Mary Deloise ’Dee’ Eady, 73, was found dead at her Forest, Mississippi, home on December 30, 2023. A family member discovered the body after noticing a security camera at the residence had been tampered with. Authorities said Eady had been shot and her body partially burned, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office reported she had been sexually assaulted. Her home had been ransacked, though her keys, credit cards, and money were left behind.

Investigators identified a nearby resident, 36-year-old Sammy Patrick, as a suspect. There was no known direct personal relationship between Eady and Patrick; he was believed to have done odd jobs for Eady’s late husband. A six-day manhunt followed, during which Patrick was reportedly involved in a separate robbery at a Subway in Woodville. Law enforcement located and arrested Patrick at a gas station in Byram about 55 miles from Forest.

Patrick was taken into custody and charged with capital murder in connection with Dee Eady’s death. Does anyone who knew Dee or her routines have information that could help clarify what happened?