In the serene town of Oxford, Mississippi, the University of Mississippi community was jolted by the unsettling disappearance of Jimmie “Jay” Lee, a 20-year-old student celebrated for his vibrant presence in the local LGBTQ+ scene. On July 8, 2022, Lee was last observed departing from the Campus Walk Apartments in his distinctive black Ford Fusion, bearing the personalized license plate “JAYLEE1.” Despite extensive searches, his vehicle was later discovered abandoned at a different apartment complex, but Lee himself remained missing.
The investigation swiftly led authorities to Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., a 24-year-old Ole Miss graduate from Grenada, Mississippi. Evidence indicated that Herrington and Lee had been in communication on the morning of Lee’s disappearance. Notably, Herrington’s digital footprint revealed a chilling Google search: “how long does it take to strangle someone,” conducted minutes after Lee informed him of his impending arrival at Herrington’s apartment.
Further deepening suspicions, surveillance footage captured Herrington purchasing duct tape at a local Walmart and later driving to his hometown on the day Lee vanished. Despite these findings, Herrington has consistently asserted his innocence. In October 2022, a judge declared Lee legally dead, acknowledging the catastrophic event that led to his disappearance and the subsequent exhaustive yet fruitless search efforts.
The legal proceedings commenced in December 2024, with Herrington standing trial for capital murder. The prosecution painted a narrative of a clandestine relationship, suggesting that Herrington, who was not openly part of the LGBTQ+ community, took drastic measures to conceal his association with Lee. Conversely, the defense emphasized the absence of Lee’s body and direct evidence linking Herrington to a fatal act, urging the jury to consider the possibility that no crime had occurred.
After eight days of testimony and over nine hours of deliberation, the jury reached an impasse, unable to deliver a unanimous verdict. Consequently, the judge declared a mistrial, leaving the case unresolved and the Lee family in continued anguish. As of now, Herrington remains free on bond, with the anticipation of a retrial looming on the horizon.
The haunting absence of Jay Lee serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring quest for justice within the Oxford community.