JACKSONVILLE, FL – A 21-year-old Jacksonville woman has been charged with second-degree murder after authorities say she beat a man to death with a hammer inside her apartment early last week, leaving a note accusing him of child abuse on his body.

Police arrested Journee McGrew after responding to a call about a dispute at the Cross Creek Apartments on Manotak Avenue just after 3:30 a.m. on July 2. Deputies found Waduta Woodley, 41, lying behind a stairwell in front of Apartment 207, suffering from severe blunt-force trauma to his head and face, according to court records. The crime scene was described as extremely bloody, with splatters on walls and the ground.

Investigators also discovered a sheet of paper placed on Woodley’s chest. The message, written with a green highlighter, accused the victim of child molestation. First responders pronounced Woodley dead at the scene.

Authorities quickly identified McGrew, who resided in the apartment where the incident took place, as a suspect. Following her detention, detectives conducted a search of her residence, reportedly finding bloody footprints leading from the front door to the bathroom. Inside the bathroom, they located a hammer, allegedly stained with blood, as well as clothes and shoes bearing blood evidence. Additional items recovered included a pink notebook, loose paper, and a green highlighter matching the writing on the note.

During police interviews, McGrew’s father and brother told investigators they went to her apartment after she attempted to contact her mother by phone. On the drive, her father said he spoke with McGrew, who informed him that Woodley had visited her earlier and allegedly demanded sex from her. According to the father’s statement, McGrew admitted to striking Woodley with a hammer after rejecting his advances, then said, “I think he’s dead, Daddy.” The father then advised her to call 911 before he contacted authorities himself.

Following her arrest, McGrew told officers that Woodley had sexually groomed and abused her since she was eight years old. However, police investigated mobile communications between McGrew and Woodley from the night of the incident. According to investigators, she messaged Woodley around 10 p.m., expressing romantic interest and inviting him to her apartment.

Surveillance information and witness statements indicate Woodley went to McGrew’s apartment, and the two visited several stores before returning home around 1 a.m. The affidavit states that after drinking together, McGrew claimed Woodley began to pressure her for sex, and she asked him to leave. Before escorting him out, McGrew allegedly retrieved a hammer and concealed it as she walked him to the door.

At the exit, there was a physical encounter described by McGrew as “not forceful, but aggressive.” She stated in interviews that she pushed Woodley away before the altercation escalated. Further details from her statement were redacted from the public affidavit.

McGrew remains held without bond in the Duval County Jail. She is scheduled for arraignment on July 24, 2025, and also faces a charge of altering, concealing, or destroying physical evidence.

Authorities have not released a motive, but said the investigation is ongoing.