A routine errand in the dense woods near Pace, Florida, turned into a pivotal moment for investigators on December 4, 2025, when a local man stumbled upon the remains of 14-year-old Danika Troy. The discovery not only shed light on a missing person’s case but also led to charges against the finder himself, alongside two juvenile suspects already in custody. As the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office pieces together the events leading to Danika’s tragic passing, questions about community safety, youthful decisions, and immediate responsibilities in crisis situations continue to echo through this tight-knit suburb.
Pace, a serene community in Santa Rosa County, about 15 miles east of Pensacola, is known for its family-oriented neighborhoods, sprawling parks, and low-key Southern charm. With a population hovering around 22,000, it’s the kind of place where kids ride scooters to school and families gather for Friday night football games. Yet, beneath this facade of normalcy, the events of late November and early December 2025 exposed vulnerabilities that residents hadn’t anticipated. Danika Troy, a bright-eyed eighth-grader at Pace Middle School, embodied the innocence of adolescence—outgoing, artistic, and full of dreams about becoming a veterinarian or a graphic designer. Her social media profiles, now frozen in time, brimmed with selfies from beach outings, doodles of her favorite animals, and posts about her latest crushes. Friends described her as the type who lit up a room, always quick with a joke or a helping hand during group projects.
Danika’s family life, while not without its typical teenage challenges, revolved around strong bonds. Her mother, Ashley Troy, a single parent working as a medical assistant in nearby Pensacola, had raised Danika with a mix of discipline and affection. Ashley often shared stories of their weekend baking sessions or drives to the Gulf Coast for sunset watching. “She was my everything—curious, kind, and always chasing the next adventure,” Ashley told local reporters in the days following the incident. But on the evening of November 30, 2025, that adventure took a fateful turn. Danika, who had been grounded for sneaking out a week earlier to meet friends, slipped away from home around 10 p.m. Her phone’s last ping placed her near a wooded trail off Kimberly Road, a secluded spot popular for hiking but rarely patrolled after dark.
By 7 a.m. the next morning, December 1, Ashley awoke to an empty bed and a note scribbled on Danika’s desk: “Be back soon, Mom. Love you.” Panic set in quickly. Ashley called the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, reporting her daughter as a runaway—a classification that, in Florida, triggers a 24-hour wait before full missing-person protocols kick in for juveniles. Deputies canvassed the neighborhood, interviewing neighbors and checking Danika’s social media for clues. What they uncovered painted a picture of a girl navigating the complexities of middle school romance. Danika had confided in friends about her feelings for a classmate, exchanging messages that hinted at excitement and naivety.
As hours stretched into days, the search intensified. Volunteers from Pace’s community center distributed flyers emblazoned with Danika’s smiling photo, while local businesses posted alerts on their windows. The Sheriff’s Office deployed drones over the wooded areas and reviewed surveillance footage from nearby gas stations. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson, a veteran lawman with over three decades in uniform, addressed the media on December 2, urging the public to come forward with tips. “We’re treating this as a high-priority case,” Johnson said during a press briefing. “Danika is someone’s daughter, and we’re pulling out all stops.” Unbeknownst to searchers, the trail had gone cold in the most heartbreaking way possible.
The breakthrough came unexpectedly on December 4, around 2 p.m., when 42-year-old Mitchell Eddins, a Pace resident and part-time mechanic, pulled his truck off Kimberly Road for a personal break. Eddins, described by neighbors as a quiet family man with two kids of his own, later recounted to investigators that he first spotted a black scooter propped against a tree—unusual in the underbrush. Curiosity drew him closer, and that’s when he made the grim find: Danika’s remains, partially concealed by brush and foliage. According to the arrest affidavit, Eddins froze for several minutes, processing the scene before deciding to take the scooter, believing it might belong to the victim and could serve as evidence later.
Instead of dialing 911 immediately, Eddins drove the five miles back to his trailer on Spartan Drive, parking the scooter in his driveway. He mentioned the discovery casually to a couple of neighbors over the fence, who expressed shock and insisted he contact authorities. One neighbor, speaking anonymously to the Pensacola News Journal, recalled, “He seemed rattled, like he didn’t know what to do. We told him straight up: Call the cops now.” Eddins demurred, claiming he planned to report it the next day. It wasn’t until deputies, following up on unrelated tips, canvassed the area and spotted the scooter at his home that the pieces fell into place. Officers seized the item—confirmed as Danika’s through serial number matching—and questioned Eddins. He cooperated fully, leading them to the exact location.
By evening, forensic teams had secured the site, confirming the identity through dental records and personal effects found nearby, including Danika’s phone and a charm bracelet her mother had given her for her 13th birthday. The cause of death was later determined to be from multiple impacts, with accelerant traces indicating an attempt to conceal the scene. Eddins faced swift charges: petty theft for the scooter, valued at under $750, and failure to report a death, a misdemeanor under Florida Statute 382.013. He was released on $2,000 bond the following day and has a court date set for January 15, 2026. In a statement to FOX10 News, Eddins’ attorney emphasized, “My client was in shock and acted impulsively. He had every intention of coming forward and is devastated by this loss.”
The discovery propelled the investigation into overdrive, quickly zeroing in on two of Danika’s classmates: 16-year-old Gabriel Coleman Williams and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins. Both attended Pace Middle School and had been part of Danika’s social circle, sharing classes in art and science. Detectives pieced together a timeline from phone records, witness statements, and confessions obtained during interviews on December 4.
According to affidavits, the pair had contacted Danika via Snapchat late on November 30, inviting her to meet up for a “surprise hangout” near the woods. Williams, described as outgoing and athletic, had been the object of Danika’s admiration for months; she had even doodled his initials in her notebook, as classmates later shared. Blevins, quieter and more reserved, was a tag-along in their group chats. The messages, recovered from Danika’s phone, showed her excitement: “Can’t wait! This is gonna be epic.”
Once in the woods, events escalated rapidly. Williams and Blevins allegedly confronted Danika over a perceived slight—a blocked social media account and some unkind online comments, according to initial statements from Blevins. What began as an argument reportedly turned into a premeditated act, with the duo carrying out a plan they had discussed in private messages days earlier. After the incident, they attempted to obscure the area using materials found on site, then fled on foot, returning to their homes by midnight. Williams’ mother, alerted by his late arrival, grounded him without knowing the gravity; Blevins, living with extended family, slipped in unnoticed.
Tips from school counselors and anonymous classmates led deputies to the boys’ doorsteps by midday on December 4. Both were taken into custody without resistance. In separate interrogations, they provided conflicting accounts, but key details aligned with physical evidence. Williams faces first-degree premeditated charges, while Blevins is accused of principal involvement. Neither has entered a plea as of December 15, and due to their ages, proceedings are in juvenile court—for now. Sheriff Johnson has petitioned the state attorney’s office to transfer the case to adult court, arguing, “These actions demand accountability at the highest level. Youth or not, the impact on a family is irreversible.”
The Pace community has rallied in the wake of the tragedy. A candlelight vigil held on December 8 at the middle school football field drew over 500 residents, many wearing purple—Danika’s favorite color. Ashley Troy spoke briefly through tears, thanking the community for their support and asking for privacy as she grieves. Local churches have organized meal trains and counseling sessions, while Pace Middle School brought in extra grief counselors for students. Principal Laura Jones told reporters, “Our kids are hurting. We’re focusing on healing together.”
Social media has played a dual role in the case. While it helped investigators trace Danika’s final hours, it has also amplified the pain for her family. Fake rumors and cruel comments circulated in the days after the arrests, prompting Ashley to temporarily deactivate her accounts. Community moderators on local Facebook groups have worked overtime to remove harmful posts and promote verified updates from the Sheriff’s Office.
Legal experts say the case against Eddins is straightforward but carries an important lesson. Florida law requires immediate reporting of a death, regardless of circumstances, to preserve evidence and dignity. Defense attorney Mark O’Mara, who has handled high-profile Florida cases, noted, “Shock can cloud judgment, but the law doesn’t make exceptions. Still, prosecutors rarely pursue harsh penalties in situations like this.” Eddins, who has no prior criminal record, is expected to resolve his charges with community service or a small fine.
For the two juvenile suspects, the path ahead is far more complex. Florida law allows children as young as 14 to be tried as adults for serious offenses, and Sheriff Johnson has made clear his intent to seek that route. State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden confirmed her office is reviewing the evidence, with a decision expected by early January. Both teens remain in secure juvenile detention, with restricted visitation. Their families have declined media interviews, asking for privacy.
As Pace heads into the holiday season, the usual festive lights and neighborhood parades feel subdued. Danika’s classmates have started a memorial garden at the school, planting purple flowers and placing a bench engraved with her name. Ashley Troy plans to attend the first planting ceremony next week, carrying forward her daughter’s love for animals by donating to a local shelter in her memory.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly ordinary teenage moments—late-night messages, crushes, and misunderstandings—can spiral in unexpected ways. It has also sparked conversations among parents about monitoring online activity and open communication. Pace Middle School announced new digital-safety workshops for January, inviting parents and students to learn together.
Investigators continue to process evidence, including additional phone data and forensic results. While the core facts appear established, minor details may still emerge as the legal process unfolds. For now, the community holds its breath, supporting the Troy family and hoping for justice that brings some measure of closure.
Danika Troy’s short life touched many in Pace. Her laughter in the hallways, her colorful artwork taped to classroom walls, and her dreams of helping animals will not be forgotten. As one friend wrote on a memorial post, “She was the kind of person who made every day brighter.” In a town forever changed, that brightness endures in the memories of those who knew her best.
