Disturbing Things Happened In These 10 Small Towns In Mississippi
Daniella DiRienzo
Author
There’s nothing like the sense of community and feeling of safety that come along with living in a small town; however, even small towns are sometimes subject to horrifying crimes. From infamous murders to crimes of the past that remain on the minds of residents to this day, these small towns in Mississippi have experienced some truly heinous acts.
Later that evening, a passerby noticed a car engulfed in flames and alerted authorities. When police arrived they were faced with a grisly realization – 19 year old Jessica was also engulfed in flames. The barely recognizable teen was flown to a Memphis hospital where she eventually succumbed to her injuries – severe burns that covered 98% of her body. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Jessica was doused in lighter fluid, knocked unconscious, and set ablaze. To this day, the gruesome murder remains unsolved.
Mr. Wagner’s body was found in a shallow grave in the backyard, while Mrs. Wagner was found at the bottom of a nearby gully. It was later determined that an employee of the Wagners, Sam Green Whitaker, committed the murders; however, he didn’t act alone. Whitaker had the help of Emmett Shaw, and his little sister, Adelle Whitaker. Both Whitaker and Shaw were sentenced to death by hanging, a sentence that was fulfilled in July of 1931. Adelle was found guilty of being an accessory-after-the-fact since she arrived on the scene after the murders had taken place, and, therefore, received a sentence of 5 years at the Mississippi State Prison.
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After twenty-two days, her remains were discovered in Black Creek - the teenager had been bound and gagged. Since the initial autopsy was inconclusive, a second was performed at which point it was determined she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Even after all these years, the identity of Shondra’s vicious killer remains a mystery.
Claiming he didn’t want to leave any witnesses, Brewer then made the decision to kill Paige. Continuing his killing spree, Brewer waited for his ex-father-in-law, Carl, to return home, and as soon as Carl walked in the door he was executed. Before leaving the scene, Brewer took Carl’s wallet and Jane’s wedding ring, which he subsequently used to propose to his girlfriend. Brewer was eventually found guilty and sentenced to death. At the age of 34, he was executed by lethal injection at Mississippi State Penitentiary.
Young Charlotte Jo was sexually assaulted, each of the family members were shot several times, Carl’s finger was cut off in an attempt to steal his wedding ring, and the home, with the bodies inside, was set on fire. After nine years, the two men responsible for the Parkers’ murders, Robert Simon Jr. and Anthony Carr, were sentenced to death. Walnut, Mississippi, also happens to be home to one of the best state parks in Mississippi!
There were also claims that the Barretos' would duct tape the children to their beds as well has hold their heads underwater. Eventually, the abuse led to the death of Ena Barreto, who died from injuries sustained after her stepsister threw her into a plywood bed. After this incident, the couple fled the area, and after five years on the run, authorities finally caught up with them in a Portland mall. Scary stuff aside, New Albany is one of the best small towns in Mississippi and is definitely worth a visit.
It’s hard to believe this type of horror can happen anywhere, let alone in our own backyards. Were you surprised by any of these? Know of other chilling crimes in small Mississippi towns? Tell us in the comments section – we love spooky stories.
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Worst Murders in Mississippi
What were some notorious murders in Mississippi in the 1980s?
Unfortunately, there have been multiple infamous murders in Mississippi, including during the 1980s. Perhaps one of the most notorious cases in Mississippi in the 80s is that of serial killer Donald Leroy Evans, who began his reign of terror in 1985 and claimed no less than three victims, at least two of which were young children. Evans received the death penalty for his crimes in 1993, but he would never face justice in that way, as he would be stabbed by another inmate in 1999. His crimes were among the most infamous murders in Mississippi in the 1980s, and the tales are harrowing indeed.
What were some of the worst murders in Mississippi history?
There has been no shortage of violent crime in Mississippi, but in all fairness, there’s no shortage of those anywhere. Mississippi does definitely have some infamous cases that are known around the country even to those who aren’t particularly up to date on true crime; for example, one of the worst murders in Mississippi history was that of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black boy in 1955 that defined the era in terms of racial violence and extreme injustice. He was a child when he was lynched – certainly not a high point in the state’s history.
What is the most infamous crime ever committed in Mississippi?
Perhaps the most infamous crime ever committed in Mississippi is that which has come to be known as the “Mississippi Burning” case, the disappearance and lynchings of three civil rights activists in 1964. The case ended up becoming one of the most infamous crimes in Mississippi history – if not the most infamous – and a movie was even made out of the story. Unfortunately, the story didn’t have a satisfactory ending – only 7 of the 18 charged in connection with these crimes were ever convicted, and not one of them was convicted for murder – but it did enact change: it would inspire the Civil Rights Act of 1964 later.