Man arrested in connection to 2021 murder of 21-year-old pregnant woman

(WPHL) — Nearly four years after the brutal murder of a pregnant woman, the man who killed her is finally behind bars.

26-year-old Justin Smith was arrested on March 9, 2025, by the Atlanta Police Department for the homicide of 21-year-old Dianna Brice.

On March 30, 2021, Brice was reported missing to Upper Darby Police after she was last seen with Smith earlier that day.

Later, her body was discovered in the 5800 block of Eastwick Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. She was three months pregnant.

The investigation began when Upper Darby Police responded to a missing person report about Brice at 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. She was last seen at 1 p.m. that day with Smith entering his Ford Fusion.

Later that day, Smith’s Ford Fusion was found burning in Southwest Philadelphia, police said.

The investigation led police to the 1900 block of E. Westmoreland St. and then to Eastwick Avenue, where Brice’s body was found.

On April 9, 2021, an arrest warrant was issued for Smith.

Nearly four years later on, March 9, 2025, Atlanta Police stopped a vehicle on the 800 block of Oak Street for an expired registration. The driver, later identified as Smith, led officers on a vehicle pursuit followed by a foot chase. He was apprehended and positively identified.

Smith is being held on murder charges and will be extradited to Philadelphia to face prosecution.