Shivangi Sinha
In August 2017, an off-duty firefighter driving through a residential neighborhood in Bradenton, Florida, noticed a house fire. Emergency services were called, and once police arrived, they discovered the remains of 18-year-old Diamond Shelman and her infant son, Jeremiah. What first looked like an accident soon raised suspicions when investigators found blood splatters inside the home. Authorities quickly identified a suspect, but what unfolded was far beyond their expectations. ID’s ‘Signs of a Psychopath: There’s Eyes in the Closet’ explores the case in depth and shows how the killer was ultimately caught and prosecuted.
Diamond Shelman Passed Away in Her Home Alongside Her Infant Son
Diamond Shelman was born on June 17, 1999, in Bradenton, Florida. Her childhood years were difficult, as her mother, Nakiya Smalls, faced several challenges. For a period, Diamond was placed in foster care, where she struggled to find the stability that many children her age experienced. While in foster care, she met Larry Bernard Williams, a member of the household she was staying with, and the two began a relationship. In January 2017, Diamond gave birth to their son, Jeremiah. She was devoted to her child and made it her goal to build a better life and provide him with the opportunities she herself had lacked.
Diamond’s relationship with Larry eventually ended, and she moved into housing provided by SOLVE Maternity Homes at Avalon Square Apartments. She was being housed and sheltered under their program and she wanted to make the best of it. It marked what looked like a fresh start, and she focused on turning her life around. She was working at CVS and was saving money with hopes of becoming a pharmacy technician by starting college. But her plans came to a stop the very week she was set to start classes. On the morning of August 27, 2017, an off-duty firefighter noticed flames coming from the apartment where Diamond lived with her baby son.
Emergency services were quickly alerted, and once the fire was extinguished, the remains of Diamond and her son, Jeremiah, were discovered inside the apartment. However, evidence soon suggested the fire was no accident, prompting a homicide investigation. It was determined that Diamond had died from stab wounds, with her throat cut, while Jeremiah lost his life due to smoke inhalation.
Diamond Shelman’s Killer Alleged That a Demon Made Him Commit the Crime
Police quickly identified a suspect after the crime, as the firefighter who reported the fire had seen a Chrysler 300 speeding away from the complex. The vehicle was traced back to Larry Williams. An arson dog was brought to the scene and detected fire accelerants inside the apartment and on Diamond’s remains, confirming the blaze was deliberately set. Investigators also found blood spatters on the curtains and clothing. When Williams allegedly returned with the car, he was taken into custody for questioning.
At first, Larry claimed he had not seen his ex-girlfriend recently and said he had no idea what had happened to her. He even expressed shock upon hearing that his son Jeremiah had died. However, when the arson dog was brought in, it detected gasoline as the accelerant used to start the fire. Under mounting pressure from detectives, Larry began to change his story. He eventually claimed he had seen a pair of red eyes in the closet and insisted he had often encountered them. He alleged that he was possessed by a demon, which drove him to commit the violence.
Larry also had prior charges, including a 2012 arrest for lewd and lascivious battery. Investigators soon uncovered more evidence tying him to the crime. At the time, he was living with his then-girlfriend, Tydariah Mendez, with whom he shared a one-year-old daughter. She later testified that five days before the murders, Larry sent her unsettling text messages, telling her to keep her Taser charged and to “look for that gas can.” She hadn’t taken it as a warning. On the night of August 27, she recalled him leaving their home around 3 am, then later pacing nervously in their bedroom. Hours afterward, he called her to check on his car, but by then, police were swarming the area. An arson dog detected gasoline both in his vehicle and on clothing inside his home.
Larry Williams is Incarcerated Today
Larry Williams’ defense initially pursued an insanity claim, arguing that he suffered from schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, in May 2023, the defense withdrew this petition and entered a not guilty plea, allowing the trial to proceed. During the proceedings, the prosecution presented evidence along with testimonies from several witnesses, including Tydariah Mendez. Larry was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and arson. In May 2023, he received two consecutive life sentences for the murder charges, with the arson sentencing scheduled separately. By July 2023, he was sentenced to 30 years for arson. The 28-year-old is now serving his sentence at Wakulla Correctional Institution Annex in Crawfordville, Florida, where he will remain for life.
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