HOLLY SPRINGS, MS (WMC-TV) - A Mid-South man beaten beyond recognition Saturday used his dying words to reveal his killer.
Investigators said the beaten man may have laid in a ditch for hours before someone discovered him.
Police dogs and their handlers searched Clear Creek Road in Marshall County, Mississippi for a murder weapon. Criminal investigator Kelly McMillen said the murderer had already been found.
"It looked like there was some type of object used to cut him," said McMillen. "He was cut across the face and head and forehead area."
A passerby discovered a man laying face down in a ditch at 8:20 a.m. Saturday.
"His jaw and teeth and everything were so busted up and damaged so bad," said McMillen. "It was just luck we were able to get that much information from him. There was a lot of blood."
The victim's pocket had been turned inside out and there was no wallet or identification on him.
Investigators said they do not know why the killer went to such extremes.
"Especially when you look at the situation, you don't even have a motive," said McMillen. "If you don't even know the guy, how bad could it have been?"
McMillen said the killer and the victim had just met.
"He did not know him, met him at a night club here in Holly Springs," said McMillen. "From there, we're not exactly sure how everything transpired or took place. We just know that the defendant was possibly giving the victim a ride home from the night club."
The suspect is in custody and expected to be charged soon.
Investigators said they need help to find out who the victim is. They said he is a black man about 40 to 45 years old and about 5'10" to 5'11" from the Marshall-Benton County area. If you know someone that is missing that fits this description, call the Marshall County Sheriff's Department at (662) 252-1311.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:38:10 GMT
Ridgeland Police are looking for an unidentified woman who tried to use a stolen credit card at a local business. The woman tried to buy over $900 in gift cards and other merchandise.The woman was wearingMore >>
Ridgeland Police are looking for an unidentified woman who tried to use a stolen credit card at a local business. The woman tried to buy over $900 in gift cards and other merchandise.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:35:34 GMT
The Alabama Department of Public Safety has issued a Missing Child Media Alert after a 2-month-old baby was allegedly taken by a 14-year-old girl early Monday morning from Birmingham. Police say 2-month-oldMore >>
Birmingham Police have confirmed that missing infant De'Anthony Kelly and his abductor, Dor'Sayde Gathright were located in Dallas, Texas Tuesday night, and were taken into custody without incident. More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:53:05 GMT
Jury selection for the Casey Mark Burgess trial was scheduled to get underway Monday afternoon in Brandon. Thirty-six year-old Burgess is charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault in the attemptedMore >>
Judge John Emfinger has sentenced Casey Mark Burgess to 20 years for aggravated assault and 10 years for attempted kidnapping. A jury found Casey Mark Burgess guilty of those charges Wednesday, in the attempted abduction of a woman in the Castlewoods area in September of 2011.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:14 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:14:24 GMT
There's a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck lodged on the east bank of the Pearl River, just below Interstate 20, in Rankin County. It is not clear how the truck got there, or exactly when.The truck was reportedMore >>
There's a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck lodged on the east bank of the Pearl River, just below Interstate 20, in Rankin County. It is not clear how the truck got there, or exactly when.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:24:37 GMT
The Adams County Sheriff's Office is searching for a fugitive on the run. Deputies say two men stole more than $3,000 worth of merchandise from their employer and one of the culprits is still loose.PublicMore >>
The Adams County Sheriff's Office is searching for a fugitive on the run. Deputies say two men stole more than $3,000 worth of merchandise from their employer and one of the culprits is still loose.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:42 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:42:49 GMT
Pearl police say they seized several pounds of marijuana after a Florida man was found smoking the drug in a restaurant parking lot. Matthew Leonard, 31, of Gainesville, FL has been charged with the intentMore >>
Pearl police say they seized several pounds of marijuana after a Florida man was caught smoking the drug in a restaurant parking lot.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:31:40 GMT
Ridgeland police officers and Madison County sheriff's deputies have surrounded a house on Bryceland Drive in Ridgeland. Lt. John Neil with the Ridgeland Police Department says a resident called policeMore >>
Ridgeland Chief of Police Jimmy Houston said the standoff in Ridgeland is resolved.More >>
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:49 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:49:18 GMT
Some Jackson business owners called 3 On Your Side about an intersection that has had more than it's share of traffic accidents. It's located in an area known as 5-points where Bailey Avenue crosses WoodrowMore >>
Some Jackson business owners called 3 On Your Side about an intersection that has had more than it's share of traffic accidents. It's located in an area known as 5-points where Bailey Avenue crosses Woodrow Wilson near the Jackson Medical Mall.More >>
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
715 South Jefferson Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
(601) 948-3333
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
