A Mississippi judge has declared a missing University of Mississippi student legally dead over two years after his disappearance. Jimmie “Jay” Lee, 20, was last seen on July 8, 2022, driving from an apartment complex in Oxford. His vehicle was later recovered, but neither Lee nor his body were found.
Lee’s parents filed a petition for declaration of death in the Lafayette County Circuit Court, and Judge Grady Tollison granted the request in October. The court ruled that “proof is evident” and “presumption great” that Lee is dead, citing unexplained absence despite extensive search efforts by family, friends, and law enforcement.
Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., who was arrested two weeks after Lee vanished on a capital murder charge, has maintained his innocence. His trial is set for December 2.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/missing-university-of-mississippi-student-jay-lee-declared-legally-dead