Family of slain pregnant woman 'relieved' of Markeith Loyd's arrest

ORLANDO, Fla. — The mother of a pregnant woman allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend reacted to the man’s arrest Tuesday evening.

Markeith Loyd fatally shot Sade Dixon, 24, and critically wounded her brother, Ronald Steward, 26, at their family’s home near Pine Hills on Dec. 13, Orange County deputies said.

Stephanie Dixon-Daniels said news of Loyd’s arrest brought her relief.

Raw: Slain pregnant woman’s mother reacts to Markeith Loyd’s arrest

“Relief,” she said. “It’s a big weight off my chest.”

Dixon heard someone banging on the door. When she answered it, deputies said she was killed.

Dixon, who was three months pregnant, was the mother of a 5-year-old and 7-year-old. The children, another brother and Dixon's parents were inside at the time of the shooting, deputies said.

"I suffer from panic attacks, not knowing what's going on. (I'm) trying to get back to normal for Sade's babies," Dixon-Daniels said.

Photos: Sade Dixon's mother after Markeith Loyd’s arrest

“I could probably sleep tonight without worrying,” Dixon-Daniels said. “It’s a big relief.”

Investigators said Dixon’s brother was running to her rescue when he was shot.

"It was not self-defense. He came here blatantly to kill my daughter," Dixon-Daniels said.

Loyd, 41, a felon, is also suspected fatally shooting Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton Jan. 9 while she tried to arrest him at a Pine Hills Walmart.

Related story: Children in home when pregnant mother shot to death, officials say

“A burden was just lifted off my chest,” Dixon-Daniels said. “Justice will prevail for both my daughter, Sade, and Master Sergeant Clayton.”

Orange County court records show Orlando police and Orange County deputies had arrested Loyd 20 times since 1994. He was arrested once more Tuesday night.

Related story: Pregnant mother's suspected killer a convicted felon, deputies say

Cox Media Group