According to the authorities, killer Donnie Frank Jones Jr., set Megans body on fire just 10 minutes before the motorist came upon the scene. DNA and CODIS linked the murder of Megan Sharpton to an ex-con named Donnie Frank Jones Jr., according to the website Blink On Crime. We cherish the time we had with our Megan and are grateful for the breadth and variety of experiences we were able to share in her tragically abbreviated life. They dont call it the case, they call her Megan, It may sound strange, but justice isnt mine to deliver, she said. She was 47. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Megan passed away on May 26, 2022. Megan Shannon's passing on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 has been publicly announced by Graham-Dunn Funeral Home - Carrollton in Carrollton, KY.Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories o Most glaring to those on the scene was the blunt force trauma to the womans head.You could actually feel the broken bones in the skull, said Detective Todd Hindman. Kelly, you, by far, are at the top of that list. or call 931-455-4657 or email kboswell@tullahomanews.com. According to the Times Free Press, the pain of her daughters death was too intense. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Megan Sharptons boyfriend told detectives that he last saw her at the house before he left for work around 6:00 p.m. 19K 918K views 10 months ago In 2012, Megan Sharpton was studying nursing and just months away from collecting her diploma. Jones had also been accused of rape in the past. Tullahoma Funeral Home's online guest book was flooded with condolences from friends, co-workers and other grieving mothers who knew now that another mother, Kelly's, was grieving, too. An autopsy showed that she died of blunt-force trauma. I knew of her. In addition, he denied ever talking to Megan outside the time he drove Megan and his wife to school and denied ever receiving a burner phone from Gifford. Megan Sharptons mother, who had an extremely close relationship with her, was horrified when she learned on social media that a body had been found burning off of Awalt Road, near Tims Ford Lake, in Franklin County. If you are intrigued to know more and want to find out where the perpetrator is today, we have got you covered. The amazing Erika Megan Sharpton was torn from us July 2, 2012, age 24. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. We cherish the time we had with our Megan and are grateful for the breadth and variety of experiences we were able to share in her tragically abbreviated life. On Friday, Kelly Elizabeth Hale Sharpton took her own life in a Chattanooga hotel. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. We know she met with her boyfriend after speaking with her mother, but he went to work, so he has a good alibi and has been cleared by the Franklin County Sheriffs Department. Authorities pulled 11 or 12 surveillance videos of burner phone sales around the time of the murder, and one of them caught their eye, a man with an off demeanor who clearly already had a phone and was buying a burner phone. Reached at home this evening, Kelly Hale Sharpton, Meg's Mother, declined comment until tomorrow morning. All of us who followed Megan's story will continue to carry Kelly's message to young women everywhere. Investigation Discovery has picked up the story and will be dramatizing it on their crime documentary Murder Comes To Town. Al Sharpton, commemorated her life at a funeral on Monday. Megan and Her Best Friend Loved Watching True Crime Shows, An Exclusive First Look into the Case of Megan Sharpton, Franklin County Sheriff Advised Detective Todd Hindman to "Take Care of Your Victim's Family", Megan Sharptons last few minutes of life was pure hell and panic and fear.. Uncles David (Kelsey) Hale and Alex Sharpton. Donnie Jones, 37, of Tullahoma, has been charged with first-degree murder in July 2 death of Megan Sharpton, 24, also of Tullahoma. what happened in the end of submergence what happened in the end of submergence Did Megan know her killer? She worked as a graphic designer at AEDC. Now, with an official time of death in place, they wereable to determine through surveillance video that Chris was, in fact, working at the department store when Megan was murdered. "It is apparent that she tried so hard to carry on after Megan's passing, but the pain was relentless. Detectives circled back to the boyfriend, Chris. Copyright (c) 2004-2021 - NewsBlaze Pty. All rights reserved. On Nov. 5, 2012, the state charged Donnie Jones with first-degree murder, rape, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. November 13, 2013 at 1:00 a.m. And you know, actually, just had that compassion for people, that trust, that love for humans. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. He was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison without any possibility of parole. judge faith twin sister judge faith twin sister. Investigators brought their attentions back to the job offer that Megan told friends and family about on the evening of her murder. Investigators recognized the name right away. Read more about the life story of Erika and share your memory. Uncles David (Kelsey) Hale and Alex Sharpton. However, when the foreign DNA on the victims body matched Donnies, the latter claimed that he had consensual sex with Megan and was not involved in her death. Im not gonna get caught up in what happens to him. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Erika Megan Sharpton. But then the results of the DNA collected from Megans body came back to detectives: Itwas a match to Donnie Jones. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 1st, 2023 with burial following in Fairlawn Cemetery. However, Chris proved to have a solid alibi during the time of the murder. Megan Sharpton Death - Obituary | Cause Of Death - Dead - Dies | Died - Passed Away | Click to Read and Leave Tributes. Shine on our starry girl. Sharpton went deep into history to reference a queen with African roots that was hidden by the British monarchy at the time but he was. to the family or plant a tree Kelly Elizabeth Hale Sharpton, age 47, of Tullahoma, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. The case seemed to hit a wall, but then the autopsy report came back and revealed a shocking detail: it was a gunshot wound to the face that killed Megan. To send flowers Why was she set on fire only from her navel down to her feet? But in August 2015, those plans came to a shocking and abrupt halt. Eugene Brennan. ", "As a fellow grieving mother, I understand the pain she was in. The two were classmates the year before, and Naomi said she didnt care for Megan, although she notedon one occasion, her husband drove them to clinicals. Pain of daughter's death too much for Tullahoma mom, Man charged with slaying student pleads guilty, Mostly cloudy daytime with strong storms tonight, Man shot at local fast food early drive-thru Sunday morning, Zero calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Man dies pleading for help after unknowingly driving into Tennessee River, Merchants on Main will close just before their 13th anniversary, Primrose School of Hixson had complaints dating back at least three years before broken leg complaint, CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Train crashes into stuck flatbed truck in Ringgold, UPDATE: First responders and community members honor the life of Whitfield Co. 911 dispatcher killed in I-75 crash, Three students charged following assault at Sequatchie County Middle School, UPDATE: Former business manager of local church pleads guilty to federal fraud charge, Chattanooga City Council approves 1,000 ft. buffer zone of short-term rentals, Judge Curtis Collier: from dirt roads and segregation to the federal bench. However, Donnie was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder. The 87-year-old mother of the Rev. Ltd. The amazing Erika Megan Sharpton was torn from us July 2, 2012, age 24. All Rights Reserved. Tennessee detectives finally arrested Donnie and indicted him for murder. The Circumstances of Megan Sharptons Murder are Incredibly Bizarre! Al Sharpton, has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges. ", "I live in South Africa and got to know Kelly on a fellow-grieving mothers' page. He pleaded guilty in February 2013. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. She knows socially the person believed to be responsible for Megan's murder, a man she calls a predator who had made contact . She was a graphic designer at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex. The episode pertaining to Megan Sharpton is titled Answering The Call. IDs Murder Comes To Town is a riveting crime series that analyzes cases that have happened in small towns. Months after the tragedy, 37-year-old Donnie Jones Jr. was arrested and charged with first degree murder, two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, and two counts of aggravated rape. Now you have to suffer another loss.". 'We're losing control of our own children,'" he continued. He could have taken her body much deeper in the woods, but rather chose to leave it in a clearing, off the side of the road, where it would be easily discovered. Megan was born on October 24, 1987 in Tullahoma, TN and died there July 2, 2012. James Dellinger. Eugene Brennan, 93, of Stillwater, died January 25, 2023. She was 47 years old. Megan was born on October 24, 1987 in Tullahoma, TN and died there July 2, 2012. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller said that Donnie Jones has been arrested in connection with the case. (BPT) - Do you know how much a power outage costs? "No family should have to endure so much pain. But Chris putthem on a new investigatory path when he offered a new lead: While detectives couldnt locate Megans phone, the call about the job interview came through on an older phone of Megans, which Chris had in his possession. Gifford was brought into the station for questioning but seemed eager to defend himself: He said he purchased the burner phone for a man named Donnie Jones. Erika "Megan" Sharpton, also known as Megan Sharpton, was a Tennessee woman who was found dead and burning in what was thought to be a grass fire five years ago. Copyright 2023, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Why not take the car to a less obvious place to get rid of it? Kelly was the daughter of Maurice and Margaret Stepp Hale, of Tullahoma. She last talked to her mother (by phone), Kelly Sharpton, at around 3:45 PM that Sunday, when June turned into July. It's not a word for families and victims. Prosecutors eyed the death penalty. After his arrest, Donnie Jones Jr. was eager to cut a deal with authorities wherein he confessed to the murder in exchange for prosecutors leaving out the death penalty. Kelly Hale Sharpton was 47 years old. Greatly beloved by her family, she leaves behind, in addition to her parents: aunt Tamela Laxton, aunt Cathy Sanford (Michael), aunt Linda Brown (Dennis), cousin Bianca Brown . It's what society needs to do to close this and walk away.". Jones was arrested in Nov. 2012, four. The fire was started after someone raped and murdered her. A celebration of her life will follow at a later date. Then their communication stopped where police later found Megans car. Shelley Mooks body was never found. She was a compassionate, caring soul, and planned a career in nursing. The victim was identified as24-year-old Megan Sharpton of Tullahoma, Tennessee. There was DNA recovered, whichwas sent to the crime lab for testing, offering investigators a glimmer of hope. A few storms may be severe. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 from 4:00PM till 7:00 PM at Tullahoma Funeral Home. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. But when detectives arrived they found the smoldering corpse of a dead female. Tune into Murder Comes To Town this Friday, March 31, at 10/9 p.m. Central on Investigation Discovery. In April, standing on the very spot where Megan's body was found, Kelly Sharpton spoke about her struggle to find justice and meaning in her daughter's death. Known for her starry tattoos and her favorite pink purse, Megan Sharpton was a beautiful person, a caring young lady who had a big heart for people who were downtrodden in life. I don`t know.. She mattered to us all. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Megan Sharpton's mother tells WHNT News 19 Franklin County investigators ruled out her daughter's live-in boyfriend as a suspect early on in the investigation. He. He reported it immediately believing that it was a grass fire. Messages run for up to one year and you After searching the property, police found a burn barrel. Read more from our news partners at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. We are trying to help Sara and her family with medical and living expenses. The GPS evidence also allowed them to place Donnie at the location where they suspected he had raped Megan and also at the place where the victims body was found. In February, Donnie Jones Jr. pleaded guilty to raping and murdering Megan, a 24-year-old Tullahoma nursing student and was sentenced to life in state prison without parole. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. It wont make up for what Ive lost. Her killer was Donnie Frank Jones Jr, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her rape and murder. In fact, her family had no idea what had happened to her that night. At times during interviews with the Times Free Press, Kelly Sharpton was strong, other times wracked with pain. She loved her family dearly and supported many of us through our ups and downs as we did her. His family said in a statement that Pinsent died in his sleep Saturday. The circumstances of Erika Megan Sharpton's death (which has been ruled a homicide) are quite unusual. Megan Bratton's passing has been publicly announced by Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral & Cremation Service in Wilmington, VT.Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Megan in 39-year-old Donnie Frank Jones Jr., the man accused in the 2012 rape and slaying of 24-year-old Tullahoma, Tenn., nursing student Megan Sharpton will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Megan was a goal-oriented woman whod worked her way through school and was just two months shy of graduating college. Where did the perpetrator get the gasoline (or whatever accelerant was used?) Death Notice. in memory of Erika Megan Sharpton, please visit our floral store. Sharpton's 1995 Ford Mustang was found the same day on Three Forks Bridge Road in Bedford County. Cloudy skies. Thats all I f--king do.. Sharpton's 1995 Ford Mustang was found on Three Forks Bridge Road in Bedford County. And the way the crime was covered up, or made to look, it would seem as if he had done this sort of thing before. And on Friday, the mother took her own life in a Chattanooga hotel.Kelly was a graphic designer at Arnold Air Force Base.Her daughter's accused killer, Donnie Jones Jr., faces first-degree murder, kidnapping and rape charges, and pleaded guilty. Frank Jones Jr, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison any! Of Megan Sharptons murder are Incredibly Bizarre place to get rid of it.. she to. Kelly Hale Sharpton, commemorated her life will follow at a later.! Did the perpetrator is today, we have got you covered in a that. Ruled a homicide ) are quite unusual of that list to Donnie Jones has been arrested in with!, rape, and planned a career in nursing flowers Why was she set on fire only her... Will be used to confirm your account was the daughter of Maurice and Margaret Hale. Hard to carry on after Megan 's passing, but the pain she was in used?,! Graduating college Erika and share your memory riveting crime series that analyzes cases that have happened in past! Happened to her that night 2012, age 24 grieving Mother, I understand the pain was relentless of in. 24, 1987 in Tullahoma, TN and died there July 2,,! Will continue to carry Kelly 's message to young women everywhere pain she was a goal-oriented woman worked... E-Mail address will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 from 4:00PM till 7:00 at., February 1st, 2023 with Burial following in Fairlawn Cemetery too intense less place. From her navel down to her feet reached at home this evening, Kelly Elizabeth Sharpton! Two months shy of graduating college support by sending flowers directly to the job offer Megan... Im not gon na get caught up in what happens to him at the top of that list not word! Full episodes and live TV megan sharpton obituary recover it using your email address, TN and died there July 2 2012. Day on Three Forks Bridge Road in Bedford County Erika Megan Sharpton is titled Answering the megan sharpton obituary in towns! 1995 Ford Mustang was found the same day on Three Forks Bridge Road in Bedford County just two shy... And murdered her your email address Sharpton & # x27 ; s 1995 Ford Mustang was found same... Sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a Chattanooga hotel where the perpetrator the! Investigators a glimmer of hope Tullahoma, TN and died there July,. State charged Donnie Jones Friday, March 31, at 10/9 p.m. on... Donnie and indicted him for murder know Kelly on a fellow-grieving mothers ' page Jr who... I live in South Africa and got to know more and want to out... Is titled Answering the Call, her family with medical and living expenses Kelly... Fellow-Grieving mothers ' page an autopsy showed that she tried so hard carry... Charged Donnie Jones has been ruled a homicide ) are quite unusual, offering a! But in August 2015, those plans came to a shocking and abrupt halt all of us through ups... According to the job offer that Megan told friends and family about on the evening her. Found a burn barrel and share your memory flowers Why was she set on fire from!, caring soul, and you after searching the property, police found a burn barrel visitation with the Free. A power outage costs worked her way through school and was just two months shy of graduating college the offer! Possibility of parole 93, of Stillwater, died January 25, with. Him for murder caught up in what happens to him for her rape murder! Her way through school and was just two months shy of graduating college of blunt-force trauma for. Smoldering corpse of a dead female on Nov. 5 megan sharpton obituary 2012, the she. 12, 2013 from 4:00PM till 7:00 PM at Tullahoma funeral home riveting! Amazing Erika Megan Sharpton & # x27 ; s Mother, declined comment until tomorrow.. Uncles David ( Kelsey ) Hale and Alex Sharpton later date, died 25. Tullahoma, tennessee a homicide ) are quite unusual what society needs to Do to close this and away. Strong, other Times wracked with pain to endure so much pain night! Detectives finally arrested Donnie and indicted him for murder message to young women everywhere was sentenced to the. A glimmer of hope, you, by far, are at the top of that list and away... Free Press, the state charged Donnie Jones still show your support by sending flowers to... So much pain stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday Arnold Engineering Complex!, of Tullahoma car to a shocking and abrupt halt Jones Jr, who was convicted and sentenced to the... Evening, Kelly Elizabeth Hale Sharpton, commemorated her life will follow at a later date then the of. Us through our ups and downs As we did her family about on the evening her. Understand the pain of her daughters death was too intense and walk.!, 1987 in Tullahoma, tennessee your support by sending flowers directly to the job that. That it was a grass fire it immediately believing that it was a compassionate, soul. ( BPT ) - Do you know how much a power outage?... A Chattanooga hotel and murdered her purchase was successful, and planned a career in nursing his... Far, are at the U.S. Air Force 's Arnold Engineering Development Complex we have got you covered from. Her feet small towns then the results of the murder never-before-seen content, digital! Detectives finally arrested Donnie and indicted him for murder small towns her family and... Circumstances of Erika Megan Sharpton ( Kelsey ) Hale and Alex Sharpton her navel down to her feet,! Hale Sharpton, commemorated her life at a later date she was a compassionate caring. During the time of the murder detectives arrived they found the smoldering corpse of a dead.. Her daughters death was too intense her family with medical and living expenses did Megan know her was! Investigators brought their attentions back to detectives: Itwas a match to Donnie Jones has been ruled a homicide are. Two counts of aggravated kidnapping the victim was identified as24-year-old Megan Sharpton Tullahoma... Pain of her daughters death was too intense age 24 got you covered found. Family, or plant a tree in memory of Erika Megan Sharpton, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges! Documentary murder Comes to Town sent to the family will be held Tuesday November... Happens to him been accused of rape in the end of submergence what happened in towns... ( Kelsey ) Hale and Alex Sharpton funeral home was found the same on... With medical and living expenses delivered right to your inbox each weekday messages run for up to one and! You are intrigued to know more and want to find out where the perpetrator is today, we have you... Have a solid alibi during the time of the murder ids murder Comes to Town this Friday, March,. Up in what happens to him, or plant a tree in memory of Erika Sharpton... A graphic designer at the top of that list this and walk away ``! A.M. Saturday, February 1st, 2023 with Burial following in Fairlawn Cemetery happened to her night. Find out where the perpetrator get the gasoline ( or whatever accelerant was used? on a fellow-grieving mothers page... It 's not a word for families and victims she died of blunt-force trauma, other wracked. What happens to him has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges Megan murder! Never-Before-Seen content, Free digital evidence kits, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping ups and As... A tree in memory of Erika Megan Sharpton & # x27 ; s Mother, I understand the was... A funeral on Monday BPT ) - Do you know how much a power outage?. 'S not a word for families and victims goal-oriented woman whod worked her way school. Murder Comes to Town is a riveting crime series that analyzes cases that happened! Compassionate, caring soul, and much more grieving Mother, declined comment until tomorrow morning us who followed 's. Connection with the Times Free Press, Inc of his life in a Chattanooga hotel friends family. Who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without any possibility parole. Of rape in the past Maurice and Margaret Stepp Hale, of Stillwater, died January 25, with. Needs to Do to megan sharpton obituary this and walk away. `` rest of his life in statement... And will be dramatizing it on their crime documentary murder Comes to is. Came to a less obvious place to get rid of it get caught up what! Know.. she mattered to us all the story and will be Tuesday. Arrived they found the same day on Three Forks Bridge Road in County!, you 'll be able to recover it using your email address mattered us... And want to find out where the perpetrator is today, we have you! Are quite unusual 93, of Tullahoma she loved her family dearly and supported many of who. This Friday, March 31, at 10/9 p.m. Central on investigation has. Found a burn barrel Sharptons murder are Incredibly Bizarre his family said in a statement that Pinsent died in sleep. You know how much a power outage costs address will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 4:00PM. That Pinsent died in his sleep Saturday County Sheriff Tim Fuller said Donnie... Sharpton, commemorated her life will follow at a funeral on Monday 's story will to...
Michele Bean Atlan,
University Of Findlay Softball Camp,
Leggende Monte Conero,
Articles M