HOUSTON, Texas — Sisters Kamania Gray and Tonja Mercer did their first interview following the fatal shooting of Tonja’s twin, Keyanna, with KHOU 11 News.
"It’s been, it’s been tough,” said Gray from their home in Massachusetts.
"Our birthday is in February," said Mercer. "Something we missed celebrating together this year."
They said they’ve missed out on a lot since Keyanna was killed last September at a Red Carpet Inn off the Southwest Freeway in Houston.
30-year-old suspect Joshua Zimmerman was finally captured Wednesday near the DNC in Chicago following an hours-long standoff with SWAT officers.
“I want them to lock him away somewhere dark and not let him out," said Gray. "And that’s the nicest thing that I can say.”
Investigators said Zimmerman was tracked to Chicago more than two months after escaping custody in DeSoto County, Mississippi where he faced several charges, not to mention extradition back to Houston for Mercer’s murder.
Her sisters believe the young mother had been held against her will after leaving Connecticut with Zimmerman weeks before.
"We were told he was on house arrest, cut his ankle monitor off and after that didn’t know anything about their whereabouts or what the situation was,” said Mercer.
Zimmerman is accused of using a string of aliases while changing his looks occasionally.
He was reportedly working at the Chicago restaurant where he was arrested.
"We don’t want any rock to remain unturned when it comes to the investigation," said Gray. "He does not deserve to be out or ruin anyone else’s life.”
The sisters believe Zimmerman had to have help escaping custody in Mississippi and making his way to Chicago.
It’s unclear what led him and Mercer to the hotel in Houston.