A Jamaican-born mother’s deeply personal way of coping with the loss of her only daughter has become part of a heartbreaking story that has now reached a major turning point in court.
For five years, Latoya “Budeisha” Reid has been grieving the deaths of her daughter, Massania “Carla” Malcolm, and her one-year-old granddaughter, Jordania Reid. On October 1, 2026, an Orange County jury in Florida found Doujon Griffiths guilty on all six counts connected to the deadly 2021 attack. Why did Latoya undergo plastic surgery?
Following Massania’s death, Latoya made an unusual but deeply personal decision: she underwent plastic surgery to make some of her facial features resemble her daughter’s.
Latoya explained that the decision was a coping mechanism. She wanted to be able to look at herself and see something of the daughter she had lost. In her words, seeing a resemblance to Massania in the mirror allowed her to have a “glimpse” of her child.
The decision came after a lifetime of sacrifice. Latoya told The Weekend Star that she gave birth to Massania when she was just 14 and struggled for years while raising her. Mother and daughter eventually migrated from St James, Jamaica, to Florida in 2016, seeking better opportunities. Latoya later became a registered nurse.
What happened to Massania and her daughter?
The tragedy unfolded in September 2021.
According to evidence reported from the case, Griffiths had been staying with Massania and her partner after experiencing homelessness. After roughly six weeks, the couple reportedly asked him to leave because he was not contributing to the household.
On the morning of the attack, Griffiths was reportedly preparing to leave and the couple agreed to take him to a bus stop. Instead, prosecutors said he opened fire on Massania’s partner, Jordane “Sinnaway” Reid, striking him multiple times. Jordane survived but required months of hospital treatment.
Griffiths then forced Massania and her one-year-old daughter into the couple’s vehicle at gunpoint and drove away, according to the case presented in court.
Two days later, the vehicle was discovered abandoned in an Orlando parking lot. Massania had been shot and killed. Her young daughter also died after being left inside the vehicle in intense heat.
Suspect remained on the run for more than two years
Following the killings, Griffiths disappeared.
Authorities eventually arrested him during a traffic stop in New Jersey on March 26, 2024, more than two years after the deaths. He was subsequently extradited to Florida to face prosecution.
Guilty on all counts
The case finally reached a verdict on October 1, 2026.
Griffiths was convicted on all six counts, including first-degree murder with a firearm, first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, along with three counts related to shooting at, within or into a building.
His sentencing is scheduled for November 16, 2026. Prosecutors have indicated that they will not seek the death penalty.
A bittersweet moment for a grieving mother
For Latoya, hearing the guilty verdict brought a measure of accountability, but it could never undo what happened.
She described the verdict as “bittersweet.” After years of grief, the court case had finally reached a conclusion, but she was still facing the reality that her only daughter and granddaughter were gone.
Her decision to undergo plastic surgery therefore goes much deeper than simply changing her appearance. Latoya said it was her way of coping with the heartbreaking loss of her daughter. By resembling Massania, she felt she could still see a piece of her daughter whenever she looked in the mirror.
Latoya says she now intends to continue keeping the memories of both her daughter and granddaughter alive.
To Latoya, we send love, strength and continued healing. No mother should ever have to endure such a heartbreaking loss. May the memories of her daughter and granddaughter continue to bring her comfort, and may their memories live on forever. 🕊️❤️🙏🏾
