Shivangi Sinha
In July 2022, Jimmie “Jay” Lee was reported missing after he failed to return home. When his family requested a welfare check, authorities were unable to locate him, and there were no immediate signs pointing to his whereabouts. As the investigation progressed, law enforcement began analyzing electronic records and tracking the movements of Jay’s vehicle on the morning he disappeared. This led them to focus on Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., who was identified as the last person known to have seen Jay. NBC’s ‘Dateline: Bringing Jay Home’ outlines the key developments in the case and details the evidence that ultimately resulted in Herrington’s arrest.
Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. Was the Last Person to See Jimmie Lee
Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. was raised in a well-known family in Grenada, Mississippi. His grandfather, James Herrington, founded Abundant Life Assembly, an Apostolic Christian church, where his father, Sheldon Herrington, served as an assistant pastor. His mother, Tina, was employed by the school district’s central office as an administrator. Growing up, Herrington was widely regarded as quiet, disciplined, and respectful of rules. Those who knew him described him as close to both friends and family. His stepbrother, Tevin Coleman, has said that Herrington was focused on his education and appeared committed to building a stable future for himself.
Herrington later enrolled in the business program at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. After completing his studies, he moved into the DLP Oxford Apartments, where he was living independently and trying to determine his next steps. By July 2022, the 24-year-old was hosting a podcast titled ‘Dirt 2 Diamonds.’ In the early morning hours of July 8, 2022, Herrington met fellow University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee at his apartment. Lee was never seen again after that encounter. When Lee failed to return home, his parents reported him missing, prompting a formal investigation.
Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr.’s Snapchat Data Gave an Insight Into the Crime
One of Jimmie Lee’s friends later told investigators that Lee had planned to meet someone for a hookup that morning. As part of the inquiry, police reviewed CCTV footage from the area where Lee’s car was later recovered after being impounded. The footage showed an unidentified Black man running away from the vehicle at around 8 am. Investigators were also able to subpoena Snapchat records, which showed that Lee had arranged to meet Sheldon Herrington that morning. Location data placed Lee’s last known whereabouts at Herrington’s apartment, after which Lee’s account was blocked on the app. When police brought Herrington in for questioning, he denied any involvement and claimed he did not know what had happened to Lee.
However, additional evidence emerged during the investigation. Surveillance footage captured Herrington purchasing duct tape from a Walmart at around 6 am on the same day Lee disappeared. Authorities also uncovered a Google search made from his device asking, “How long to strangle someone?” Based on the digital trail, surveillance evidence, and location data, prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury. They alleged that Herrington had killed Jimmie Lee to hide his sexual preferences and the romantic relationship between the two. In August 2022, Herrington was formally indicted on charges of capital murder.
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Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. is Serving His Sentence in Mississippi Today
Herrington was released after posting a $250,000 bond, and his trial did not begin until December 2024. During proceedings, the defense argued that Jimmie Lee’s remains had not been recovered and that there was no direct physical evidence tying Herrington to his disappearance. The case ultimately ended in a mistrial. However, developments followed soon after. In February 2025, Lee’s remains were discovered, though the cause of death could not be determined due to advanced decomposition. Herrington was reindicted on capital murder charges and faced a retrial. In December 2025, he entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He received a combined 40-year prison sentence, 30 years for murder and 10 years for evidence tampering, to be served consecutively. He is currently incarcerated at the MCDOC, with a tentative release date set for 2064.
