A Florida teen who was reported missing two years ago has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting. Grace Elizabeth Faye Landa is now charged with murder after a man was killed in Durham.
Teen Girl Arrested for Murder After Two Years of Being Missing
Grace Elizabeth Faye Landa, an 18-year-old woman who had been missing for two years, was arrested on August 19, 2025, in connection with a deadly shooting in Durham, North Carolina. The incident occurred on May 30, when two women and one man were shot in a vehicle on Rowemont Drive, near Whippoorwill Park.
The Shooting Incident
The shooting took place around midnight and left 23-year-old Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez dead from his injuries. The two women who were also shot survived, though it is unclear if Landa was involved in shooting them. Authorities have not confirmed whether she was in the car at the time of the shooting, but she has been charged with the murder of Piedrasanta-Perez.
Landa’s Mysterious Disappearance
Landa was reported missing from her home in Tampa, Florida, on June 27, 2023, when she was just 16 years old. While authorities had no solid leads, they suspected she had been traveling to Durham during her time away. Now, after two years, Landa is facing charges for the death of Piedrasanta-Perez.
Family Reacts to the Tragedy
Piedrasanta-Perez’s mother, Amalia, has shared her grief with local media. She described her son as a kind and fun-loving individual who was always smiling. “He was my first baby. Since everything happened, there’s not been a day where I don’t go see his grave. It’s been so hard,” she said.
Amalia also expressed concerns about the unknowns surrounding her son’s death, questioning why his car was targeted. “Why his car? That’s literally my car, the one I drive every day,” she said. While other suspects are still at large, Amalia finds some solace in knowing one suspect has been arrested.
Legal Proceedings
Landa is currently held without bond at the Durham County Jail. She made her first court appearance earlier this week and is scheduled to return to court on September 11.
