Authorities Nab Murder Suspect
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Marcus Sayles was arrested Monday by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
SOUTHAVEN – A Water Valley man wanted for the March 4 murder of Justina Pritchard was apprehended Monday morning in Southaven after being on the run for three weeks.
Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported Marcus Sayles, age 40, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force around 10:30 a.m. after agents spotted him walking outside. Water Valley officers picked Sayles up in Desoto County and booked him in the Yalobusha County Detention Center around 1:45 p.m.
Mangrum reported Sayles has been charged with first degree murder.
“We had enough evidence to issue an arrest warrant the day after the crime was committed,” the chief explained.
The chief reached out to the U.S. Marshals for assistance locating Sayles early in the investigation.
“They had been searching hard for him for two weeks, we feel like he was moving from house to house during this time,” the chief added. “We do not believe that he was in the city much, if any, while he was on the run.”
The chief also expressed gratitude to the community for providing assistance during the search.
“We were getting leads every day, people were calling us,” the chief said. “Even though we felt like he was not in the area, we pursued every one of these tips. We were also able to pass along information to the marshals. There was a lot of public cooperation, people wanted him behind bars.”
Pritchard was inside an abandoned house on Stephens Street in Water Valley when she was fatally shot. Officers responded to the area after receiving a 911 call reporting shots had been fired. The caller also requested an ambulance. Water Valley officers and Yalobusha County deputies were on the scene within minutes and checked the abandoned house. They found Pritchard deceased inside.
The chief said the motive is likely related to narcotics or a domestic situation, or both. He also said the investigation remains active as authorities continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses and others who may have information.
“We also have evidence at the crime lab and are awaiting a report from the autopsy,” he added.
Mangrum reported his officers and agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) interviewed Sayles Monday afternoon after he was booked. MBI agents have provided assistance during the investigation, starting the night of the murder when the crime scene was processed.
Sayles had previously served approximately 20 years in prison following a conviction on a drug charge and was released over a year ago. The Water Valley Police Department arrested Sayles on shoplifting charges during the last year. He was also a suspect in a simple assault case last May.
Mangrum thanked assisting agencies helping with the investigation and during the search for Sayles including the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Department of Corrections, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Oxford Police Department, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department and Batesville Police Department.
“The marshals also worked with additional departments, we appreciate all of the support to help take Sayles into custody,” the chief added.
Funeral services for Pritchard were also on Monday, the day Sayles was captured.
“Our hearts go out to Justina’s friends and family members. A lot of officers have invested a lot of hours in this case,” Mangrum added.
Mangrum has served as police chief for four and a half years and shared that this was the third murder in the city during that time.
