A Mississippi teenager has been arrested and charged as an adult with first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to the beating death of his 73-year-old grandmother at a church.
Jadynn Hamilton, 17, is being held on a $500,000 bond in connection with the death of Ollie Hamilton. Paramedics pronounced Ms. Hamilton dead at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday after responding to a 911 call from Smith Chapel Holiness Church in Athens, according to Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley.
Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook told local affiliates that initial clues at the scene pointed deputies toward the young man who had reportedly sought help for the older woman. That person was Jadynn Hamilton, who later confessed to the crime after being brought in for questioning.
“This is a tragedy of the worst kind,” Sheriff Crook stated, noting the victim was a beloved family and community member, and the alleged perpetrator was “another beloved family member.”
A motive for the alleged attack has not been released. Sheriff Crook noted the teenager had no prior criminal history, suggesting the violence may have been an uncontrollable impulse directed at whoever was present. Jadynn Hamilton is being tried as an adult in the case.
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