Shakeva Dixon and Maurice Langston Murder-Suicide Durham, NC: In Loving Memory Of 27-Year-Old Mother Of 3 Killed In Incident Off Crest Street; “Dixon wanted to be a great mother”

DURHAM, N.C. — Durham police are investigating what they believe to be a murder-suicide after a man and woman were found dead from gunshot wounds inside an apartment early Wednesday morning.

Police identified the victims as Shakeva Dixon, 27, of Durham, and Maurice Langston, 36, of Goldsboro. Officers were called to an apartment off Crest Street, where both were discovered deceased inside the residence. According to investigators, preliminary findings indicate the incident appears to be a murder-suicide.

Authorities said Dixon and Langston were formerly in a relationship and shared two children together. Family members confirmed the couple was not married. Dixon was also the mother of a third child whose father was not Langston.

ShaRena Steeple, Dixon’s cousin, said Dixon had recently moved into the apartment where the shooting occurred in hopes of starting over. Steeple said Dixon was attempting to leave the relationship and was focused on building a better life for her children.

“She wanted to be a great mother,” Steeple said. “She dreamed of having a stable family.”

According to Steeple, Dixon and her two daughters were inside the Durham apartment when Langston arrived. She described Dixon as a kind and supportive person who cared deeply about others and was devoted to her role as a mother.

“She had a genuine spirit,” Steeple said. “She wanted to see everyone succeed, and she wanted to be there for all three of her girls.”

On Wednesday, reporters observed a heavy police presence at the Crestview Apartments complex. Crime scene tape surrounded one unit as forensic investigators spent hours collecting evidence. Officers photographed the interior of the apartment, the entrance, and a vehicle parked nearby as part of the investigation.

Durham police said detectives remained on the scene for more than nine hours and emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. No additional details about the circumstances of the shooting or the sequence of events have been released at this time.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking support is encouraged to contact local resources or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).