Killer Dads: Fathers who ended their children's lives in situations involving child custody, visitation, and/or child support
MISSISSIPPI
Alcorn County
Father: BILLY LOYD
Victim(s): Andrew Loyd (11 years)
Date of Death: October 2012
Single father killed son in murder-suicide. How or why he had custody is not explained, no mention of mother. Despite father staging a police standoff in April 2012, admittedly mentally unbalanced father continued to maintain custody. Police did not report standoff to DHS, collusion is alleged.
Desoto County
Father: JACK TOMMY RAINES
Victim(s): Tyler Raines (11 years)
Date of Death: February 2014
Custodial dad, step charged with capital murder in death of son. Protective mother claims she was denied contact, that police declared the problem a "civil matter." In January 2015, father and step pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder.
Hancock County
Father: OWEN LEWIS
Victim(s): Maleah Bush (23 months)
Date of Death: August 2013
Father had obtained custody about one month before daughter's death from massive head trauma. Indicted on capital murder charges in June 2015.
Harrison County
Father: WILLIAM ANDREW TAYLOR
Victim(s): Sherri Taylor (15 years)
Date of Death: 1978
Daughter "moved in" with father after parents' divorce. Not clear as to whether court ordered. In August 2012--34 years after daughter's death--father finally arrested and charged in daughter's rape and murder. Was convicted of rape and sentenced to ten years in prison. Authorities claimed there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of murder.
Hinds County
Father: ZACCHAEUS BROWN
Victim(s): Jaheem Brown (4 months)
Date of Death: February 2011
Father charged with capital murder. Mother only 15 years of age, parents did not live together. Child fatally injured while at father’s home during weekend visitation. Not clear as to whether visitation voluntary or court-ordered. As of October 2014, unable to find update for this case.
Father: NATYYO GRAY
Victim(s) Aubrey Brown (1 year)
Date of Death: November 2011
As of October 2012, Father charged with capital murder. Mother had full custody, but father apparently had visitation. Was allegedly behind on child support. In February 2013, found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Waveland County
Father: OREN LEWIS
Victim(s): Maleah Bush (23 months)
Date of Death: August 25, 2013
Father had been awarded custody less than one month before daughter's death from massive head trauma. Father charged with capital murder.