Mississippi mother and daughter found dead in Alabama

Authorities in Mississippi and Alabama are investigating the deaths of a Jackson mother and her young daughter, found days after being reported missing.

Missing Mother and Daughter Discovered Dead

The Jackson Police Department confirmed that authorities found Shardee McGill, 33, and her 3-year-old daughter, Janae, dead near Epes, Alabama. On Thursday, search teams located McGill’s body in a shallow body of water. The following day, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones announced that they found Janae’s body nearby.

Timeline of Disappearance

The mother and daughter were last seen alive on Sunday. Their disappearance was reported Monday morning by Shardee’s husband, 34-year-old Johnathan McGill.  On Monday morning, 34-year-old Johnathan McGill, Shardee’s husband, reported their disappearance. The family lived in northeast Jackson.

Authorities launched a multi-agency search involving Jackson police, the FBI, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and Alabama’s State Bureau of Investigation. The black Chevrolet Equinox they were traveling in was recovered in Epes, Alabama. The vehicle was unoccupied.

Missing Mississippi Mother and Daughter Investigation Status

Johnathan McGill was detained and questioned in Alabama but later released. Interim Jackson Police Chief Tyree Jones stated that the investigation remains ongoing. “We don’t have any suspect information or a cause of death. We don’t have any evidence at this time to lead to any type of arrest,” Jones said.

Both deaths are being treated as suspicious. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identities and determine the causes of death.

Community Reaction and Appeal for Information

The tragedy has shaken the Jackson community. McGill, a fitness trainer, was remembered by clients and coworkers as a vibrant and caring individual.

Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).