Mercer County Homicide Task Force probing murder of Trenton mother & daughter

The Mercer County Homicide Task Force (MCHTF) and the Trenton Police Department
are investigating the shooting deaths of Malika Whiting, 40, and her 13-year-old daughter, Jairah Biggs, who were shot and killed in their home in Trenton.

Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey reported that around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 12, 2025, Trenton police responded to a residence in the 300 block of West State Street after receiving a 911 call reporting two deceased victims at the location.

Upon arrival, officers located a 13-year-old female in a third-floor bedroom suffering a gunshot wound and a 40-year-old woman in the stairway leading to the third floor, also suffering a gunshot wound.

Both mother and daughter were pronounced dead at the scene, located just a couple of blocks from the state Capitol complex.

“Right now, this is a tragedy that has happened to our family. We don’t know all the details,” said Laquana Hardee, the victim’s cousin.

“She was a loving mother. She was funny, she was loving. All she wanted was to have her kids raised properly,” Hardee said. “Her daughter is in the seventh grade, 13 years old. She didn’t deserve this, to be in the middle of a conflict she had nothing to do with.”

“The news of this horrific act of violence has shaken our community,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “The family’s roots are in the community and throughout the city. No mother and daughter should ever be taken from this world in such a tragic and violent way.”

Gusciora

Marbrey said a person of interest was detained on unrelated charges, but no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact MCHTF Detective Scott Peterson at (609) 649-9218 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.