Nila Marie Stennis, 23, was killed on November 27, 2022, after a dispute with her boyfriend. The couple was seen on surveillance at a Gulfport bar and later at Island View Casino, where a heated argument was observed. While driving on Interstate 10, Stennis stopped the vehicle and was shot multiple times; her body was left on the interstate and was later struck by an 18-wheeler. Her boyfriend, Deondrick Mychahl Jones, fled the scene in Stennis’s vehicle and traveled toward Jackson.

A knife was recovered about 10 to 20 feet from Stennis’s body. Jones later claimed self-defense, saying Stennis had come at him with a knife; prosecutors presented evidence they said showed he shot her in the head and back and argued the knife may have been planted. A jury found Deondrick Mychahl Jones guilty of first-degree murder and taking a motor vehicle; he was sentenced to life in prison with an additional five-year term to be served concurrently. Nila’s mother described the family’s profound grief over her daughter’s tragic death.

If anyone knew Nila or saw her with Jones that night, please share information that could help clarify what happened.