Jimmie 'Jay' Lee Murder: Sheldon 'Timothy' Herrington Jr. Sentenced to 40 Years

The 20-year-old University of Mississippi student's remains were found nearly 3 years after his disappearance.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:31am

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Jimmie 'Jay' Lee, a 20-year-old University of Mississippi student, went missing in July 2022. After a lengthy investigation, his remains were discovered in February 2025. Authorities determined that Jay had been in a secret romantic relationship with another student, Sheldon 'Timothy' Herrington Jr., who was arrested and charged with Jay's murder. Timothy initially pleaded not guilty, but later pled guilty to second-degree murder and evidence tampering. In December 2025, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder conviction, with an additional 10 years for the tampering charge.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the dangers of secret relationships and the devastating impact of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Jay's disappearance and eventual discovery of his remains left his family and community devastated. The case also raises questions about campus safety and the need for more support and resources for LGBTQ+ students.

The details

Surveillance footage showed Jay leaving his apartment around 4am on July 8, 2022, the day he went missing. He returned 30 minutes later, only to leave again around 6am. Investigators found that Jay had been exchanging sexually explicit messages with Timothy, and his final text was sent to Timothy from near his apartment. They believe Timothy killed Jay to keep their relationship secret, then wrapped the body in blankets and dumped it in a wooded area.

  • Jimmie 'Jay' Lee went missing on July 8, 2022.
  • Jay's remains were discovered on February 1, 2025 by a group of deer hunters.
  • Timothy Herrington Jr. was arrested about 2 weeks after Jay's disappearance.
  • Timothy was released on $250,000 bond in May 2023 but was officially indicted for capital murder in March 2023.
  • Timothy's capital murder trial ended in a mistrial in December 2024, but he pled guilty to second-degree murder and evidence tampering on December 1, 2025.

The players

Jimmie 'Jay' Lee

A 20-year-old University of Mississippi student who went missing in July 2022. His remains were discovered nearly 3 years later.

Sheldon 'Timothy' Herrington Jr.

A University of Mississippi graduate who was in a secret romantic relationship with Jay. He was arrested and charged with Jay's murder.

Jimmie Lee Sr.

Jay's father, who addressed Timothy directly at the sentencing hearing, expressing the immense pain his family has endured.

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What they’re saying

“I knew from the beginning that you did this, and I believe your family knew. I had to witness my son's skeletal remains. I touched his skull; no father should have to go through that. No family should have to go through that.”

— Jimmie Lee Sr., Jay's Father (Dateline NBC)

“Only in my memories will I hear his voice. This is a sad day for our family because we realize our son is not going to be here. Jay trusted you, but his biggest mistake was trusting your humanity. All the things that my wife and I have gone through, his siblings, it's been heart-wrenching. No parent wants to face the death of their child.”

— Jimmie Lee Sr., Jay's Father (Dateline NBC)

What’s next

Timothy Herrington Jr. is currently serving his 40-year sentence at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, with a tentative release date scheduled for September 2064.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and the importance of fostering safe and inclusive environments, especially on college campuses. It also underscores the need for greater support and resources for LGBTQ+ students and the broader community.