REMEMBER Candace
Candace Priscilla Joseph
43 YEARS OLD ·
Lake Butler,
Florida
Candace Priscilla Joseph was 43 years old and remembered as a vibrant, energetic woman whose humor and infectious laughter brought joy to the people around her. Her obituary described her as a “ray of sunshine” with a nurturing spirit, compassion, humor, and deep loyalty to the people she loved. She was a mother of two, Madison Joseph and Ayden Dodd, and was affectionately known within her family as “Doodle Bug.”
Candace was born September 3, 1982, in Gainesville, Florida, to Johnny and Jean Pons. She became a content creator on TikTok, where her vibrant personality, humor, and laughter helped her build a community of followers whom she treated more like friends than an audience.
Music was an important part of Candace's life and something she shared closely with her son, Ayden. She was also a devoted supporter of her daughter Madison, regularly attending her lacrosse games and cheering her on from the stands. Candace loved the Florida Gators, family game nights, music, laughter, and spending time with the people closest to her.
Her obituary remembered her as energetic and spunky, with an ability to connect deeply with others. Candace is survived by her children Madison and Ayden, her sister Jamie Kelly, her brother Brad Phillips, and her nieces Kayla, Hailey, and Aspen. Her parents preceded her in death.
THE RECORD
On February 3, 2026, 43-year-old Candace Joseph was fatally shot in Union County during an incident investigators said began with an argument between Candace and her former partner of approximately 13 years, Jason Eric Holton. Candace was in the process of moving out with assistance from a 42-year-old friend when, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Holton fatally shot both women while members of their families were present.
Holton fled the scene in a Ford F-150. Multiple law-enforcement agencies subsequently located him traveling southbound on Interstate 75 near Alachua County. After authorities used a PIT maneuver to stop his vehicle, Holton was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
RELATIONSHIP CONTEXT
Ex-boyfriend
Candace Priscilla Joseph and Jason Eric Holton, 47, had been a couple for approximately 13 years. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Candace was in the process of moving out when she was killed. A friend was helping her move, and authorities reported that Candace had developed a relationship with that friend. The fatal incident began during an argument between Candace and Holton.
CHILDREN / ADDITIONAL VICTIMS
CHILDREN PRESENT — DOCUMENTED NO
ADDITIONAL VICTIMS
ADDITIONAL VICTIMS DOCUMENTED
Candace's 42-year-old friend from San Antonio, Florida, who was helping Candace move, was also fatally shot. News4JAX reported that her name had not yet been publicly released at the time of publication.
PATTERNS DOCUMENTED IN AVAILABLE RECORDS
These indicators reflect what could be established from available sources. Absence from this list does not establish that a behavior did not occur.
LEGAL / SYSTEM RESPONSE
The Union County Sheriff’s Office investigated the double homicide and identified Jason Eric Holton as the suspected perpetrator. After Holton fled Union County, a statewide notice was issued and multiple agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol, assisted in locating him. Holton was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after law enforcement stopped his vehicle on Interstate 75. Because Holton died following the homicides, there was no criminal prosecution.
SOURCES
Argument between lake butler couple turns fatal when man shoots kills ex girlfriend and her friend deputies say
www.news4jax.com
INFORMATION LIMITATIONS
Fields marked UNKNOWN were not established by the available coded record and do not mean the behavior did not occur.
TRANSPARENCY / RECORD NOTE
The Union County Sheriff’s Office identified Jason Eric Holton as the suspected perpetrator in the fatal shootings of Candace Joseph and her friend. Authorities reported that Candace was in the process of moving out when the incident occurred and that members of both victims’ families were present. Holton fled the scene and was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after law enforcement stopped his vehicle on Interstate 75. Because Holton died, the allegations were not adjudicated through a criminal prosecution.
REMEMBER Candace.
Every statistic had a name. Every name had a life.
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