ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Two years after the investigation began into the deaths of two St. Augustine men found shot inside a car, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest.
Derrick Walden, 43, was arrested and charged in connection to the double murder of Cody Bennett, 21, and Tre’ Lyons, 22.
Bennett and Lyons were found shot to death inside a vehicle that had crashed into a fence on North Orange Street near Webster Elementary School on Nov. 27, 2023, around 11:30 p.m.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage that showed someone running from the direction of the scene around the time of the murders.
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They also pulled Bennett’s cellphone data and learned that he was communicating with Walden right before the shooting. This, along with other evidence, led them to name Walden as a person of interest, who was also under investigation for an unrelated narcotics investigation.
“Derrick Walden, he goes by the nickname of ‘Cheese’ on the street,” Sergeant Gene Tolbert said. “We believe that Cody had arranged to meet with Derrick Walden that night so that Derrick Walden could purchase marijuana from Cody Bennett.”
Detectives searched Walden’s home in January 2024 and found his cellphone and additional evidence, including a photograph of the gun, which was eventually found in a nearby pond, according to SJSO.
Another gun that was unrelated to the case was also found in the home. Since Walden was a convicted felon, meaning he was not allowed to have any firearms, he was arrested and convicted of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
He is serving time in prison in North Carolina for that charge.
He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Walden will be brought back to Florida to face those charges.
“The murders of Tre’ Lyons and Cody Bennett have impacted our community tremendously,” Sheriff Hardwick said. “I’m proud of the men and women of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. This arrest reflects our determination to fight for justice for the victims and their families. Regardless of how long it takes, if you commit a crime in St. Johns County, you will be held accountable.”
The community and the Bennet’s and Lyons’ loved ones have constantly pushed for answers in this case. The sheriff’s office also offered more than $14,000 award for tips that would lead to an arrest.
The sheriff’s office acknowledged that, though an arrest has been made, questions still remain surrounding the circumstances.
If you have any information related to this case, please contact the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office atcrimetips@sjso.org, or call (904) 824-8304.