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Background: The Brandon, Miss., neighborhood where Jennifer Sheffield and Brandon Sheffield were found dead (Google Maps). Inset: Jennifer Sheffield (Otis & Lee Funeral Homes).
A Mississippi couple found dead of an apparent murder-suicide in their home a few days after Christmas were reportedly in the process of getting divorced.
Jennifer Sheffield, 30, and Brandon Sheffield, 40, were found on the morning of Dec. 28 while Jennifer’s family was conducing a welfare check. Once they were inside, Brandon police officers said the family told them there were “obvious signs of foul play.” The case is now being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Brandon Police Chief Joseph French told local outlet Darkhorse Press said that when officers responded to the scene at 7:19 a.m., the deceased bodies of the couple were found inside. French stated that it appeared that Brandon Sheffield shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.
In a statement provided to WJTV, a local CBS affiliate, French said the investigation was ongoing and included assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which helped process the scene with the Crime Scene Unit.
Faye Lott, who was friends with Jennifer, shared with WLBT, a local NBC affiliate, that the couple had recently separated and were beginning the process of getting divorced. A reason for their separation was not provided, but Lott told WLBT that she was shocked by Brandon’s alleged actions.
“He’s never been a violent person that I was ever aware of,” she said. “I was with her when they met, and I’ve always loved him for how he loved her. So it’s definitely hard trying to understand something we will never be able to.” She added that he was an “amazing person.”
An obituary for Jennifer mentioned that the couple shared two children. Information on their whereabouts during the time of the apparent murder-suicide of their parents was not made available.