2006 murder of amber woods

2-Brothers Charged, 2006 Murder of 16-Year-Old Amber Woods

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – Ralph Williams (36), and Tyjuan Williams (32) are charged with the murder of Amber Woods, who was found dead along State Road 62 approximately three miles west of the Hardee County line back in February of 2006.

The 16-year-old was last seen alive by her Aunt at their residence in the 3100 block of St. Rd. 62 in Hardee County, at around 12:30 am on 02/11/06 and was later kidnapped. At 7:30 that morning a person driving by spotted her body about 20 feet off the southside of the road. The day after Amber was found an autopsy confirmed she died from a gunshot wound to her back.

manatee county

Detectives learned that Ralph Williams, who was dating Amber was wanting to end the relationship and conspired with his brothers to kidnap her, take her to a remote area, and kill her. It was generally believed by friends of Amber Woods, including Ralph that she was pregnant with Ralph’s baby. The autosy showed that she not pregnant. During the investigation detectives found a text where Ralph was concerned that he could face criminal charges due to Amber being underage. Detectives had a variety of leads but not enough to build a strong case.

In April of 2019, the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit began a reexamination of the case, to include the use of previously unavailable technology. MCSO Crime Analyst Elicia Main, utilized sophisticated cellular tracking software to follow the towers and travel of Ralph, Tyjuan, Jamaine, and Amber through the early morning hours of 02/11/2006. The research confirmed a phone used by Ralph Williams on the night of the murder was in the vicinity of where Amber’s body was found.

On 5/20/20, a warrant was signed for the arrest of Jamaine Brown for the charge of kidnapping as it related to the case. During a recorded interview on 11/02/20, Jamaine, the half-brother of Ralph and Tyjuan says they drove with Amber to a rural location on State road 62 where they got out of the car, and Tyjuan shot Amber once in the back. Jamine and Ralph then dragged her dead body off the roadway into high grass, before fleeing the scene.  

On 12/15/20 Ralph Williams and Tyjuan Williams were charged with Second Degree Murder. Ralph was already in jail in Polk County on unrelated charges and Tyjuan was incarcerated in Hardee County also on unrelated charges. Both are being held at those facilities without bond, awaiting extradition.

Jamaine Brown who has been in the Manatee County Jail since May of this year plead to the charge of Accessory After the Fact to Murder on 12/18/20.   

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