Dayton, OH – A Montgomery County judge has sentenced Nicole “Nico” Cunigan, 33, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murders of his pregnant ex-girlfriend and a 16-year-old boy, a crime rooted in jealousy over a suspected new relationship.
Brutal Morning Attack in Dayton
On May 22, 2024, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Cunigan broke into Precious Taste’s home on Shaftesbury Road in Dayton and opened fire. The 32-year-old mother, who was 14–15 weeks pregnant, and 16-year-old Deante Johnson, a family friend, were both killed. Taste’s 3-year-old twins were also inside but unharmed.
Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Jr. stated, “The autopsy determined that Precious Taste had died from multiple gunshots, and that she was approximately 14–15 weeks pregnant. The autopsy of Deante Johnson determined that he too died from multiple gunshots.”
Courtroom reports from Dayton CBS affiliate WHIO indicate that Cunigan shot Taste as she ran down the stairs, while Johnson was found in a bed under covers. After the attack, Cunigan fled the home in Taste’s vehicle.
Pre-Meditation and Threats
Investigators revealed that Cunigan had threatened Taste in the days leading up to the attack, sending messages including, “I’m watching your every movement. You better not touch anyone else,” according to Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Schoen.
Cunigan was on the run for roughly two months, prompting a manhunt involving the U.S. Marshals, before he was apprehended in Cleveland.
Conviction and Charges
Earlier this month, Cunigan was convicted on all 10 counts against him. These include:
- Four counts of murder
- Two counts of felonious assault
- One count of involuntary manslaughter
- Domestic violence
- Tampering with evidence
- Unauthorized use of a vehicle
With time spent in pre-trial detention credited, Cunigan will first be eligible for parole in 2063.
Family Speaks Out During Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, Taste’s family addressed Cunigan directly.
“All the tough talk that you did, you weren’t good enough to walk away. After she asked you to leave her alone,” said Carl Thomas, Taste’s brother. “Should have just walked away. There are more fish in the sea. You ended your life, hers. You didn’t care about your kids.”
He added, “You took a beautiful soul,” capturing the grief and anger felt by the family.
Obsession and Denial
Throughout the trial, Cunigan was depicted as an obsessive, jealous stalker, yet during allocution, he maintained his innocence, stating, “God don’t put nobody through nothing they can’t handle. I’m innocent.“
The tragic case highlights the lethal consequences of domestic violence and jealousy, emphasizing the need for vigilance and support for victims attempting to escape abusive relationships.
Next Steps
Cunigan remains in Montgomery County Jail, and appeals may follow. The community and authorities continue to work on domestic violence awareness and prevention, particularly in cases involving children and pregnant victims.
How can communities better protect victims of domestic violence and prevent obsessive behavior from escalating to deadly attacks? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
