Police arrest suspect in seventeen-year-old cold case surrounding the 2008 murder of Danick Patrick

Nearly 17 years after the tragic killing of 18-year-old Danick Marie Adams outside a local gym, the Jacksonville Police Department has announced a major breakthrough: the arrest of 42-year-old Lavelle Demario Calvin of Memphis, Tennessee, on charges of Capital Murder.

The arrest marks a pivotal moment in a case that has haunted the Adams family and the Jacksonville community since August 15, 2008. That night, Danick—--a young mother with dreams of becoming a teacher or psychologist--was gunned down outside Ultimate Fitness, a gym owned by her grandfather.

She had gone there late in the evening with a friend, known only as “Princess,” reportedly to use the tanning beds and do makeup.

According to police reports, a masked gunman approached the two women as they exited the gym, demanding their phones and money. When Danick refused, the man allegedly removed his mask, shot her five times, and fled in her white Cadillac. The vehicle was later seen circling the crime scene, but the driver escaped on foot. A female passenger remained and cooperated with police.

Despite early leads--including the recovery of Danick’s phone from a man who claimed to have bought it for five dollars—the case went cold. Over the years, questions lingered about the inconsistencies in Princess’ account and the possibility that Danick had been lured to the gym under false pretenses.

The case remained unsolved until this week, when Jacksonville Police, with the support of the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office, arrested Calvin in Memphis. The case has since been sealed by the court, and no further details have been released.

Jacksonville Police Chief Brett Hibbs credited the arrest to the tireless efforts of detectives--especially Detective Cindy Harbour, who originally led the investigation. Though she retired in 2021, Harbour returned as an auxiliary officer to continue pursuing the case she refused to let go.

“This arrest is a testament to the power of perseverance,” said Chief Hibbs. “It’s a moment of justice long overdue.”

Danick’s mother, Amy Adams, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow. “I’m just so thankful and so happy… but at the same time, I just want to scream and cry,” she told reporters. “Now I have a name to put with that. That’s different. Because there has always been a ‘Who? Why?’”

Mayor Jeff Elmore also acknowledged the emotional weight of the case. “There were a lot of people emotionally involved in this who knew Danick,” he said. “This has been very long in the making--just a couple months short of 17 years”.