Missouri Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Killing Pregnant Woman and Her Unborn Child

A 35-year-old Kansas City man, Emmett C. Williams, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.

This follows his guilty plea for the murder of a 22-year-old woman and her unborn child. 

Williams admitted to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action related to the fatal shooting of Shayla Curts.

Shayla Curts

On December 6, 2022, Williams fatally shot Curts in the head.

The tragic incident happened at a residence located in the 4900 block of Bellefontaine Avenue. 

According to court documents, Williams told police that Curts had often antagonized him with her words.

But on that day, he walked past her as she sat on the couch and shot her with a 9mm handgun.

Williams later stated that he typically ignored Curts’ insults.

However, he claimed that certain factors led him to “snap” that day.

He said he had recently struggled with emotional distress due to the loss of several family members and his own mental health issues, compounded by drug use.

The shooting resulted in the death of both Curts and her unborn baby, whom she had named Soleil.

Shayla Curts and her child

At approximately 8:00 PM, police responded to the scene and found Curts deceased on the couch with a gunshot wound to the head. 

A spent shell casing from a 9mm Luger was located nearby. 

A witness, who had been in the home with Williams and Curts earlier that evening, reported hearing a single gunshot shortly after Williams had said he was leaving. 

The witness discovered Curts' body and saw someone running from the scene.

Williams later contacted police at around 4:15 AM and confessed to the shooting. 

He led investigators to a wooded area where he claimed to have lost his gun and other belongings after fleeing the scene. 

The firearm and other evidence were recovered during the search.

Emmett C. Williams

Shayla Curts is remembered fondly by her family and friends. 

According to her obituary, she was a loving mother of two daughters and had a vibrant personality. 

“She lit up every room she walked into with her charismatic free spirit,” it read. 

Her loved ones will cherish the memories of her humor, kindness, and generosity.

Williams' sentence reflects the gravity of his actions, as he now faces four decades in prison for the senseless act of violence that claimed two lives.