Court records reveal twisted motive in Seabrook mother's murder as suspect search continues

Authorities are looking for 22-year-old suspect Dawayland Hurst
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
SEABROOK, Texas (KTRK) -- A 22-year-old man killed a young mother in Seabrook to avenge the murder of his half-brother, according to court records made public this week.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Dawayland Hurst for the murder of MaryJayne Collins, 23. Collins had two sons under the age of 10 who may have been witnesses, police said.

According to court records, Hurst's half-brother was killed by Michael King in 2020. King had a son with Collins, who started dating Hurst in June.

In the days before her murder, she told friends Hurst was abusing her and showed them injuries, records state.

On Oct. 4, after Collins had moved into a new apartment, the violence escalated, court records state, when King somehow made a video call from prison.



Hurst was present and taunted King before slapping King's son, which was captured on the video and sent to friends. Collins' body was found later that morning by police. She had been stabbed to death. Her boys were scared, but safe.

All of the events led police to conclude that Hurst was "motivated to revenge the death of his brother" and "thus, befriended, abused and then murdered the victim who was the mother of Michael King's children."

Collins' family tells ABC13 they want justice for her and that "Hurst needs to be arrested."

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Seabrook police or Crime Stoppers.

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