ASHLAND, Ala. — Two women have been sentenced for their involvement in the shooting death of a 22-year-old Florida college student in the Talladega National Forest near Alabama’s Cheaha State Park. Krystal Pinkins and Yasmine Hider, who had been living “off the grid” in the national forest for weeks, were each convicted of murder, kidnapping, and robbery after fatally shooting Adam Simjee of Apopka, Fla during an attempted robbery.
The incident occurred on Aug. 16, 2022, when the two suspects flagged down Simjee and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, and then allegedly pulled a gun on them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. Simjee was hit and was unable to be revived, while Hider was transported to a hospital for her injuries. Pinkins fled the scene but was later found by law enforcement near a base camp set up in the forest.
During the investigation, Hider was recorded saying, “Why did you shoot? It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” and expressing remorse for her actions. Following the incident, Hider asked if the victim had died, stating, “I took his whole life away; now he can’t tell his story.” Pinkins, on the other hand, was found to be accompanied by her 5-year-old son at the base camp, and the child was subsequently taken into custody by the Department of Human Resources.
Hider has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, while Pinkins has been sentenced to life. U.S. Attorney Escalona expressed hope that these convictions and sentences will bring justice to the victims and their families, acknowledging the efforts of local, state, and federal partners in the investigation.
The women’s participation in the robbery and killing of the college student in the Talladega National Forest has resulted in severe consequences, with Hider receiving a 35-year prison sentence and Pinkins sentenced to life in prison. Their actions have led to the tragic loss of life and have had lasting effects on the victims and their families.