Human remains found in Miss. identified as college student who went missing almost 3 years ago

OXFORD, Miss. (TCN) -- Police announced that human remains discovered over the weekend were positively identified as those of a 20-year-old University of Mississippi student who disappeared in 2022.

Jimmie "Jay" Lee was last seen leaving campus just before 6 a.m. on July 8, 2022, wearing a silver robe, gold sleeping cap, and gray slippers. His car was found at an apartment complex the same day and towed to a local lot. The Oxford Police Department said investigators believe Lee was visiting someone at the building when he went missing.

About two weeks later, on July 22, 2022, Oxford Police arrested Sheldon Herrington Jr. on a charge of murder. The Mississippi Clarion Ledger reports Herrington and Lee had a romantic relationship, but Herrington allegedly wanted to keep it a secret. Surveillance video reportedly showed Herrington moving a shovel and wheelbarrow from his parents’ house into a moving truck.

Herrington went to trial in December 2024, but the jury failed to reach a decision, so the judge declared a mistrial. Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen said at the time, "Our commitment, remains unshaken and our job is far from over. We have not stopped looking for Jay Lee since July 8, 2022, and we will not stop until we bring him home to his family."

There was a break in the case Feb. 1 when hunters discovered human remains in Carroll County. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Oxford Police Department about the findings and the remains were brought to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for testing. The Oxford Police Department confirmed Wednesday, Feb. 5, that the remains were identified as Lee’s.

Mississippi Today reports investigators found a necklace that matched something Lee had been wearing in a video just days before he disappeared.

Lee’s sister reportedly wrote on social media, "Speaking for myself, I can say it does bring me some type of happiness knowing he’s not out there alone anymore."

McCutchen said in the news release announcing Lee’s positive identification, "The Oxford Police Department made a commitment to finding Jay, no matter how long it took. This case has remained an active investigation since July 8, 2022. We are grateful to the Lee family and Jay’s friends for their help and support throughout this process. We hope this confirmation brings them even a small measure of comfort."

MORE: