New York Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Traveling to Florida and Killing Ex’s New Girlfriend in Jealous Rage
FLORIDA — A New York woman has been sentenced to life in prison for a brutal and premeditated killing that shocked two states. Authorities say 31-year-old Sakiyna Thompson traveled from New York to South Florida in July 2022 and fatally stabbed her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson, in an attack prosecutors described as driven by jealousy and obsession.
According to court documents, Thompson flew to Florida to confront Hodgson “woman to woman” about her relationship with Thompson’s former partner. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence when Thompson stabbed Hodgson multiple times inside her residence. Investigators said she then changed into Hodgson’s clothes, attempted to clean the scene, and left without alerting the authorities.
The Fatal Encounter and Aftermath
Prosecutors revealed during trial that Thompson had been “jealous and insecure” over her ex-boyfriend’s new relationship. Witness testimony and forensic evidence confirmed that Hodgson suffered dozens of stab wounds in what investigators called a crime of rage and control.
After the killing, Thompson reportedly tried to conceal her involvement, with authorities uncovering DNA and digital trail evidence linking her directly to the crime scene.
Thompson was arrested shortly after, and during her trial, she claimed self-defense, saying that she had blacked out during the confrontation and had been two months pregnant at the time. However, prosecutors rejected that claim, pointing to clear premeditation and deliberate travel plans made days before the attack.
“This was not a moment of panic — it was a calculated act of violence,” prosecutors said during closing arguments. “She flew across state lines with intent to confront, and she chose murder over reason.”
Body-Cam Footage and Family Reaction
Police body-cam footage released during the sentencing showed officers notifying Hodgson’s family of her death — a heartbreaking moment that spread widely on social media following Thompson’s conviction.
Family members described Kayla as bright, compassionate, and ambitious, saying her life was “stolen over jealousy and obsession.”
Life Sentence Handed Down
A Florida judge sentenced Thompson to life in prison without the possibility of parole, closing a case that drew national attention due to its shocking nature and interstate circumstances.
The sentencing brings a grim end to a case that blended personal betrayal, domestic jealousy, and extreme violence — with prosecutors calling it a reminder of how quickly emotional obsession can turn deadly.
“Justice has finally been served for Kayla,” said one family member following the verdict. “We pray no other family ever has to experience something like this again.”
Thompson remains in custody at a Florida state correctional facility, with her defense attorneys indicating no immediate plans to appeal.
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