The surviving family members of murder victim Logan Frederico, 22, arrived in a Columbia, South Carolina court on Tuesday for a hearing involving the suspect described as a "career criminal" responsible for her death.

Frederico, an aspiring teacher and Taylor Swift devotee, was killed on May 3 after an assailant broke into the rental house where she was sleeping. The murderer then stole the young woman’s credit cards and went on a “shopping spree” the next day, according to Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook. 

The alleged murderer, 30-year-old Alexander Dickey, was apprehended shortly after he stole a car and drove to a residence in Gaston.

Dickey has faced about 40 charges over the past decade, with the most recent resulting in shortened probation.

Dickey has been sentenced to probation at least five times during the course of a long track record of criminal behavior, WIS News 10 reports. 

Records obtained by the outlet from the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services show Dickey has been given multiple terms of probation for breaking into motor vehicles, grand larceny, second- and third-degree burglary, and strong-arm robbery. 

A third probation term for third-degree burglary, which began on June 6, 2023, was completed on February 5 of this year.

When Dickey appeared in court Tuesday, he faced several charges including murder, WACH Fox News correspondent Marsharia Adams reported. Due to Dickey’s charges, bond was not set.

“As the judge read Dickey his rights, Frederico’s family held onto every word the judge said; emotions were high.,” Adams wrote on X. 

Before exiting the courtroom, Dickey reportedly said, "Alright, I’ll go back to the jail."

In a tear-filled interview with WIS News 10, Logan Frederico’s father, Stephen, said he texted his daughter when she arrived at the rental house “to make sure she was safe.”

Wednesday night, which became a tradition for all of us, I would always send them a text that said, "Goodnight, I love you, I’m going to bed"—and they always responded… I’m still waiting for her to respond,” he said. “It’s not coming though.”

“I won’t be able to walk her down an aisle and give her to somebody else to protect,” Stephen Frederico continued, saying that Logan’s brother referred to her as "his rock."

“They needed each other, and they were there for each other through anything — thick and thin,” he said of the siblings. 

The New York Post reports that Logan Frederico’s last text message was sent to her boss, Jeff Reed, who oversaw her work as a bartender at a bar in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“One of the last things she said to me was ‘I love you,’” Reed said. 

Reed said his bar will name a cocktail "The Queen" in Frederico’s honor, with all proceeds benefiting her family.

Dickey is currently being held at the Lexington County Detention Center in South Carolina.