Paul Blackburn, a 42-year-old White/Caucasian man and truck driver, was shot and killed in Golden, Mississippi, on December 29, 2018. The murder led to a hostage situation when the suspect, Nathan Shepard, took Blackburn’s 10-year-old daughter captive inside the home and a 32-hour standoff with law enforcement followed.

During the standoff the girl secretly contacted authorities by cellphone and provided information about conditions inside the house. A SWAT team eventually breached the residence; Shepard was killed during the operation and the child was rescued safely. Investigators identified Shepard as the person who killed Blackburn, and no arrests followed because the sole suspect died during the police action.

Anyone who knew Paul Blackburn or has information about the events leading up to December 29, 2018, is asked to come forward.