People in Dunmore don’t usually expect to see yellow crime tape when they walk out of their front doors. It’s the kind of place where neighbors recognize each other's cars and the most pressing local drama is usually a zoning dispute or a high school football rivalry. But on a cold Thursday night in early January 2025, everything changed on Veterans Drive.
Nicole Vega Dunmore PA—the name now carries a weight it never should have had to bear.
Honestly, it’s heartbreaking. Nicole was a 36-year-old mother, a mentor to local teens, and a woman described by friends as the "work mom" who kept everyone laughing during grueling shifts. Then, in an instant, she became the center of a homicide investigation that left three young daughters without a mother and a borough in total shock.
What Happened on Veterans Drive?
The details coming out of the criminal complaint are, frankly, chilling. It started on the night of January 2, 2025. Police were called to an apartment where they found Nicole Vega dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Her husband, Maxwell Hawkins, was there. According to investigators, he was mumbling and difficult to understand when officers arrived. When they asked where Nicole was, he simply pointed upstairs.
There was a loaded handgun. There was blood. And most devastatingly, there were children involved.
A man named Michael Schwarz, who is Nicole’s uncle, had actually removed three children from the home before police arrived. Hawkins had called him from a convenience store earlier, claiming Nicole was "acting strangely." Later, he called back to say she was "gone."
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It’s a sequence of events that feels like a nightmare. Police eventually arrested Hawkins, initially charging him with child endangerment and public drunkenness, but the charges were quickly upgraded to criminal homicide as the investigation unfolded.
Who Was Nicole Vega?
Beyond the headlines and the court documents, there was a real person. Nicole wasn't just a "victim" in a news ticker.
She was a 2006 graduate of Scranton High School. She lived for her three daughters: Evalia Lynn, Maria Jane, and Julia Grace. If you look at her obituary or the tributes left by her coworkers, a very specific picture emerges. She was the manager at the local Wendy’s who actually cared.
"She made working at Wendy’s fun... us teens looked up to her. Even after I stopped working there, she made sure to say hi." — Raina Kester, former coworker.
Nicole loved music. She was an avid reader. She spent her free time in the kitchen, not just cooking for her girls, but teaching them how to do it themselves. She was building a life in Dunmore, a place she called home, until that life was violently cut short.
The Legal Aftermath and Community Reaction
The "little village" of Dunmore, as some residents call the area around Veterans Drive, hasn't been the same since.
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Neighbors like Kimberly Sanders and Michael McDonald spoke to local news outlets, expressing a sense of disbelief. It’s that classic "you never think it’ll happen here" sentiment. But it did.
The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s office took over the case, moving forward with homicide charges against Maxwell Hawkins. The motive cited in the criminal complaint was a supposed argument where Hawkins claimed Nicole had "cheated on him," though these types of statements from suspects are often viewed through a lens of extreme skepticism by investigators and the public alike.
Current Status of the Case
- Victim: Nicole S. Vega (36)
- Defendant: Maxwell Hawkins (37)
- Location: Veterans Drive, Dunmore, PA
- Charges: Criminal Homicide, Endangering the Welfare of Children
- Date of Incident: January 2, 2025
The three children, who were aged between 4 and 11 at the time of the shooting, are reportedly staying with relatives. The "Dunmore Moms" group even organized floral tributes, sending "Treasured Lilies" to the family as a symbol of community support.
Why This Case Matters for Dunmore
This wasn't just a random act of violence. It was a domestic tragedy.
It highlights a reality that many small towns try to ignore: domestic violence doesn't care about how "quiet" a neighborhood is. It happens behind closed doors in the suburbs just as easily as it does anywhere else.
The tragedy of Nicole Vega Dunmore PA has sparked conversations among locals about domestic safety and the importance of checking in on neighbors. When a "work mom" who is always smiling and laughing is suddenly gone, it leaves a void that a police report can't fill.
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Honestly, the unfairness is what sticks with people. A 36-year-old woman with everything to live for is gone, and three little girls have to grow up with a story no child should ever have to tell.
Actionable Steps for the Community
If you are following this story or live in the Lackawanna County area, there are ways to channel the sadness of this event into something productive.
1. Support Domestic Violence Resources
Organizations like the Women's Resource Center (WRC) in Scranton provide 24/7 support for those in abusive situations. You can donate or volunteer in memory of victims like Nicole.
2. Watch for Red Flags
In many domestic cases, there are subtle signs before a crisis occurs. If a friend or coworker suddenly becomes isolated, shows signs of unexplained bruising, or mentions "strange behavior" from a partner, reach out. Sometimes just knowing someone is watching can make a difference.
3. Support the Family
Local community groups often set up meal trains or education funds for children left behind in tragedies like this. Check with Dunmore community boards or local funeral homes for verified ways to help the Vega daughters.
4. Stay Informed on Court Proceedings
Justice for Nicole depends on the legal system. Follow local news outlets like WVIA or WNEP for updates on the Maxwell Hawkins trial. Public interest ensures that cases like this don't just fade into the background.
The story of Nicole Vega is a somber reminder of how fragile peace can be. Dunmore will eventually move on, the crime tape is long gone, and the neighbors will stop whispering about that night on Veterans Drive. But for three girls and a grieving family, the world changed forever on January 2, 2025.