Woman relieved after months-long investigation led to arrest in her husband’s murder case

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Nine months after her husband’s murder, a widow says she now takes some comfort in knowing that Charleston police have identified and arrested a suspect and will follow the case every step of the way.

Police charged Davon Laval Heyward with the shooting and killing of Byrant Lymont Powell in September 2023. Heyward was already in the Al Cannon Detention Center on similar charges when police executed the murder warrant on Monday.

Yolanda Shine Powell says the last few months have been tough.

“It’s been a whirlwind here, like a carousel and not in a nice way, you know. It’s been a difficult road that they’ve led me on. They’ve really changed my life,” says Shine Powell.

In the fall of 2023, Shine Powell spent her days asking the neighborhood to reveal everything they knew about the shooting.

But Shine Powell has not lived on Drake Street since her husband was murdered.

“I never went back. Everything that was there, I left there. But our memories remained there too. I just couldn’t go back there, so I gave up a place, a permanent place to live, so I could find peace of mind,” says Shine Powell.

She currently lives with her sister and says her grandchildren give her strength every day. She says she is moved to tears when she hears about other senseless deaths in the neighborhood.

She remembers Lymont Powell as a kind and loving grandfather who is sorely missed by many.

“We must stand together, stop the violence and build peace. Because people are dying, and they are dying senselessly. This was a 51-year-old grandfather. He was loved, he was a husband, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, and his life is over for nothing,” says Shine Powell.

Heyward is being held without bail on the violent murder charge. He is likely to appear for a bail hearing later in the year, but a date has not yet been set.

“I will not miss a court date, I will not miss a bail hearing. If you look around, you will see me, because you know who I am… I will not say I will not forgive you, but I will let you know that you are forgiven, but it is not forgotten. And you will get your day in court, and so will I,” Shine Powell says.

Despite the hardships Shine Powell has endured in the months since her husband’s death, she says she has hope for this case.

“I know who it was, but I really want to know why, because he was a good person. But I’ll probably never find out because I would never speak to the person personally. Everything happens for a reason. I don’t know the reason for what’s happening now, but we’re going to get justice, and that’s what it’s about,” says Shine Powell.

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