Accident – Death – Obituary News :

66-Year-Old Mississippi Woman Charged with Murder After Son’s Body Found

CNN
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Discovery of Body in Hidden Wooden Box Leads to Murder Charge

A 66-year-old woman from Mississippi has been arrested and charged with murder after the body of her 42-year-old son was found concealed inside a wooden box behind a false wall in her Gulfport home. The shocking discovery has sent shockwaves through the community.

Identity of the Accused and Details of the Investigation

The accused, Jerri Roby, who also goes by the last name Israel, now faces a first-degree murder charge. According to Gulfport Police Department spokesman Jason DuCré, the investigation began on December 22, 2023, after a relative from out-of-state reported Gaither missing. The last known contact with Gaither was on December 10, raising concerns about his well-being.

As the police delved deeper into the case, they discovered discrepancies in the statements provided by Roby, who became increasingly uncooperative and changed her statements multiple times. These inconsistencies raised suspicions and intensified the investigation, leading to the shocking truth behind the hidden box.

Previous Conviction and Attempts to Conceal the Body

Authorities revealed that Roby had previously been convicted of murder in Florida around 1995. Shockingly, it was discovered that she had attempted to dispose of the deceased subject’s body at various locations throughout Florida. The details of her previous conviction and subsequent attempts to hide the body have only added to the disturbing nature of the case.

Search Warrant and the Grisly Discovery

Detectives and crime scene technicians executed a search warrant at Roby’s residence on January 18. However, as they entered her home, Roby ingested a handful of unspecified pills, necessitating her immediate transportation to a hospital for medical treatment. It was during this search that the shocking discovery was made—a wooden box containing the deceased body of John Allen Gaither was found hidden behind a false wall.

Attempted Cover-Up and Additional Wooden Boxes

In an attempt to cover up the crime, Roby had written notes to family members, posing as her son and assuring them that he was alright. The investigation also revealed the presence of multiple homemade wooden boxes both in the house and the garage, further deepening the mystery surrounding the case.

Arrest and Flight Risk

Roby was apprehended on Saturday following her release from the hospital. Due to her previous criminal record and the seriousness of the charges, she is now being held without bond at the Harrison County Detention Center. Authorities have deemed her a flight risk, emphasizing the need for strict measures to ensure her presence during legal proceedings.

Upcoming Court Appearance and Legal Representation

At present, details regarding Roby’s upcoming court appearance and legal representation remain unknown. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected to shed light on the motive behind this heinous crime.

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