💔 “I BEGGED HER TO GET HELP” — A FATHER’S WARNING AFTER LOSING HIS “SUNSHINE”

For Kianna Tytasia Jones’ father, the memories are painful because he says he saw warning signs before his 24-year-old daughter’s life came to an end.

He says he repeatedly begged Kianna — the young woman he lovingly called “Sunshine” — to protect herself.

Call police.

Press charges.

Seek a restraining order.

Tell someone what was happening.

But according to her grieving father, fear, guilt, and pressure made it difficult for Kianna to break away from a situation he believed was becoming increasingly dangerous.

He says his daughter had allegedly experienced threats and intimidation before the night everything changed.

Her father has shared screensH๏τs that he says contained disturbing threats involving Kianna’s vehicle. He claims the messages referenced damaging her car, breaking windows, and causing harm.

He also says that after he helped his daughter obtain a vehicle, its windows were smashed, its tires were damaged, and its mirrors were destroyed only days later.

Then came Thursday, August 20, 2026.

At approximately 9:50 p.m., deputies responded to the 100 block of Indian Heritage Road outside Lumberton, North Carolina.

Inside a vehicle, authorities found Kianna deceased.

According to her father, another person inside the vehicle survived and later contacted Kianna’s family. He says the survivor told them that Kianna had called for help during the incident, but that he was forced to leave in order to protect his own life.

Rather than blame the survivor, Kianna’s father said he was grateful that the person survived and was able to provide information to the family.

For him, that meant something important.

Someone heard Kianna.

Someone knew she needed help.

And someone was able to tell her family about her final moments.

On Saturday, August 22, authorities arrested 22-year-old Cedrione K. McDowell. According to the information provided, McDowell faces charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle.

He remains in custody without bond.

As the investigation continues, Kianna’s father hopes his daughter’s story will encourage others to recognize warning signs before it is too late.

The threats.

The intimidation.

The control.

The moments when someone insists they are “fine,” even though the people who love them can see something is wrong.

His message is simple:

Do not ignore the red flags.

Tell someone.

Document threats.

Ask for help.

For Kianna’s family, those words now come with unimaginable pain.

Her father cannot turn back time. He cannot protect his daughter from what happened. All he can do is remember the woman she was and make sure her name is not forgotten.

Kianna was more than the circumstances surrounding her final moments.

She was a daughter.

A friend.

A loved one.

And to her father, she was his Sunshine. 🌹

💔 Rest peacefully, Kianna “Sunshine” Jones.