"She Played Dead to Survive": 10-Year-Old Girl Escapes Execution-Style Killing of Her Family in Houston

In a horrifying case that shocked Houston and the nation, a 10-year-old girl became the lone survivor of a brutal triple homicide by doing the unthinkable — playing dead.

On the night of June 30, 2021, Xavier Davis, now 32, entered the apartment of Gregory Carhee, 35, and Donyavia Lagway, 29, and opened fire, killing both parents and their 6-year-old daughter, Harmony Carhee, in cold blood.

The only witness left alive was their 10-year-old daughter — who had also been shot but managed to survive by pretending to be lifeless until the killer left the scene.

Xavier Davis (right) and Alexus Williams (left). City of Huston; Houston Police Department

🏠 A Quiet Apartment Becomes the Scene of a Massacre

The Carhee-Lagway family lived in a modest apartment in southwest Houston. What began as a normal evening quickly spiraled into terror when Davis — reportedly wearing gloves and carrying a gun — forced his way inside.

According to prosecutors, Davis shot both parents and their youngest daughter execution-style, then turned the gun on the 10-year-old girl.

Miraculously, the child survived, though wounded. In a move that likely saved her life, she played dead, waited for Davis to leave, and then grabbed her baby brother before calling for help using her mother’s phone.

"She showed a level of courage and presence of mind that’s beyond anything we’ve seen," one investigator said.

📱 A FaceTime Call to the Alleged Mastermind

As police dug deeper, they discovered the killing wasn’t random — it was orchestrated.

Investigators say Davis was in communication during the murders with a woman named Alexus Williams, who allegedly ordered the hit via FaceTime. Williams had previously been in a relationship with Lagway and, according to detectives, targeted the family in a revenge-driven plot.

Court records show that Williams offered Davis access to the family’s possessions as payment. She now faces capital murder and aggravated assault charges and is awaiting trial later this year.

🚗 A Trail of Violence — and a Costly Mistake

Before the killings, Davis carjacked a man to obtain a getaway vehicle. After the murders, he drove off, later burning the car in an attempt to destroy evidence.

However, in a crucial misstep, he left behind a cell phone, which was recovered by police and used to track him down. He was arrested the next day.

In court, Davis pleaded guilty to capital murder and is currently facing sentencing. Prosecutors are seeking either life without parole or the death penalty.

🕊️ A Community in Mourning — and a Survivor’s Strength

The story has left an indelible scar on Houston’s community. Memorials for the Carhee family continue to draw mourners, and support has poured in for the two surviving children — the brave 10-year-old girl and her infant brother.

A fund was created for their care, and the survivor has since been placed in the custody of trusted family members. Advocacy groups have called for greater protections for at-risk families and more awareness around domestic violence escalation and contract-style murders.

📌 Key Facts of the Xavier Davis Triple Murder Case

• Date of crime: June 30, 2021

• Location: Houston, Texas

• Victims: Gregory Carhee (35), Donyavia Lagway (29), Harmony Carhee (6)

• Survivor: 10-year-old daughter (unnamed for protection)

• Alleged mastermind: Alexus Williams

• Charges: Capital murder, aggravated assault

• Status: Xavier Davis pleaded guilty; Williams' trial pending

💬 Share Your Thoughts

What justice looks like in a case like this is never simple.
Should the death penalty apply? How do we support survivors of extreme trauma?

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