After prosecutors allege that Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., a 25-year-old from Mississippi, murdered his secret gay lover to conceal their relationship, he has now learned his fate. The case highlights a tragic story of love, secrecy, and violence that shocked the local community and brought national attention to issues of LGBTQ+ safety and justice.
Jimmie “Jay” Lee, a vibrant and openly gay 20-year-old student at the University of Mississippi, was celebrated for his creative expression through fashion and makeup. He was a prominent figure within Oxford’s LGBTQ+ community, living his life authentically and unapologetically. However, his life was tragically cut short in July 2022 when he vanished without explanation. Authorities initially believed his disappearance might have been a random tragedy, but it soon became clear that Lee’s death was a calculated act aimed at silencing a secret.
Prosecutors revealed that Herrington, a fellow Ole Miss student from a prominent family, had been secretly involved with Lee. Concerned that their relationship might become public, Herrington allegedly sought to eliminate Lee to keep his own reputation intact. Evidence surfaced indicating Herrington’s premeditation: he reportedly searched online “how long does it take to strangle someone” before luring Lee to his apartment on July 8, 2022, promising sex. Investigators also found him on security footage purchasing duct tape and a shovel—items linked to the crime.
Following Lee’s disappearance, his car was found abandoned, but his body was nowhere to be seen. Herrington was arrested two weeks later on charges of capital murder, and a judge initially declared Lee legally dead, assuming he was killed. However, a mistrial was declared when one juror refused to convict without a body, allowing Herrington to walk free.
Nearly three years later, in February 2025, hunters in Carroll County discovered Lee’s skeletal remains in a wooded gully—an area known for illegal dumping. Due to advanced decomposition, the cause of death could not be definitively determined, as reported by Carroll County Coroner Mark Stiles. Facing mounting evidence and a retrial, Herrington finally surrendered and pleaded guilty in December 2025 to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Luther sentenced Herrington to 30 years for murder and an additional 10 years for evidence tampering. In delivering the sentence, Judge Luther condemned Herrington’s assumptions that Lee’s lifestyle would make his death less significant, asserting that “Mississippi got it right this time.” Special prosecutor Gwen Agho described Lee’s murder as a tragic cover-up, emphasizing that “everyone found out anyway,” highlighting the devastating consequences of secrecy and prejudice.
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