Jacksonville Police reported discovering the victim’s bloodied body in front of her apartment door, along with damning evidence inside. Journee McGrew, 22, is awaiting sentencing for the murder of 41-year-old Waduta Londrell Woodley on July 2, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida.
McGrew testified that Woodley had groomed and sexually molested her since she was in elementary school. She stated her plan was to lure him into her apartment by falsely claiming interest in a sexual encounter to gather evidence against him, which she claimed did not include the intent to kill.
“I really wasn’t in my right mind when this happened. I’m not violent, and I’m sorry for this situation,” McGrew said during court proceedings.
Police found Woodley with blunt force trauma to his head and face, along with a paper on his chest bearing the message “PEDO Touches Children.” Bloodied footprints and a metal hammer were also discovered at the scene.
McGrew initially pleaded not guilty but changed her plea to guilty in December 2025. She will be sentenced in August, with the state recommending life in prison.
Woodley’s mother testified about the profound impact of her son’s murder: “Everything changed in a second when your only son has been murdered,” she said. “Yes, this has affected my family, my daughter, my granddaughter… we don’t know how to cope.”
McGrew disclosed that she had been diagnosed with psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder prior to the murder.
In her apology to Woodley’s family, McGrew stated: “I am sorry about what I did. I know how much I impacted your family and mine. I’m really sorry for what happened.”
The state described McGrew as having decided last year to be judge, jury, and executioner, taking the law into her own hands.
Woodley had no prior criminal history related to sexual assault or child abuse. He was found by police after McGrew answered the door with bloodied footprints and a metal hammer in her apartment.
McGrew’s mugshot shows her smiling after arrest. No one has submitted an obituary for Woodley, but his funeral home planted a tree in his memory.
