The town of Oxford, Mississippi, usually feels like a postcard. It’s all red bricks, tall oaks, and that heavy Southern heat that makes everything move a little slower. But for nearly three years, a dark cloud sat over the University of Mississippi campus. It started when Jimmie "Jay" Lee, a vibrant, 20-year-old grad student and a well-known face in the local LGBTQ+ community, vanished into thin air on a Friday morning in July 2022.
Everyone was looking for Jay.
The search didn't just end with a missing person poster. It led straight to Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., a fellow Ole Miss graduate who seemed, on paper, like the last person you'd expect to see in handcuffs. He was from an affluent family in Grenada, the grandson of a prominent bishop, a guy who played in the church band.
But the digital trail told a different story.
The Disappearance and the Digital Smoking Gun
It was July 8, 2022. Jay Lee was last seen leaving his apartment at Campus Walk around 6:00 a.m. He was wearing a silver robe and gray slippers. Basically, he looked like he was just popping out for a second.
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He never came back.
When investigators started digging into Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., they found a series of Snapchat messages between the two. They’d been involved in a "sorta" secret relationship. Prosecutors later argued that Herrington was terrified of being "outed."
The evidence was chilling. Minutes after Jay messaged Herrington to say he was on his way over, Herrington’s Google search history showed a query for: "how long does it take to strangle someone."
He even added "Gabby Petito" to the search.
Then there was the surveillance footage. Police found Herrington at a Walmart buying duct tape. Later, he was spotted at his parents' house grabbing a shovel and a wheelbarrow. For a long time, though, there was one massive piece of the puzzle missing.
No body.
The Mistrial and the Discovery in the Woods
By late 2024, the state decided to go ahead with a capital murder trial even though Jay hadn't been found. It was a gamble. A judge had legally declared Jay dead, but without a body, the defense had plenty of room to sow doubt.
The trial in December 2024 ended in a mess.
After nine and a half hours of deliberation, the jury couldn't agree. A mistrial was declared. One juror reportedly couldn't get past the fact that there was no physical remains. For the Lee family, it was a devastating blow. It felt like justice was slipping away.
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Then came February 2025.
Deer hunters in a remote area of Carroll County—not far from where Herrington grew up—stumbled upon skeletal remains in a wooded gully. The Mississippi Crime Lab confirmed the nightmare: it was Jay.
Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. and the 40-Year Sentence
With the discovery of the body, the leverage shifted completely. The state slapped Herrington with a new indictment, including a charge for tampering with evidence.
On December 1, 2025, just as a second trial was about to kick off with a fresh jury, Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. did something he hadn't done in three years.
He took responsibility.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Honestly, it was a shock to many who had watched him maintain a stoic, not-guilty stance through the first trial.
The Breakdown of the Sentence:
- Second-Degree Murder: 30 years in prison.
- Tampering with Evidence: 10 years in prison.
- Total Time: 40 years to be served consecutively.
- Probation: Five years supervised and five years unsupervised following his release.
Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Luther didn't mince words during the sentencing on December 2, 2025. He told Herrington, "You still have a chance at life. Mr. Lee does not."
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It was a heavy day in the Oxford courtroom. Jay’s father, Jimmie Lee, spoke directly to the man who killed his son. He talked about the trauma of having to touch his son's skull after the remains were found. It’s the kind of detail that stays with you.
Why the Verdict Matters for the Community
This wasn't just another crime story for Mississippi. It touched on deep-seated issues of identity, the "closet," and the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in the South.
The prosecution’s theory was that Herrington killed Jay to keep their relationship a secret. It’s a tragic, old motive that we still see playing out today. District Attorney Ben Creekmore noted that while the plea brought a sense of finality, the healing could have started years ago if Herrington had just come clean when it happened.
For the students at Ole Miss, Jay Lee was a symbol of bravery. He was someone who lived out loud. The fact that his life was cut short by someone hiding in the shadows is a contrast that hasn't been lost on anyone in Oxford.
What Happens Next?
Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. is now in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Because he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder (which used to be called "depraved heart murder" in Mississippi), he is looking at a very long time behind bars before he’s even eligible for a breath of fresh air.
For those following the case or interested in the legal outcomes, here are the takeaways:
- Digital Evidence is King: The "strangulation" search was likely the nail in the coffin for the defense's ability to claim an accident or lack of intent.
- The "No Body" Hurdle: This case proves how difficult it is to secure a conviction without physical remains, but also how a discovery can immediately break a legal stalemate.
- Advocacy for Tech Access: Jay's father is now working with lawmakers on a bipartisan bill. The goal? To require tech companies to release passwords for missing people under 21 when both family and law enforcement agree. This could drastically speed up future missing persons cases.
The saga of Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. ended in a 40-year sentence, but the conversation about the safety of vulnerable communities in rural areas is just getting started.
If you're following this, the best way to honor the memory of the victim is to support organizations like the UM Pride Network or local Mississippi advocacy groups that work to protect students and provide safe spaces for those who feel they have to hide who they are.