TikTok tip leads to arrest of killer in 2021 Florida murder case

Sumesh Rajan

14 January 2025

 

St. Petersburg, Florida, US resident Eleni Peca received a phone call she thought might never come: the man accused of killing her only daughter, Joana Peca, had finally been apprehended after three years.

US Marshals captured Benjamin Robert “Bambi” Williams in Mexico City following a tip generated by a TikTok video. The video, posted by true-crime influencer Jasmeen Alexander, featured a news story about the case and a photo of the suspect. The footage reached someone in Mexico, who alerted authorities.

Williams, extradited to the US, is now in custody at Pinellas County Jail, facing charges of first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse.

A Tragic Day in St. Petersburg

On July 31, 2021, Joana Peca was fatally shot while sitting in her van at a cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida. She had brought her 4-month-old baby to meet Williams, her estranged boyfriend, who had asked to see the child. Detectives said Williams used this as a pretext to lure her to the location.

As Peca held the infant, Williams approached the van and shot her multiple times on the face. Her 4-year-old son witnessed the horrific event from the backseat but was unharmed.

Peca’s mother, Eleni, later recounted her grandson’s desperate attempt to help his mother. “He told me, ‘I tried to clean blood on her face, but my hands were too small,’” she said.

A Long Search Ends with a Tip

After the shooting, Williams fled the country. Police, US Marshals, and other agencies collaborated on the case, offering a $25,000 reward for information. The case even aired on “In Pursuit with John Walsh” in 2022, which described Williams’ distinctive features, including a scar on his nose.

The breakthrough came in November 2023, when someone in Mexico recognized Williams in Alexander’s TikTok video and contacted Crime Stoppers and the US Embassy. Authorities discovered Williams living in Mexico City under a fake name, frequently moving and nearly homeless.

Relief for a Grieving Family

Eleni Peca described the moment she learned of the arrest as a mix of happiness and pain. “I couldn’t believe it. I kept asking, ‘Are you sure?’” she said during a news conference.

She expressed gratitude for the arrest, calling it a glimmer of hope after years of heartbreak. “Benjamin Williams’ freedom is over,” she said. “He took my only child’s life in front of her children. Now, justice will be served.”

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway reassured the family, saying, “Nothing can replace your loss, but we’ve taken a dangerous person off the streets. The community and your family are safer now.”

The Power of Social Media

Alexander, whose video led to Williams’ identification, called the incident a testament to the power of platforms like TikTok. “Your video can make an impact, even years later,” she said.

She added, “My heart goes out to Joana’s family. I hope this arrest brings them some measure of closure.”

This case highlights how social media can play an unexpected but vital role in achieving justice, providing hope for grieving families and communities.