The Disappearance of Merkedes Jordan

 

Merkedes Jordan has been missing since November 7th, 2006. The then-21-year-old vanished from Meridian, Mississippi. On the day of her disappearance, Merkedes was last seen outside of the Western Gardens Apartment Complex. She has never been seen or heard from again.

There are very little details available about the circumstances surrounding Merkedes’ disappearance. Reports regarding her case state that Merkedes was seen talking to an unidentified male next to a black vehicle in the apartment complex’s parking lot. This was the last known sighting of the young woman; what happened after that has remained a mystery for nearly two decades.

Merkedes’ family members do not think she would leave on her own accord; they believe she was taken against her will. However, no persons of interest or suspects have ever been publicly identified. Merkedes’ case is unfortunately one of several that has received minimal media attention. Updates on the investigation have not been provided throughout the years. 

Merkedes left behind a son who was just a baby at the time of her disappearance. Her son has now grown up without his mother, and her other loved ones have been left without answers. Merkedes’ case is still open but considered a cold case.

If you have any information that could help solve the disappearance of Merkedes Jordan, please contact the Meridian Police Department at 601-485-1843.

Sources:

Charley Project
The Doe Network
MissingSippi
NamUs
Our Black Girls

The Disappearance of Rebecca Paulk

 

Rebecca Paulk has been missing since September 8th, 2015. The then-26-year-old was last seen by her parents the previous day, at their home in Demopolis, Alabama. Rebecca left her parents' residence to drive to Meridian, Mississippi - an approximate hour-long drive away from Demopolis. Rebecca's family could have never imagined that this would be the last time they'd ever see her - but unfortunately, Rebecca never returned home.

It's confirmed that Rebecca made it to Meridian after leaving her parents' house. Once there, she gathered with friends at the home of John Bentley Poisso Jr. The following day, surveillance cameras captured Poisso and Rebecca together at a gas station in Meridian. This is the last known sighting of Rebecca; she has never been seen or heard from again. 

On September 9th, 2015, Rebecca's car was found abandoned on a logging road in Whynot, Alabama - an area right along the Alabama/Mississippi border. Many of her personal items, including her iPad, computer, and purse were found inside the vehicle. Her phone was found approximately 100 yards away from the car, in front of nearby woods. 

Once police determined that the car belonged to Rebecca Paulk, they contacted her mother to notify them about the discovery of the vehicle. Rebecca's mother told police she had not heard from her daughter and did not know her whereabouts. Rebecca's parents subsequently filed a missing persons' report. 

While investigating Rebecca's disappearance, police obtained the surveillance footage from the Meridian gas station where she was seen with John Poisso Jr. It appears that Poisso was the last known person to have seen Rebecca. As such, Poisso was questioned extensively, and his residence was searched. However, investigators were unable to find any evidence directly linking Poisso to Rebecca's disappearance.

Poisso was later convicted of drug charges unrelated to Rebecca's case. In August 2025 - almost 10 years after Rebecca vanished - Poisso passed away in prison. Although investigators were never able to charge him with anything related to Rebecca's disappearance, it is still believed that he had information that would have been helpful to the case. However, investigators also believe there are several other people "who were associating with her at the time had connections to the area her stuff was found in." Despite this, no other persons of interest have ever been publicly identified. 

Rebecca remains missing today. In September 2025, it was announced that there is a $31,000 reward in exchange for information that could help solve her case. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Marengo County District Attorney’s Office at 334-289-2149 or the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office at 601-482-9806.

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Sources:
Charley Project

Dateline
Meridian Star
NamUs

The Disappearance of Callie Cooper

 

Callie Cooper has been missing since July 13th, 2017. That day, the then-25-year-old took a Greyhound bus from Texas to Mississippi. Callie exited the bus in Jackson, MS; she was last seen at Jackson's Greyhound station. What happened after that remains a mystery. She has never been seen or heard from again.

Very few details are available about Callie's case. Various sources indicate she lived in Cross Plains, Texas prior to her disappearance. There does not appear to be any publicly shared information about why Callie traveled to Mississippi, or if she planned to meet up with anyone there. 

After Callie was reported missing, police in Ackerman, Mississippi were put in charge of investigating her case. Callie's loved ones have expressed frustration with the police investigation; citing that police have not truly searched for her. Family members have posted Callie's missing person flyer on social media, but unfortunately no updates have been provided in years.

If you have any information that could help solve the disappearance of Callie Cooper, please contact authorities at 662-285-3600.

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Sources:
Charley Project
MissingSippi
Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons

The Disappearance of Moriah-Danielle Ludwig

Source: Facebook

Moriah-Danielle Ludwig was only 20 years-old when she vanished during 2014. The young woman was living in Gulfport, Mississippi at the time of her disappearance. Most sources regarding her case state that she was last seen in Gulfport as well. 

The events leading up to Moriah's disappearance are unknown. This is likely due to the fact that police did not begin investigating her case until 2018. At that point, Moriah's family members reported her missing after telling investigators that they had not seen or heard from her in over four years. 

Once the investigation began, it was determined that Moriah had contact with law enforcement on October 31st, 2014. The nature of her contact with police that day is unclear, but this encounter is the last documented trace of Moriah. It appears that nobody has seen or heard from her since that day. 

There are very few details available about Moriah's case. Her loved ones have been spreading awareness about her disappearance on social media. There have been a few comments indicating potential sightings of Moriah both in person and online, but according to her mother, the sightings were dead ends. 

Moriah is described as a biracial woman with brown eyes and black hair that is often dyed a lighter color. At the time of her disappearance, she was approximately 5'3" and 90-110 lbs. She has several tattoos and also may use aliases such as Danielle Kieper or Danielle Moriah Mitchell.

If you have any information that could help solve Moriah's case, please contact the Harrison County Sheriff's Department at 228-896-0664.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Facebook
MissingSippi
Mississippi Coast Crimestoppers
NamUs

Other cases with large reporting gaps:

• The Disappearance of Brandee Hope Canipe
• The Disappearance of Colin Arey
• The Disappearance and Death of Juanita Diane Roxy Coleman
• The Disappearance of Robin Best-Bey
• The Disappearance of Sylvia Galvan

The Disappearance and Death of Julius TaDarius Jones

Julius 'TaDarius' Jones (26) vanished on August 14th, 2011. He lived in Meridian, Mississippi at the time of his disappearance. TaDarius' loved ones last saw him on the evening he went missing. He ate dinner with his family, went out afterwards, then never returned home. TaDarius was never seen or heard from again.

Two days after he was last seen, TaDarius' car was found parked near an abandoned home on 27th Street. There was no sign of TaDarius at the scene and no additional clues were found. Investigators reportedly chased numerous leads over the years, but no suspects were ever named. His family members believed he met with foul play since the onset of the investigation. There has been a lot of online speculation about specific people being involved. It appears said people have been interviewed by police, but no arrests have been made. 

On February 19th, 2019, TaDarius was declared legally dead. It appears that this declaration was made by law enforcement, as TaDarius's mother said she did not learn that her son had been declared dead until July 2022. This news was inevitably upsetting to TaDarius' family as they still hoped for answers.

Years passed without any sign of TaDarius. Then, in August 2024, human remains were found in the 2300 block of 26th Street. In January 2025, those human remains were positively identified as Julius 'TaDarius' Jones. His death remains under investigation.

After the identification of TaDarius' remains, his father spoke to reporters about their family's ongoing search for answers. He stated, "Eventually, we’re going to find out now really what happened to our son because his body was his remains were found at one location. His vehicle found another location, so there’s no closure in that, and we just really want to know this time what happened, and my heart goes out to whoever may know who may have information. That they have lived with this for 13 going on 14 years with this information and haven’t said anything, and I’m pleading today that if you know anything, please come forward to really give us rest and closure."

If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Meridian Police Department at 601-485-1859.

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Sources:
ABC 11
Charley Project
The Meridian Star

TV One
Twin States News

The Murder of Ashley Smylie

 

On March 19th, 2024, 40-year-old Ashley Smylie was tragically shot and killed in her home in Brandon, Mississippi. Her death has left the Rankin County community in shock and mourning, as Ashley was a beloved teacher at Northwest Rankin High School. The shock deepened when it was revealed that the person responsible for her death was her own teenage daughter, Carly Madison Gregg.

Carly, only 14 years old at the time of the incident, shot her mother in her bedroom. Later that evening, as her stepfather, Heath Smylie, entered their house, Carly shot him as well, striking him in the shoulder. Despite his injury, Heath managed to wrestle the gun away from her. Carly then fled the scene. 

Shortly thereafter, Heath found Ashley's body on the floor of Carly's bedroom. He then called 9-1-1 to report the shootings. Police later found Carly near the home and took her into custody. 

Source: WJTV

Carly was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. According to reports at the time of her arrest, she had killed her mother, attempted to kill her stepfather, and hidden the home's security cameras in an effort to conceal the crime. It was further announced that Carly would be tried as an adult on all charges.

Ashley's death has been a devastating loss for her family, friends, and students. Many were left with questions, such as: why did Carly kill her own mother? And how could such a young girl commit such horrific crime? Months later, these questions and more were addressed as Carly's trial began in Rankin County.

An insanity defense.

Source: Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the opening statements, Carly’s defense team didn’t dispute that she had killed her mother and wounded her stepfather. However, they argued that Carly was battling an improperly treated mental illness at the time, which clouded her judgment and actions. According to the defense, Carly never harbored any true intent to harm either her mother or stepfather.

"This is not a who-dun-it case. We know who took action on March 19 to bring about the death of Ashley Smylie and the injuries to Heath Smylie," defense attorney Bridget Todd told the courtroom. "This is a why case."

The events leading up to the murder.

The prosecution, on the other hand, presented a very different story. Prior to Todd's opening statements, Mississippi state prosecutor Kathryn White Newman told the jury that Carly was leading a "secret life" that she wanted to keep hidden from her mother and stepfather. She reportedly had begun both smoking and vaping marijuana in the weeks leading up to the murder. Carly reportedly also was using "burner phones" and texting apps that she kept hidden from her parents. 

Prosecutor Newman also noted that Carly's new behaviors had raised alarms among her friends. One friend became so concerned that he contacted Carly’s mother to share his worries. That conversation occurred on the very same day as the murder.

Further testimony revealed that Ashley and Carly returned home that afternoon at 3:54 PM, as was typical during the week. By this time, it is believed that Ashley had already confronted Carly about her suspected marijuana use. Shortly after they arrived, Ashley went into Carly’s bedroom to search for evidence and reportedly discovered vape pens hidden in the room.

Shooting heard on camera.

A security camera in the family's kitchen captured the harrowing events that followed. While Ashley was still in Carly's room, the footage, which was shown during trial, showed Carly "walking from her parent's room with a hand behind her back, towards her bedroom. Seconds later a shot is heard, followed by screams, and then two additional shots." (Source: Vicksburg News).

Carly walking past kitchen, presumably with gun behind back. Source: WAPT

Moments later, Carly is seen walking back into the kitchen with her hands behind her back. She then places the concealed item on the counter and sits down on a bar stool. Seconds later, Carly picks up a phone from the counter and begins calmly typing a message.

According to testimony from Carly's stepfather, Heath, she was using her mother’s phone in this footage. She was reportedly sending text messages to Heath, pretending to be Ashley, asking when he would be home. Heath noted that the messages appeared to match Ashley's usual texting tone, and he did not suspect anything was wrong at the time he received the messages.

Carly texting from her mother's phone moments after the murder. (Law & Crime TV)

The friend witness and the attempted murder of Heath.

Heath testified that he received the text messages from who he believed was his wife around 4:14 PM. However, he didn’t return home until shortly after 5:00 PM. During that approximate 45-minute window, Carly sent messages from her own phone to two different friends, claiming she had an emergency and needed help.

One of the friends was dropped off at Carly’s house shortly after. Upon her arrival, Carly asked if she had ever seen a dead body and if she was "squeamish" around them. Carly then led her friend into her bedroom, where her mother’s lifeless body lay on the floor. She confessed to her friend, saying, "I put three in my mom, and I got three more waiting for my stepdad."

Surveillance footage from the home's garage shows that Heath arrived back at the residence around 5:03 PM. Heath testified about the moment Carly shot him, telling the jury, "When I opened the door to the kitchen, the gun went off in my face before the door was three or four inches wide open." He then explained that the gun went off two more times, but he was able to wrestle it away from Carly after the first shot - which grazed him in the shoulder.

Carly fled the scene shortly thereafter. Heath then discovered his body of his wife on Carly's bedroom floor. He subsequently called 9-1-1.

Carly's arrest and charges.

Police located Carly approximately half a mile from her home, where she was taken into custody without incident. Following her arrest, authorities announced that Carly would be charged as an adult with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence.

Carly Gregg in court. (Source: WAPT)

The news of Ashley's murder and the subsequent arrest of her teenage daughter quickly garnered nationwide attention. Many were shocked by the idea that a young girl could commit such horrific crimes against her own mother and stepfather. While it’s not uncommon for teenagers to argue with their parents, it rarely escalates to the point of a child committing murder.

Both those close to Ashley and Carly, as well as strangers, were stunned by the tragedy. Many were also surprised that Carly, only 14 years old at the time, was being charged as an adult. During the trial, Carly's attorneys argued that her age, along with her improperly treated mental illness, played a significant role in her actions.

Professional testimony from both defense and prosecution.

Carly's defense called Psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark to testify about Carly's "mental state at the time of the offense and her resulting level of criminal culpability under Mississippi law." Dr. Clark stated that Carly was suffering from a mental health crisis at the time of the shootings and has "no memory whatsoever" of shooting her mother and stepfather. 

Testimony during the state's rebuttal contradicts Dr. Clark's assessment of Carly's mental state. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Jason C. Pickett testified that he disagreed that Carly was legally insane at the time she shot her mother and stepfather. Carly's therapist also testified that Carly appeared emotional stable and their final session, which occurred just one day before the shootings. 

A guilty verdict and an adult sentence.

After a five-day trial, the jury found Carly guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to life in prison for both the murder and attempted murder charges, with an additional 10 years for tampering with evidence.

Carly’s life sentence at the age of 15 has sparked widespread debate. Some believe that she deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison, while others argue that she can be rehabilitated and should receive a lesser sentence. This debate continues to unfold on various online forums.

An appeal.

In October 2024, it was reported that Carly’s defense team filed an appeal, requesting a new trial. The defense motion cites over a dozen reasons why Carly should receive another trial, including the claim that "witnesses necessary to establish Carly’s defense were improperly excluded from testifying at the trial" and that "witnesses were improperly restricted in the testimony they could provide in Carly’s defense." This suggests that the defense still aims to prove Carly was not legally sane at the time the crimes were committed.

Carly’s biological father, Kevin Gregg, spoke out after the trial. While he continues to support Carly, he denies that she was legally insane. He told reporters, "That girl knew right from wrong. That girl is not insane. That was a very dumb defense if you asked me, but I wasn’t involved. Nobody ever called me."

Where is Carly now?

Carly is currently being housed in the Youthful Offender Unit at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Her appeal case is currently pending. 

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Sources:
Court TV, (2)
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
NBC 15 News
Super Talk FM
Vicksburg News
WAPT 15
WDAM-TV

The Disappearance of Sarah Lindsey Rozniewski

Source: Attempt to Locate on Facebook

Sarah Lindsey Rozniewski (also known as Sarah Cooper) has been missing since the spring of 2021. The then-31-year-old lived in St. Martin, Mississippi at the time of her disappearance. Sarah was reported missing to the Biloxi Police Department by a friend on March 21st, 2022. 

The friend who filed the missing person's report told police that it had been several months since any friends or family had heard from Sarah. Due to this, an exact timeline leading up to her disappearance is unknown. However, the investigation did reveal that Sarah's last bank activity occurred on May 10th, 2021 - nearly ten months before she was reported missing. 

According to MissingSippi.org, the last known sighting of Sarah occurred weeks later, on May 31st, 2021, at her apartment in St. Martin. Details about that last sighting have not been disclosed. Sarah has never been seen or heard from again.

Various comments online indicate that Sarah's sister and friends attempted to report her missing many times over the months before the police finally agreed to open her case. 

Source: Facebook

Details about the status of the investigation have been kept under wraps. The Biloxi Police were originally in charged investigating Sarah's disappearance, but it has since been passed to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. 

Sarah's loved ones are devastated by her disappearance and are still searching for answers. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Police Department at (228)769-3024 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
Biloxi PD Facebook post
Magnolia State Live
MissingSippi
Mississippi Coast Crimestoppers

The Disappearance of Katrina Kinsey

image source

Katrina Kinsey has been missing since August 14th, 2021. The then-18-year-old was last seen at her family's home in Jackson, Mississippi. Katrina's father told authorities that he saw his daughter right before he left for an overnight work shift. When he returned home the following morning, Katrina was gone. She has never been seen or heard from again.

There are very few details available in Katrina's case. It appears that the local news has had minimal - if any - reporting about her disappearance. Katrina's social media accounts do not seem to have any pertinent information that would help solve the case. 

It is unknown is Katrina left on her own accord or if any of her personal items were missing from the home. The details of her life around the time of her disappearance remain unknown as well. What is known is that Katrina has not been seen since August of 2021 - and her wellbeing is not accounted for. 

The Jackson Police Department is tasked with solving Katrina's case. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact authorities at 601-960-1234.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Our Black Girls
Uncovered

The Murder of Jeremy Jackson

(source)

Jeremy Jackson was only 30 years-old when he was found brutally murdered on June 10th, 2017. The young man lived in Jackson, Mississippi - as did many of his family members. On the day Jeremy was found, his older brother received a text message containing a picture of a severed head placed upon front porch steps of a local home. It was immediately clear that the severed head belonged to Jeremy.

A few hours later, the rest of Jeremy's body was found less than a mile away. His body had experienced trauma, including severe burns and a gunshot wound to the leg. However, an autopsy later confirmed that Jeremy died by decapitation - meaning he was still alive up until the moment his head was decapitated. His head was then placed on porch steps where it could be seen by passersby.

(source)

Jeremy's family members are baffled by his murder. He was raising three children and working towards his master's degree at the time of his death. His older brother Corey reported that he last saw Jeremy alive a day earlier, and nothing seemed unusual. He had driven him to a job interview that day, and he was offered the position. Corey explained that Jeremy "didn’t seem worried or scared like something was going to happen to him or someone was looking for him." 

By all accounts, it appeared that Jeremy was doing well before his death. So, what led to him being murdered in such a brutal way? Unfortunately, Jeremy's murder remains unsolved - but there are a few theories about the killer(s).

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An experienced killer.

Forensic criminal experts believe that Jeremy's killer(s) are experienced. The nature of the crime fits the criteria of a prolific criminal. Criminal psychologist Kaitlyn Hampshire stated that "she believes there was more than one perpetrator because of how difficult it would be to cleanly cut through tough skin and the spinal column." 

Experts also believe that this was not the work of a first-time killer. This is inevitably concerning to people in the community of Jackson - and it also raises even more questions about how Jeremy and this person crossed paths.

Gangs in Mississippi.

There has been speculation that Jeremy's death was gang related. Gang experts have confirmed the presence of the MS-13 gang in Mississippi. Reports state that the MS-13 gang has been known to decapitate and burn bodies - which matches how Jeremy was killed. 

Still, detectives have yet to publicly comment on whether or not they believe MS-13 is involved in Jeremy's murder. They also have not commented on whether or not they found any link between Jeremy and MS-13 or any other gang. While it may seem plausible, forensic experts also maintain that Jeremy's murderer may be a "copycat killer trying to confuse investigators."

A message.

Jeremy's family members believe that Jeremy's brutal murder was meant to send a message. Shortly after his death, Jeremy's other older brother, Johnny Jackson, stated that he believes his brother was targeted for a reason. Johnny was quoted saying, "From my speculation it was a message sent from somebody or to the city because you just don't kill somebody in the bushes then take their head and put in on display. They displayed him and you could ride down the street and see it on the step. To me, it was a message to somebody."

Both local residents and authorities have expressed beliefs that the killer was trying to send a message as well. The way Jeremy's head was displayed openly indicates that the killer(s) wanted him to be seen. But the question still remains: why?

Where the case stands today.

Jeremy's murder remains unsolved. There is a monetary reward available for anyone with information that could lead to the killer(s). If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact Jackson Police at (601) 960-1234.

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Sources:
HuffPost
Metro News
NY Daily News
The Sun

The Disappearance of Kaila Morris

 

Kaila Morris has been missing since September 17th, 2009. The then-21-year-old was last seen in the New Hope community of Columbus, Mississippi. At the time of her disappearance, Kaila was a student at Mississippi State University in Starkville. She was living near the campus in a condo that she shared with her stepbrother. Kaila's mother and stepfather lived in the New Hope community; located approximately 36 miles away from her condo. On the day Kaila vanished, she was visiting her parent's house. 

Kaila's mother, Bonnie Thames, was on vacation in Florida during Kaila's visit to their home on September 17th. The only person at the residence was Kaila's stepfather, Robert 'Butch' Triplett. According to Butch, Kaila left the home around 8:00 PM, after saying she was going to Carrollton, Alabama to visit her best friend Labriska Walker, and her godson. Butch said Kaila was picked up in a dark-colored van or SUV. She left her own car and her dog at the residence. Kaila has never been seen or heard from again. 

Butch's version of events implies that there was some sort of mix-up between Kaila and Labriska. Butch claimed that Labriska and her son showed up at the New Hope residence about 15 minutes after Kaila left. It was reportedly not unusual for Kaila and Labriska to show up at each other's homes unannounced, as it was difficult for them to get in touch via call or text due to the lack of cell phone service in New Hope. 

The following afternoon, Kaila's mother Bonnie spoke to Butch, who told her that Kaila was still at Labriska's house. Bonnie thought it was odd for Kaila to leave for that long without taking her dog. Bonnie then decided to reach out to Labriska on Facebook, who told her that Kaila had never shown up at her house. Bonnie said she immediately knew something was wrong at that point, so she asked Butch to report Kaila missing to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Department. 

Although Kaila was an adult at the time she vanished, her loved ones were immediately concerned for her safety. Many have described Kaila as an extremely shy and cautious young woman. She would often lock the door to the condo that she shared with her stepbrother the second he'd leave the residence–even if he was just taking out the trash. In addition to her dog and her car, Kaila also left behind her medication, which she required daily, and many of her other personal belongings. With all of this is mind, it seems unlikely that Kaila vanished on her own accord. 

As police investigated Kaila's disappearance, they learned of many suspicious circumstances involving Butch. He initially presented himself as a concerned stepfather, even stating he was upset with himself for not getting more information from Kaila about her plans that evening. However, as the investigation continued, detectives learned some concerning information about both Butch himself and his relationship with Kaila. The events that followed Kaila's disappearance further deepened these concerns.

--

Robert 'Butch' Triplett was not a stranger to police, even before Kaila vanished. In fact, during 1997 he was found guilty of forcible rape in Louisiana. Butch was sentenced to six years in prison, but in 2001 his conviction was reduced to a simple battery charge and he was released six months later. In 2003, he was yet again charged with attempted sexual battery, but those charges were dropped after the victim declined to show up to court. 

Butch also reportedly had inappropriate interactions with Kaila. At some point throughout the investigation, Butch admitted to giving Kaila a massage while she was topless. He also admitted to kissing her on the lips on two different occasions, but said he never did it again after it "seemed like she didn't like it". 

Investigators found that Kaila's bedsheets were freshly washed after she vanished. Butch claimed that she had asked him to wash them before she left the residence. He also said that Kaila asked him to check on property that she owned in Pickens County, Alabama. Butch said that he went to the property with an ax and a shovel, but got his ATV stuck for two hours. Investigators searched said property, but did not find any sign of Kaila.

Investigators eventually got a warrant for Butch's computer. Hundreds of child pornography images were found on the hard drive. Butch claimed he was unaware that the individuals in the photos were underage. He was subsequently arrested on charges of possession of child pornography. 

Kaila's mother Bonnie continued to support Butch. She maintained that she did not believe he was involved in Kaila's disappearance, nor did she believe he was guilty of the child pornography charges. However, Bonnie eventually changed her tune, stopped paying his legal fees, and filed for divorce. With his legal fees no longer being paid for, Butch ultimately pleaded guilty. He was deemed a habitual offender and as a result, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison. 

Butch has never been charged with anything related to Kaila's case, and he has continued to deny involvement in her disappearance. Kaila remains missing today, and it has been several years since an update in the investigation. 

If you have any information that could help solve Kaila's case, please submit a tip.

--

Sources:
The Dispatch (2) (3)
Southern Macabre

WCBI

The Disappearance and Death of Juanita Diane Roxy Coleman

 

Juanita Diane Roxy Coleman vanished at the age of 19 on April 1st, 2016. She was last seen at her mother's home in Jackson, Mississippi. Two years later, on March 13th, 2018, Juanita's partially burned remains were found by workers from a tree-cutting company in Bolton. Her remains were not identified until May 2022.

It took many years for Juanita to be identified because she was not reported missing until March 2020--four years after she was last seen. Reports state that Juanita's mother filed a missing person's report on March 11th, 2020. It is unclear why it took four years for Juanita to finally be reported missing, and there are very few details available about the circumstances of her disappearance.

Once Juanita was reported missing, very few news outlets shared information about her disappearance. Some of the very few sources that posted about her disappearance stated that Juanita's family heard she had been shot in the face, but there was no further elaboration on that detail. If the family had, in fact, heard this about Juanita, it's unclear if they heard about it back in 2016 or not. If so, it seems even more questionable that she was not reported missing until 2020. 

Unbeknownst to investigators, Juanita had already been found deceased a whole two years before she was reported missing. In April 2022, Juanita's mother provided investigators with a DNA sample. That DNA sample was positively linked to the partially burned remains that had been found in Bolton during 2018. In May 2022, it was announced that the remains had been positively identified as that of Juanita Coleman. 

Forensic investigators have been unable to determine the cause or manner of Juanita's death. However, they have stated that her death is suspicious. Very few other details have been released.

There are many more questions than there are answers in Juanita's case. Very little information is available. If you have any information that could help solve Juanita's case, please contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234.

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Sources:

[Charley Project]

[Dark Horse Press Now]

[DNAsolves.com]

[Uncovered]

[WJTV]

The Disappearance of Jasmine Purvis

 

Jasmine Purvis has been missing since December 3rd, 2020. The 29-year-old woman was last seen near Carnation Street in Jackson, Mississippi. Jasmine reportedly left the area in a dark blue Chevrolet Tahoe SUV driven by an unidentified man. She never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again.

On the day Jasmine vanished, she called her grandfather and asked him to pick her up. Within a 15-minute span, Jasmine called the grandfather numerous times to ask him to hurry. However, by the time the grandfather showed up, Jasmine was gone. Jasmine's boyfriend explained that she said she had found another ride. All calls made to Jasmine's phone went unanswered, and it was eventually shut off.

Various sources state that Jasmine witnessed her friend being murdered just weeks before her disappearance. There is very little information available about this murder, but according to MissingSippi.org, the "vehicle seen leaving the crime scene is the same vehicle Purvis was last seen leaving in." Despite this information, investigators have yet to confirm that the murder and Jasmine's disappearance are related--though many believe this to be the case.

There is very little additional information available about Jasmine's case. A few months after she was reported missing, Hinds County deputies told reporters that there was very little progress in their investigation. At this time, no arrests have been made, nor have any suspects of persons-of-interest been publicly named.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is being asked to contact the Hinds County Sheriff's Office at 601-352-1521 or the Criminal Investigations Division at 601-974-2914.

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Sources:
Charley Project
MissingSippi
WAPT

The Murder of Ally Kostial

Ally Kostial was a 21-year-old rising senior at Ole Miss when she was brutally murdered on July 20th, 2019. Shortly thereafter, a fellow student and Ally's on-again, off-again romantic partner Brandon Theesfeld (22) was arrested and charged with Ally's murder. Ally's body was found just hours after she was killed, at Buford's Ridge in Harmontown, Mississippi. She had been shot 8 times in the stomach.

It did not take investigators long to identify Brandon as a suspect. He was known to frequent Buford's Ridge with friends, as it was approximately 30 miles away from the Ole Miss campus in Oxford. According to various people Ole Miss students, Brandon was also well-known for being disrespectful towards women. Many of Ally's friends stated that Brandon had manipulated her and treated her poorly during their on-again, off-again relationship. However, Ally's friends explained that Ally always saw the good in him.

Police located and arrested Brandon two days after Ally's murder, on July 22nd, 2019. Cell phone and credit card records led police to a gas station in South Memphis, where they were able to catch up to him. Authorities initially remained quiet about the investigation into the murder, however many of Ally's friends revealed a potential motive: Ally was rumored to be pregnant with Brandon's child. Brandon was furious that Ally did not want to have an abortion. 

As the case unfolded, the harrowing story about the real events that led up to Ally's murder was revealed. 

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2021: Theesfeld accepts a plea deal.

In August 2021, it was reported that, after initially pleading not guilty, Brandon Theesfeld had decided to plead guilty to Ally's murder. Brandon made this decision after a deal was made to reduce his charge from capital murder to first-degree murder. The first-degree murder charge results in an automatic life sentence. 

August 27th, 2021: Theesfeld pleads guilty. 

Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in court on August 27th, 2021. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Ally and Brandon had a sexual relationship off-and-on throughout their time at University of Mississippi. As previously noted, Brandon was known to be disrespectful towards women, including Ally, but Ally was still interested in pursuing the relationship.

Ally Kostial and Brandon Theesfeld.

On April 12th, 2019, Ally reached out to Brandon to tell him that she thought she might be pregnant. A couple days later, she sent him a picture of an inconclusive pregnancy test. Over the next few months, Ally contacted Brandon several times and asked him to meet up with her - but he did not oblige. 

Finally, on July 12th, 2019, Brandon messaged Ally and said he did not want to meet up, but he did want her to get an abortion. Days later, on July 18th, Brandon messaged Ally again and said he had changed his mind and was willing to meet up. During the early morning hours of the 19th, Brandon picked Ally up from her residence in Oxford and drove her 40 miles away to Buford's Ridge at Sardis Lake. There, he shot her to death and then left her body behind. 

After pleading guilty in court, Brandon made the following statement: "I am sincerely sorry for the pain I've caused while taking Ally from you. My actions have forever changed your lives and my family's lives. I wish I could take it all back but I can't. There is no excuse for my actions, and I have asked God for forgiveness. I hope one day that you will find it in your heart to forgive me." 

Still, Brandon has not revealed a motive for the killing. There is inevitable speculation that he was motivated by Ally's alleged pregnancy - however, an autopsy confirmed that she was not actually pregnant at the time of her death.  

Brandon was sentenced to life in prison. 

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Sources:
CBS News
The Oxford Eagle
People

The Disappearance of Kamesha Williams

 

Kamesha Williams has been missing since August 9th, 2009. She was 24 years-old at the time of her disappearance, and she was raising two young children. Kamesha was last seen riding her bike away her friend's house in Byhalia, Mississippi. She never made it home and has never been seen or heard from again.

Kamesha left her friend's residence around 11:00 AM. Approximately 12 hours later, her cell phone was used to call a male acquaintance. The acquaintance was in the Memphis, Tennessee area at the time. Kamesha's phone pinged off of a tower near the Mississippi/Tennessee state line when the call was made. It's unclear if Kamesha herself was the one to actually make the call, or if somebody else had possession of her phone. The phone has not been used again.

Kamesha remains missing today, and her case has unfortunately gone cold. There are very few details available about the investigation. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is in charge of her case. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please call 662-252-1311.

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Sources:
Charley Project

MissingSippi

The Disappearance of Demakia Phinizee

Demakia Phinizee vanished at the age of 26 on October 12th, 2007. At the time of her disappearance, Demakia was had just become a veteran. She had recently completed five years in the U.S. Army and had started working as a security guard at the Fillmore Center—an alternative school located in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Demakia was seen dropping somebody off at the school before driving away in her red Pontiac Grand Am (pictured below). She never returned home to her three children and has never been seen or heard from again.

Later that evening, Demakia’s car was found parked at the Warfield Apartments on Jackson Street in Tupelo. Witnesses reportedly saw the vehicle entering the complex at a high-speed rate. After it was parked, the witnesses saw a black male wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans getting out of car’s driver seat before running behind the apartment building. Said male has never been identified.

Several years passed without any information or updates in Demakia's case. Then, in April 2020, more details were finally revealed.  At that time, it was reported that Demakia's husband, Robert Delawrence "Tre" Phinizee has reportedly been a person of interest in the case since the early stages. When police questioned him about Demakia's disappearance, he told them that he last saw her around 6am on the day she vanished. He also told police that he suspected Demakia had "run off with a new boyfriend." However, investigators have not found any evidence to support this theory. Tre and Demakia were separated at the time she vanished, and she was seeing another man, but this man is not considered a person of interest.

The day after Demakia's disappearance, Tre took their children and moved out of Tupelo. He later remarried. In February 2020, he was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of his new wife. With Tre behind bars, investigators are hoping to once again question him and look into his involvement in Demakia's disappearance. 

Northeast Mississippi Crimestoppers has taken over the investigation into Demakia’s disapearance. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact them at 1-800-773-8477.