Investigation continues in death of Rasheem Carter

Carter disappeared in October after informing his mother that he was experiencing difficulties in securing transportation to return home from work. His body was discovered one month later, with limited information regarding the circumstances surrounding his demise.

In November of 2022, the partial remains of 25-year-old Rasheem Carter were found in Taylorsville, Mississippi. Carter had gone missing in October.

Absent instance of Rasheem Carter

According to Carter Tiffany, the mother of Rasheem Carter, she reported that he was trying to get a ride back from work at the Motel 8 in Laurel, Pacific Georgia, where he worked as a contract worker for the Taylorsville plant. She heard from him last on October 2nd, while he was still in his hometown of Fayette.

He had the option to use an Uber to ask about the nearby police station and even took a ride with Carter and others. However, he did not allow himself to do so as he usually did, showing reports from home.

As reported by the Jackson Advocate, Carter was nowhere to be found upon their arrival. The following day, his mother sought the assistance of a companion to collect him on Sunday at approximately 2:00 p.M. Failing to secure transportation, she was unable to locate a ride.

The remains of Carter’s deer were found at a park off Highway 37, about a mile south of Taylorsville, nearly a month later. Officials were led to the area after a hunter’s camera in the woods captured an image that resembled Carter’s son, as said by her mother.

Found alongside the deceased were his wallet and identification, along with his denim pants and various personal belongings. It took examiners several weeks to confirm the identity of the body as Carter’s and subsequently, the body was transferred to the Mississippi State Crime Lab.

During that period, the Sheriff indicated that there were no signs of any wrongdoing.

According to his aunt, Marnee Tompkins, Carter informed his mother that three vehicles containing Caucasian individuals were pursuing him. Carter, who is of African descent, had suspicions that an authoritative figure at his job might have been a potential danger to him before he vanished.

Efforts were undertaken by both the Taylorsville Police Department and Carter’s family, including a search party, to locate him between the time he disappeared and his remains were discovered. As part of the search, they reviewed security footage at the nearby Family Dollar store where they knew he had been spotted.

Attorney Ben Crump, the spokesman for the family, has been identified and the body of his was found since. Attorney Ben Crump has publicly speculated that there were additional human remains near where Rasheem was found. He also called authorities to question into what happened to Rasheem and determine any additional human remains.

Reply from Simpson County Prosecutor

The statements, stated Simpson County District Attorney Chris Hennis, were entirely unfounded, in relation to Crump’s accusations. He refuted the assertions that additional remains were discovered “in close proximity” to where Carter was located, issuing a statement.

On May 15, Hennis stated, “The occurrence that lawyer Ben Crump described as discovered ‘close to the area’ and that which he thinks belong to Rasheem Carter, were in reality skeletal remains found approximately 25 miles away in a stream in Simpson County, Mississippi, on April 30, 2023. The skeletal remains were believed to be animal bones and this data was communicated to Rasheem Carter’s family.”

Hennis confirmed that the bones found in Mississippi were not human, according to local law enforcement agencies as well as federal and state authorities. The case has been under investigation for hours, with hundreds of individuals being involved. In November, partial remains were discovered, and it was reported that Carter had been missing.

The District Attorney reiterated that his office is actively investigating the death and disappearance of Carter, despite the fact that misinformation has only slowed down the ongoing process. Hennis stated that he believes comments from Crump have been made to inflame the public, despite the seriousness of the situation.

Hennis stated, “Law enforcement and my office are currently unable to discuss ongoing investigations in detail. Whoever is responsible will be vigorously prosecuted by my office, and there should be developed evidence to criminally charge someone in connection with the death and disappearance of Rasheem Carter. I truly sympathize with Rasheem Carter’s family and mother.”

Alongside the family, Crump, the lawyer, utilized his personal website to provide his thoughts on the statement made by Hennis. He initiated by stating, “It is the moment to slice through the political theatrics, concentrate on the evidence, and pledge to openness.” As per Crump, his objective is to establish confidence among local authorities through a degree of openness with the family.

The inquiry is still ongoing.

The Simpson County Sheriffs department is leading the investigation. Although the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation within DPS is not in charge of the case, Commissioner Sean Tindell from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety stated that the agencies are still collaborating and treating this as an ongoing investigation.

Tindell reiterated that law enforcement officials typically do not comment on an ongoing investigation unless they can find an additional witness or individual to help, but he said there have been many comments made by Crump that he feels the need to address.

Tindell stated, “He is doing the same misinformation routine in this case as he always does. Attorney Crump is well-known for inflaming division among people.”

In this specific instance, there hasn’t been sufficient tangible proof to establish. Determining the cause solely through an autopsy can pose challenges. The Commissioner further mentioned that the discovery of the remains suggests a potentially suspicious death.

Tindell, the law enforcement officials said, are continuing to look for additional evidence and bones, even if it does not alone determine the cause of death but may look suspicious.

Tindell stated, “I believe that in our judicial system, we should pull jurors who are not impacted by the information they have seen in the news and who work best in that capacity. I am a big believer that cases should be fleshed out in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion.”

The ongoing inquiry into the demise of Carter.