Adam Bennefield: He Brutally Murdered His Enstranged Wife, Ke'Aira Hudson, in Front Of Her Kids

In 2022, a devastating crime in Buffalo, New York, shattered a family’s lives and sent shockwaves through the entire community.

Adam Bennefield, a man with a history of domestic violence, committed an unspeakable act.

He brutally murdered his estranged wife, Ke’Aira Hudson, in front of her three young children. 

This true crime story captured headlines and raised critical questions about systemic failures in addressing domestic violence cases.

Now sentenced to 25 years to life, Adam Bennefield's case remains a harrowing reminder of the dangers of unchecked violence.

But what really happened? 

Adam Bennefield

Who is Adam Bennefield?

Adam Bennefield, a 47-year-old man from Cheektowaga, New York, had a history of violence and criminal behavior. 

Before the events of 2022, he served 15 years in prison for kidnapping two women, including an ex-girlfriend. 

This troubling past made him a known figure to local police departments. 

Despite his violent history, Adam Bennefield later began a relationship with Ke’Aira Hudson after his release. 

By 2022, the relationship had turned toxic, marked by allegations of domestic violence. 

Hudson's family revealed that she lived in constant fear, hoping to escape the abuse that ultimately led to her death.

Ke'Aira Hudson

How Did Adam Bennefield Murder His Wife, Ke'Aira Hudson?

On October 4, 2022, just one day before the murder, Adam Bennefield was in court for allegedly assaulting Hudson and posting it on Facebook.

Despite the allegations, he was released with an order of protection—which turned out to be a fatal decision. 

The very next morning, on October 5, 2022, Adam Bennefield executed a chilling and deliberate act of violence. 

According to official reports, he intentionally crashed his pickup truck into Hudson’s car while she was parked at an intersection on Richlawn and Shawnee Avenues.

Inside the vehicle were her three children, including an infant, who witnessed the horrific event firsthand.

After the crash, Adam Bennefield exited his truck, approached Hudson, and fatally shot her in the head with a shotgun. 

Ke’Aira was wearing a bulletproof vest, but the shot to her head proved fatal.  

Sadly, she died on the scene, just feet away from her kids.

This senseless act of brutality not only ended Ke’Aira’s life but also left her children traumatized, having witnessed the murder of their mother.

During Bennefield's trial, Ke’Aira’s mother, Tammie Hudson, tearfully shared, “She will never see her son walk or hear his first words. As a mother, you can’t even imagine burying your child.”

Adam Bennefield and Ke'Aira Hudson before the murder

Criminal Investigation into Ke’Aira Hudson's Murder

Ke’Aira Hudson's murder sparked an immediate response from law enforcement. 

An arrest warrant for Adam Bennefield was issued shortly after the killing. 

The Buffalo Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, apprehended Bennefield a few days later.

Criminal Investigators confirmed that the crime was premeditated, as he had violated the order of protection issued just days before the killing

Just a day before the murder, Bennefield was arrested for assaulting Ke’Aira but was released due to non-qualifying charges under New York’s bail reform laws. 

However, after Ke’Aira Hudson's death, Adams Bennefield's release sparked outrage, leading to a wrongful death lawsuit from Hudson’s family.

They argue that the Cheektowaga Police Department's lack of effective intervention contributed to Hudson's tragic death.

Adam Bennefield was eventually charged with second-degree murder, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated criminal contempt.

Adam Bennefield's sentencing

Adam Bennefield Trial and Sentencing

Adam Bennefield's trial began in November 2024.

During the trial, prosecutors presented damning evidence of his calculated and violent actions.

The jury took less than an hour to convict him of second-degree murder, aggravated criminal contempt, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

During the sentencing Bennefield attempted to disrupt the court, claiming bias and questioning the legality of his conviction. 

He claimed that having an all-white jury to decide his punishment violated his rights.

However, Judge M. William Boller disagreed.

He firmly silenced him, stating, “You’re here because the jury convicted you of brutally killing your wife.”

In the end, the judge sentenced Bennefield to 25 years to life in prison, ensuring he would never harm another person again. 

He also received additional sentences for criminal contempt and child endangerment, with fines totaling $8,000

“He should never walk free,” Ke’Aira’s mother asserted, echoing the sentiments of a grieving family.

The diligent efforts of the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies ensured Bennefield faced justice.

However, the loss of Ke'Aira Hudson remains a painful scar for her family and the community.

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