Lineville, Alabama – Two women have been sentenced for the killing of college student Adam Simjee near Cheaha State Park. Simjee was killed during an attempted robbery in the Talladega National Forest on Sunday, August 14, 2022, while on a trip with his girlfriend Mikayla Paulus.
According to court documents, the couple was flagged down by Yasmine Hider and Krystal Pinkins to help “jump start” Pinkins’s car, which was broken down. Hider then robbed the young couple and shot Simjee as he attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend. Simjee also had a gun on him at the time of the incident and fired several shots at Hider.
After the incident, law enforcement received information that there may be a group of people “living off the grid” somewhere in the National Forest, reported to be armed and potentially violent. A tracking team led law enforcement to a large group of tents set up in the National Forest, about 1/2 mile from the scene of the attempted robbery. Upon approaching the base camp, law enforcement saw Pinkins standing near the tents with her 5-year-old son holding a loaded shotgun, leading to her arrest.
The tragedy of Simjee’s death is a clear indictment of the dangers that can accompany even the most innocent and routine activities. The convictions and sentences of the two women for their roles in the killing bring some measure of justice and closure to the victims and their families. The tireless efforts of law enforcement, both local and federal, have been instrumental in bringing this case to a resolution.