The killing of 33-year-old Sherry Dawson at a northeast Houston storage facility has drawn attention not only because of its violence but also because of the alleged criminal dealings that investigators believe led directly to her death. Court documents outline a sequence of events rooted in drug trafficking, financial betrayal, and escalating retaliation, culminating in a fatal shooting that authorities say was intended as revenge for a failed cocaine deal.
Although Dawson herself was not accused of direct involvement in the transaction, police believe she became a target because of her close relationship with a man who admitted to stealing $125,000 from a drug buyer. The suspect charged with murder, Kip Stitts of Detroit, remains at large, and the case continues to unfold as investigators piece together surveillance footage, phone records, and witness statements.
The incident occurred in November at a storage unit along the Eastex Freeway, a location that on the surface appeared unremarkable but would later become central to a homicide investigation. According to police, the events of that morning were captured in part on surveillance cameras, providing critical visual evidence that has shaped the case against Stitts. The footage, combined with admissions made by Dawson’s common-law husband and subsequent investigative findings, has allowed authorities to reconstruct what they believe was a calculated act of violence tied to a drug-related financial dispute.
Events Leading to the Killing at the Eastex Freeway Storage Unit
Investigators say Sherry Dawson arrived at a storage unit in northeast Houston on the morning of November 5, unaware that she was being followed. Surveillance video reportedly shows a pickup truck trailing her into the facility. What happens next, according to detectives, unfolds rapidly and violently. Dawson is seen exiting her vehicle, after which she appears to fall to the ground. The footage then shows a struggle between Dawson and an individual believed to be the suspect. She manages to stand briefly before collapsing again as the pickup truck drives away.
Police have stated that Dawson was shot during this encounter, though specific forensic details have not been publicly released. Emergency responders later pronounced her dead at the scene. The apparent lack of any attempt to rob her or take personal property reinforced investigators’ belief that the shooting was not random but targeted.
Within hours of the killing, Dawson’s common-law husband spoke with police and identified Kip Stitts as someone who could be connected to the crime. According to court documents, the husband described Stitts as a former friend and business associate, a relationship that had deteriorated following a series of drug-related transactions. This early identification of a suspect gave investigators a starting point, particularly as they began to examine the broader context surrounding Dawson’s death.
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Later that same day, police stopped a vehicle registered to Stitts in Atascocita, a community northeast of Houston. Stitts, however, was not inside the vehicle at the time of the stop. This encounter raised further questions about his whereabouts and movements immediately following the killing. The following day, investigators reported that Stitts’ cellphone began pinging in Detroit, suggesting he had left Texas shortly after the homicide. This rapid change in location has been cited by police as a key factor in their assessment that Stitts fled the area after the shooting.
The $125,000 Cocaine Deal and Alleged Double Cross
Central to the case is an alleged cocaine transaction that went wrong weeks before the murder. According to court documents, Dawson’s common-law husband admitted to being involved in drug trafficking and described how Stitts became entangled in a high-value deal. The husband told investigators that he had introduced Stitts to a cocaine supplier, establishing a connection that would later unravel.
At some point, Stitts allegedly informed Dawson’s husband that he planned to rob the supplier. Rather than warning Stitts away or disengaging from the situation, Dawson’s husband and the supplier reportedly devised their own scheme. According to police, they planned to steal from Stitts instead, effectively turning the tables on him. This decision, investigators say, set off a chain reaction that ultimately led to Dawson’s death.
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Court documents state that Stitts paid $125,000 for a shipment of cocaine approximately one month before the killing. The drugs were never delivered. From Stitts’ perspective, the money was gone, and the individuals he trusted to complete the transaction had disappeared with it. For investigators, this missing $125,000 became a critical motive in understanding why Dawson was targeted.
Dawson’s husband told police that roughly two weeks before the murder, he learned that Stitts was actively looking for him. He expressed fear that retaliation was imminent. According to his statement, he believed Stitts blamed him directly for the loss of the money and that Dawson was killed as a result of this financial betrayal. Investigators appear to agree with this assessment, citing the timing of the deal, the subsequent search for Dawson’s husband, and the targeted nature of the shooting.
The alleged double cross highlights the volatile dynamics often present in illicit drug transactions, where large sums of money change hands without legal protections or formal enforcement mechanisms. In such environments, disputes are frequently settled through intimidation or violence rather than negotiation or legal recourse. Police have suggested that the killing of Dawson fits this pattern, representing an act of vengeance meant to punish or pressure her partner for the stolen funds.
The Investigation, Charges, and Search for Kip Stitts
Following weeks of investigation, Kip Stitts was formally charged with murder in connection with Sherry Dawson’s death. The charge was announced Friday, months after the shooting, indicating that authorities had gathered sufficient evidence to present the case to prosecutors. Despite the charge, Stitts has not been apprehended, and police have acknowledged that he remains a fugitive.
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Investigators have relied on a combination of surveillance footage, vehicle records, phone data, and witness statements to build their case. The storage unit video, in particular, has been described as a key piece of evidence, capturing the moments before, during, and after the fatal encounter. While the footage does not provide a clear view of the suspect’s face, police say it corroborates other evidence linking Stitts to the scene.
The cellphone data showing Stitts’ phone pinging in Detroit the day after the murder has also been significant. Authorities believe this supports the conclusion that he left Texas shortly after the killing, potentially to evade arrest. Law enforcement agencies are now working across jurisdictions to locate him, and his status as a murder suspect means he could face extradition if found outside Texas.
The case has also raised questions about the role of Dawson’s common-law husband, who admitted to participating in drug trafficking and to stealing money from Stitts. While his statements have been central to establishing motive, police have not announced any charges against him related to the homicide. Court documents suggest he has cooperated with investigators, but the full extent of his legal exposure remains unclear.
For the family and friends of Sherry Dawson, the legal process offers little immediate comfort. She was not accused of orchestrating the drug deal or stealing the money, yet investigators believe she paid the ultimate price for actions taken by someone close to her. The case underscores how violence linked to organized crime and drug trafficking often extends beyond those directly involved, affecting partners, families, and bystanders.
As the search for Kip Stitts continues, police have urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. The charge against him represents a significant step in the pursuit of justice for Dawson, but until he is taken into custody, the case remains unresolved. The investigation stands as a stark reminder of how quickly financial disputes in the criminal underworld can escalate into lethal violence, leaving lasting consequences for all involved.