After more than four years since the tragic incident, a man has been convicted for the 2021 murder of a Miami Gardens business owner and mother of eight. James Hardwick, 31, was found guilty yesterday of first-degree murder in the killing of Misty Hopkins, owner of the waxing and laser hair removal business Hair Free. According to a report from NBC Miami, Hopkins was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in the hallway of a shopping plaza where her business was located.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office was quoted in NBC Miami affirming that the murder was a planned ambush. Found lying in a pool of blood outside her salon, Hopkins' case has only recently reached a conclusion with Hardwick's conviction. Serving as the getaway driver, his role in the cold-blooded act has led to a significant verdict, reflecting the gravity of the violent crime.
Exclusive surveillance video captures the heartrending moments leading up to Hopkins' death, as reported by 7News. Hopkins was seen seconds before she was confronted and fatally shot while approaching her salon. The prosecution's closing statements were definitive. "There is not a single shred of reasonable doubt in this case," a prosecutor is quoted during the court proceedings by 7News.
Friends and family of Hopkins conveyed the profound sense of loss and the unjust nature of her death. "She was your biggest support system. Like, no matter what you were doing, she was never a sad person," Nicole Scroggins, a friend of Hopkins, told 7News. As a mother of eight left behind, the community felt a palpable void in the wake of the verdict. Melanie Wilsthire, Hopkins’ sister, told 7News about the incident, "That it was intentional. That they were out to seek revenge," expressing the cruel and deliberate nature of the attack.
While justice has been partially served with Hardwick's conviction, the alleged shooter, Joseph Christophe, is already imprisoned on unrelated charges but might face charges related to this case in future proceedings.
