Killer of student Jimmie “Jay” Lee sentenced to 40 years in prison

Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., 25, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the killing of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, whose disappearance in 2022 drew national concern and prompted a years‑long investigation. Herrington entered a guilty plea to second‑degree murder and tampering with evidence as jury selection began for what would have been his second trial. 

Jay Lee, a 20‑year‑old well‑loved member of Oxford, Mississippi’s LGBTQ+ community, was last seen on 8 July 2022. His disappearance sparked a major search effort, and despite early suspicion centred on Herrington, the case proved difficult for prosecutors. Herrington’s initial trial in December 2024 ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a verdict, due largely to the absence of a body and lack of conclusive forensic evidence. 

A breakthrough came in February 2025, when deer hunters in rural Carroll County discovered skeletal remains later confirmed by the Mississippi Crime Lab to be Lee’s. The condition of the remains meant that investigators were unable to determine a definitive cause of death. 

Prosecutors argued that Herrington killed Lee in an attempt to hide a romantic relationship between them - an allegation Herrington’s defence contested. Investigators uncovered sexually explicit messages between the two and documented a chilling internet search on Herrington’s device: “how long it takes to strangle someone”. Surveillance footage and phone records also linked Herrington to Lee in the hours before he vanished.

Lee’s car was later found abandoned, and his last text message was sent to a social media account belonging to Herrington from near his apartment. 

Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Luther handed down the 40‑year sentence on 2 December 2025, noting that Mississippi had “got it right this time”- a pointed reflection on fears that justice might not be served because Lee was a young, Black, openly gay man. Herrington will also face 10 years of post‑release supervision following his sentence. 

Before sentencing, Jay Lee’s father delivered an emotional statement, describing himself as a “broken father” and recounting the trauma of identifying his son’s skeletal remains. Despite the enormity of his loss, he urged Herrington to reflect, repent and seek redemption.

In the wake of their son’s murder, Lee’s parents have turned their grief into advocacy, working with law enforcement to support legislation designed to improve access to digital information in missing persons cases involving young people. The proposed Jay Lee Information Bill aims to prevent delays caused by technology companies withholding crucial account data.