Cash Offered For Tips To Solve Murders

By David Howell
Editor

WATER VALLEY – The Yalobusha Crimestoppers have earmarked $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest or arrests of any unsolved murders in the county.

The decision was made Monday night at a Crimestoppers meeting, according to Sheriff Lance Humphreys.

“We have several unsolved murders in recent years, both in Water Valley and Coffeeville, and in the county,” Humphreys said.

Up to $5,000 will be paid for information leading to the indictment and conviction of anyone connected to the murders.

While the money is earmarked for any unsolved homicide in the county, Humphreys cited several recent murders as the driving force in the decision.

Humphreys cited four unsolved murders dating back to 2004 that were of particular interest to Crimestoppers.     

• In June, 2004, Kristina Dixon was discovered brutally murder in her home near the Water Valley Boat Landing area. The sheriff’s department has actively pursued leads in this case, including a recent trip to Missouri to interview a person of interest.

“An officer with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and myself traveled to Missouri several months ago after receiving a tip that a person incarcerated there may have information about this case,” Hum-phreys explained. “

Even though this case is almost seven years old, it remains a priority for investigators.

• On February 13, 2009, Ernest Moore was gunned down in his car on Kennedy Street in Coffeeville. The Coffeeville Police Depart-ment is the lead agency handling this case.

• Columbus Jimmy Bu-ford was killed December 15, 2009, at his home on Calhoun Street in Water Valley. The Water Valley Police Department is the lead agency handling this case.

• Karey Shantell Mc-Collins is the latest victim of a homicide in Yalobusha County. Like the other three cases, investigators have few leads in this case. McCollins was shot March 2, 2010, at his residence on West Lee Street. The Water Valley Police Department is the lead agency on this case.

Humphreys added that the reward money is offered for any unsolved homicide in the county, these are only examples of recent crimes.

“Anyone who contacts Crimestoppers are never required to reveal their identity or testify in court,” Humphreys added.

To contact the Yalobusha County CrimeStoppers, call  1-866-933-TIPS or 473-4935. Tips can also be sent by email to: TIPS@Yalobusha County.net.

Humphreys also reported Crimestoppers will accept donations from the public to add to this account.

“Several people have expressed interest in raising money to add to the Crimestoppers account,” Humphreys told the Herald.