In a sad twist of events, a family missing after a car accident was found dead in Mississippi early this morning.
The bodies of Atira Hughes-Smith, Laterry Smith, and their 7-year-old son Jaidon Hill were found in an abandoned cabin in Copiah County around 4 a.m. by Timothy Lydell Burns, who was arrested shortly after as a suspect. Each family member suffered gunshot wounds.
The family was officially declared missing two days ago when their car was found overturned and torched on the side of the road, not far from the cabin. Police believe the car was set on fire to destroy evidence.
According to The Clarion Ledger, Warren Strain, director of public affairs for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, couldn’t explain why Burns was arrested, but knows that he is connected to the family’s tragic murder.
“Upon further investigation, they were able to identify where the bodies were located,” Strain said. He would only say that the special ops groups were able to identify Burns as the suspect “through investigative techniques.”
The case has more questions than answers, as further details are revealed. For one, items of Atira’s, a nursing assistant, including a wallet, ID, and clothing were found in a grocery store’s trashcan just a few minutes away from Laterry’s mother’s house.
His mother’s home was searched by the police, and oddly enough, his mom and two sisters moved out Sunday night – the day before the family went missing.
Reporters also talked to Atira’s family, who explained that the couple was only married for a few months. Atira’s cousin, Vinson Jenkins, is puzzled as to why they were murdered.
“To our knowledge, nothing that stands out. We wouldn’t know anyone who would want to do harm to her or her child. That’s why this is so disturbing,” he said.
We pray for the Smith family and hope their loved ones find answers soon.
SOURCE: Clarion Ledger | PHOTO CREDIT: Handout
