Tragic Ending: A Mother's Heartbreaking Demise at the Hands of Her Ex-Lover

In a shocking turn of events, a man was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend and leaving her body in a car that sank into the Sacramento River, with her four young children inside. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many to grapple with the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the fragility of human life.

A Chilling Tale of Betrayal and Tragedy

The Fateful Encounter

On July 27, 2020, in West Sacramento, a witness reported seeing Mandiko Kwadzo and his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, Carliena Clayton, engaged in a heated argument in the driveway of her home. Moments later, Clayton was seen getting into a car with her four children, with Kwadzo joining them in the passenger seat as they drove away.

The Deadly Shooting

According to prosecutors, as the car was in motion, Kwadzo shot Clayton twice in the head, killing her in front of her horrified children. The car then careened over a levee and plunged into the Sacramento River, with Kwadzo managing to escape the sinking vehicle.

The Heroic Rescue Attempt

A man at Cliff's Marina in Sacramento heard the commotion and witnessed the car crashing into the river. He immediately called for help, and he and his friend rushed to the scene, where they saw Kwadzo standing nearby, doing nothing to assist the victims. The two men then heroically rescued the four children from the submerging car, but tragically, Carliena Clayton was already unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Aftermath and Conviction

Kwadzo was arrested at the scene, and the oldest child later told officers that he had shot their mother. Prosecutors charged Kwadzo with murder, using a firearm in the commission of the crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. This week, a jury convicted Kwadzo, and he now faces a sentence of 53 years to life in prison.

The Devastating Impact

Carliena Clayton's friend, Aseanijanique White, expressed the profound grief and disbelief felt by those who knew and loved her. "Carliena lost her life by somebody she was sleeping with every single night, so you never know what's going through someone's head," White said.The tragedy has left the community grappling with the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the fragility of human life. As the case unfolds, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing the underlying issues that can lead to such senseless acts of violence, and the need for greater support and resources for victims of abuse.