Former Mississippi lawmaker fatally shot outside trailer where her sister-in-law was found dead after Christmas
A former Mississippi state representative was gunned down over the weekend outside the burned trailer where her sister-in-law’s scorched remains were discovered during the early hours of the morning just after Christmas.
Ashley Henley was a Republican who served in the state House from January 2016 to January 2020 from a district in DeSoto County, according to the North Mississippi Herald. She spent the final hours of her life tidying up the overgrown property where her sister-in-law, Kristina Michelle Jones, once lived.
The ex-lawmaker and her husband, Brandon Henley have spent the last several months turning the site into a memorial for Jones, who was found dead inside the trailer’s bedroom on Dec. 26, 2020. Authorities believe the residence was set ablaze around 1:30 a.m.
Police have not ruled out homicide as the cause of death, but the Henleys have long been critical of officers’ handling of the investigation. They believe Jones was killed and they have since expressed their beliefs in a sign posted outside the trailer.
“I WAS MURDERED,” it reads.
The Yalobusha County coroner said Henley was fatally shot while she cut the grass outside the mobile home in the Water Valley Boat Landing community. Authorities confirmed to the Washington Post that her death is being investigated as a homicide.
“I have my own theory, and the police do too,” Brandon Henley told WREG, noting that investigators have already interviewed a suspect.
“I’d like for them to do their job because this is the second person someone down there has taken from me. My son doesn’t have a mother.”
Henley served as a teacher until her victory in the 2015 election to represent DeSoto County in the state House. She sought out a second term, but lost to a Democrat by 14 votes in the 2019 election.
Republican state Rep. Dan Eubanks of DeSoto County wrote in a Facebook post Monday that he was heartbroken and angry about Henley’s death.
“What an absolute loss to our state, county, me personally, and most importantly her dear family,” Eubanks wrote. “Please pray for her husband and son and their extended family….and that God’s justice will be served on those responsible.”
