Jackson Mississippi Bodies Found
In late December, a horrifying discovery was made at a pauper’s cemetery located behind a prison in Jackson, Mississippi. Over 215 bodies were found buried in unmarked graves, with many graves identified only by a simple metal rod bearing a number.
The conditions of the burial site were described as inhumane – the area emanated a foul stench that had attracted buzzards.
Even more distressing is the fact that the families of the deceased individuals were never notified about their deaths at the time they occurred. Records indicate that since 2008, approximately 330 people have been laid to rest at this cemetery. A 14-page log lists 672 handwritten names along with details such as birth and death dates, gender, age, race, and information about where the deceased were found before burial.
This appalling discovery has sparked outrage across the local community in Mississippi as well as nationally. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump has taken up the case, vehemently condemning the “inhumane” treatment of the deceased and their families. Crump stated, “There’s something seriously wrong with this backwards country,” and has demanded full investigations and accountability from the authorities.
Among those seeking justice are mothers like Bettersten Wade and Gretchen Hankins, whose sons are among the deceased found in the unmarked graves.
Wade’s determination to find her son Dexter, who was killed by a Jackson police officer, ultimately led to this shocking discovery. Hankins was only notified of her son David’s death a staggering year and seven months after filing a missing persons report.
The tragedy has struck a deep chord with many, including students from Mississippi attending Howard University in Washington D.C. They have expressed a range of emotions from shock and sadness to anger, believing this deserves much more national attention. As one student stated, “These families deserve answers for the wrongful deaths of their loved ones.”
While the process of uncovering the truth is likely to be long and complex, investigations into how this could have happened and identifying any wrongdoing or negligence are underway. A 22-page list containing names and details of the individuals buried at the cemetery has been compiled as part of the evidence.
The situation has raised serious concerns about human dignity, government accountability, and the urgent need to provide answers to the grieving families. As civil rights attorney Crump emphasized, there are serious wrongs that need to be righted in this “backwards” system that allowed such an inhumane tragedy to occur.
The Jackson community and supporters from across the nation are united in their demands for justice, transparency and ensuring nothing like this is ever allowed to happen again. While the process may be difficult, they remain determined to uncover the full truth and obtain accountability and closure for the victims and their loved ones.