A former Mississippi state lawmaker was found shot dead outside a burned-out trailer where her sister-in-law was found dead last year, reports said.
Ex-Rep. Ashley Henley, 40, was found dead from a gunshot wound Sunday night in rural Yalobusha County in her home state, the North Mississippi Herald first reported.
Henley appeared to have been mowing grass before she was killed at the home, where her sister-in-law Kristina Michelle Jones had been found on Dec. 26, according to reports.
Jones had apparently died in a trailer fire, the Commercial Appeal said. But investigators are now reportedly taking a deeper look.
“We are going back to square one (on Jones’ case) after receiving an initial Fire Marshal’s report and lab reports,” Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera told Mississippi Today.
“We are looking at that with fresh eyes.”
Henley was frustrated with her sister-in-law’s case, she posted on social media recently, according to the publication.
Jubera said the family had “gone through a lot” in the last six months.
“We will investigate this as thoroughly as possible — do everything possible to get it right,” he said.
Jones, a Republican and former teacher, served one four-year term in the state House of Representatives, from 2016-20 – and she lost her last election by 14 votes.
She challenged the outcome of the election over perceived irregularities but the Republican-controlled House denied a petition to change the results, the Associated Press reported.
Henley’s former colleague, Republican Rep. Dan Eubanks, said on Facebook on Monday that he was “heartbroken and angry” about the news.
“What an absolute loss to our state, county, me personally, and most importantly her dear family,” Eubanks said.
“Please pray for her husband and son and their extended family….and that God’s justice will be served on those responsible.”
With Post wires