South Bend, IN – A South Bend man has been charged in connection with the 2020 homicide of a 19-year-old woman, authorities confirmed this week.
According to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, Brandon McLeod-James, 36, of South Bend, was charged on October 28, 2025, with murder and felony firearm enhancement in the death of D’Shila Agnew, also of South Bend.
Police said the investigation began on February 12, 2020, when officers responded to a welfare check at an apartment in the 1000 block of Patty Lane. Family members had expressed concern for Agnew’s safety. When officers entered the home, they discovered she had died.
The South Bend Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, led by Lieutenant Andrew Hines, continued investigating the case over the past several years, ultimately leading to the charges announced this week.
McLeod-James faces a sentencing range of 45 to 65 years for murder and an additional five to 20 years for the firearm enhancement, officials said. Probable cause was found, and an arrest warrant was issued. McLeod-James remains in federal custody on an unrelated case.
Authorities emphasize that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
