out” during the confrontation and regained consciousness only to realize she had fatally stabbed Hodgins. “I was walking in the blood,” she told the court in Fort Lauderdale.
Thompson claimed she acted in self-defense, alleging that Hodgins had slashed her across the stomach with a hookah glass, saying, “I felt like she was trying to hurt my baby.” However, prosecutors argued that the attack was premeditated, noting that Thompson had harassed the victim prior to the killing and had traveled across states to confront her.
Authorities also revealed that after the stabbing, Thompson allegedly changed into Hodgins’ clothes, cleaned the crime scene, and disposed of evidence before fleeing.
Hodgins, who worked as a waitress, was remembered by loved ones as a kind and ambitious young woman whose life was senselessly cut short.
Since then, the anonymous former boyfriend has engaged himself to another woman. Meanwhile, Thompson will spend her life in bars, reflecting on her actions.
A Deeper Reflection: Lessons from Tragedy
This heartbreaking case serves as a painful reminder of how unchecked emotions, jealousy, and dependency in relationships can spiral into irreversible tragedy.
When faced with rejection or heartbreak, it’s essential to focus on self-love, emotional healing, and a much more positive perspective. The end of a relationship, no matter how painful, should never lead to violence or self-destruction.
Healing requires understanding that pain is temporary, that one’s worth isn’t defined by another person’s affection, and that love begins with self-acceptance. When individuals center their identity solely around romantic attachment, it can lead to unhealthy patterns and emotional instability.
True strength comes from realizing that you can rebuild, grow, and attain peace without needing validation from another person.
