SheWhoMustNotBeNamed
Former Member
Missing Since: September 16, 1996 from Memphis, Tennessee
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: April 20, 1992
Age: 4 years old
Height and Weight: 3'4, 40 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Jones has a strawberry birthmark on the nape of her neck. Her middle name may be spelled "La Shay" or "Lashay."
Details of Disappearance
Jones was last seen at her family's residence in Memphis, Tennessee on September 16, 1996. Her aunt, Joyce Wade Lindsey, arrived at her home the previous day for a visit. Lindsey was having personal problems at the time and her sister, Vicky Lee Morris (also Jones's mother) allowed Lindsey to stay with her family. Lindsey and Jones met for the first time during this visit and seemed to get along well. Lindsey received permission from Vicky to watch Jones during the day on September 16. Vicky called Jones's babysitter and told her that Jones would not be arriving that day as scheduled. Vicky also agreed to allow Lindsey to take Jones and her older half-sister, Erica Nicole Manning, shopping after Manning returned home from school.
Vicky called Lindsey at approximately 9:15 a.m. on September 16 and was told everything was fine. Vicky told investigators later that she thought she heard Jones playing in the background during the conversation. This is the last time anyone has heard from Jones.
Manning arrived home at approximately 3:15 p.m. She noticed that Lindsey was drinking alcohol and was intoxicated. Manning inquired as to Jones's whereabouts; Lindsey told Manning that her sister had been picked up by someone, she assumed the child's regular babysitter earlier in the day. Lindsey escorted Manning out of the home and began driving while intoxicated. She told Manning to call her parents' home and tell them that they were shopping and staying overnight at a motel. Lindsey continued driving and refused to allow Manning to phone her parents later in the evening after they checked into a motel. The following day, September 17, Manning and Lindsey visited a laundromat and washed bags of clothes placed in Lindsey's trunk. Manning later told authorities that her aunt left her at the laundromat while Lindsey took her vehicle to a local car wash. Manning noted that the car was still dirty when Lindsey returned, but a strong odor of bleach was present in the trunk. Lindsey claimed that the car wash was crowded and she spilled a bottle of bleach inside the vehicle.
Lindsey drove Manning back to her family's home in Memphis later that afternoon, then sped away. Vicky and her husband, Carl Morris, had already filed missing children reports on both Manning and Jones with the police department by that time. Vicky and Carl learned that Jones was not with Manning at that point and knew Lindsey had lied regarding the babysitter retrieving Jones from their house the day before. Carl chased Lindsey in his own car and brought her back to their home while Vicky called the authorities. Investigators stated that Lindsey attempted to leave the premises while being questioned about Jones's whereabouts. They discovered a loaded pistol in her purse and also noticed the bleach odor in her vehicle.
Lindsey was arrested for kidnapping Manning and her vehicle was thoroughly examined. Blood stains were present in the trunk of the car. DNA analysis proved that the blood belonged to Jones. Second-degree murder charges were filed against Lindsey in the case of Jones's presumed death. Lindsey was also charged with theft and forgery when authorities located Vicky's checkbook, checks and a ring in the car. Lindsey was convicted on all counts in 1999.
Lindsey has maintained that she never murdered Jones. She stated that Jones cut her hand on a piece of broken glass inside Lindsey's vehicle on September 16, the day she was last seen. Lindsey claimed that Jones was waving her arms around while she attempted to administer first aid to the child, thereby causing the blood stains to appear in her car. Authorities did not believe her story.
Vicky testified at Lindsey's trial and her comments may have proven a possible motive for Lindsey's crimes. Vicky stated that she accepted custody of Lindsey's daughter in 1989, but was unable to afford to keep her for an extended period of time. Vicky released the child back into the custody of the state. The child's father was then awarded custody of the girl. Lindsey, who was not able to care for her daughter herself, was reportedly furious with Vicky's decision. She allegedly told Vicky that she 'ruined' her life. Vicky also maintained that Lindsey believed Jones resembled her daughter.
Jones has never been located. Lindsey's appeal was denied in 1999 and she continues to serve her prison sentence.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
901-576-5600