A man from Mississippi faces murder charges after authorities found him attempting to dispose of his mother’s remains. The local sheriff described the act as “one of the most heinous crimes I have ever witnessed.”
Zachary LaBelle Jackson Jr., 29, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, mayhem, and tampering with evidence related to the death of his mother, Lana Brown Bradley, who was 62.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were called to Bradley’s residence in Natchez on April 4, following a report that she was missing.
Initially, Jackson was just seen as a family member, but it was later confirmed he was, in fact, her son.
Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten remarked, “This is the most heinous crime I’ve ever witnessed in my life. We weren’t there that day, but when we walked in, it was something you’ll never forget. This type of case sticks with you.” He spoke to WJTV about the incident.
The day prior to the police visit, agents were sent to Bradley’s home because she had been unreachable by her oldest son. Two other siblings lived with her as well.
When officers entered the house, they noticed signs of cleaning and a strong chemical odor. The eldest son mentioned that it was unusual for Jackson to be so fastidious about cleaning the house.
Jackson was found in the bathroom, where officers reportedly discovered a black substance.
According to the sheriff, “What was in that bathroom was her flesh. He dismembered her in such a way that anyone searching for her would have to be very careful.” Authorities suspect that Jackson placed the body parts in a suitcase and flushed the rest down the toilet.
The sheriff added that Bradley had recently threatened to evict Jackson from her home, noting that she had gone to court just the day before to initiate the process.
Despite family accounts of Jackson’s mental instability, Sheriff Patten described him as “very calculated” during the alleged crime.
