DeKalb County: Royce Stewart sentenced to life for murdering sister’s fiancé, 14-year-old niece in 2018

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Royce Stewart, 42, was sentenced today, April 10, to life in prison plus 35 years for the double stabbing murders of his sister’s fiancé and Stewart’s 14-year-ol niece.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the  conviction by guilty plea in the case against Stewart.

Stewart pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, three counts of Aggravated Assault, Theft by Taking and Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony. He was convicted for the March 25, 2018 murders of his sister’s fiancé, Manuel Santos, 35, and Stewart’s 14-year-old niece, Shykia Ward-Reese, who was a student  at Beacon Hill Middle School.

Stewart had been deemed mentally incompetent to face trial until February of this year.

According to the investigation, Stewart had been staying at his sister’s unit at the Trinity Walk Apartments for about a week.  On March 25, 2018, around 9 a.m., Stewart’s sister was in her bathroom when she heard a struggle and saw her brother stabbing Santos in her bedroom.  Stewart’s sister tried to intervene and was cut.  She then dialed 911.

Stewart took his sister’s car keys and drove off in her silver Mustang.

Stewart’s sister met the police and paramedics outside. She noticed that her daughter’s bedroom door was closed and thought the 14-year-old was hiding from the commotion. When police went inside the apartment, however, they found the girl deceased in her bed with multiple stab wounds.

Police tracked down and arrested Stewart the next day and he remained in custody.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie sentenced Stewart.

The case was prosecuted by Director of Major Crimes Lance Cross, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Emily Donkervoet, District Attorney Investigator Sam Woolwine, and Supervising Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong.  Decatur Police Department Sgt. Hensel led the initial investigation.

Pictured: Royce Stewart /Photo via DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office