Grand jury indicts suspect in burning death of Jessica Chambers

Chambers was 19 when she died. He added that he was “very, very confident” that there would be no additional charges or suspects.

Investigators at the time released few details in the case, including how Chambers and her vehicle ended up severely burned in a wooded area.

That could be because authorities had ascertained so little about her death until late a year ago.

“We hoped early on that some people would come forward”, Champion said, “but we got nothing”. That’s odd in a case such as this, according to the prosecutor.

Champion said Tellis emerged as a suspect early in the investigation, and he remained in the picture until enough evidence was collected to develop a case against him.

And since October, he became the lead suspect and everything culminated with an indictment.

“I’ve seen them work on the weekends, I’ve seen them work on their holidays, I’ve seen them work on their vacations”, he said. “The hard work they’ve done never stopped”, he said. “They said some day it would come and it did”, Ben Chambers said. “And I thank them for it. Whatever they decide is appropriate (punishment), I’ll support them”.

“She’s got to have justice”, Daugherty said.

Shortly after the word of the indictment let out, Ben Chamber said that his daughter’s killer should never have been allowed out on the streets.

Tellis is now being held in Louisiana on charges relating to the 2015 stabbing death of 34-year-old Meing-Chen Hsiao, AL.com reports. He is not charged in her murder, but police in Louisiana said he is the top suspect.

“We do not anticipate at this point there being any other charges against any other individuals”. The day investigators found Hsiao’s body, Tellis was getting married.

Following the probe into the debit card, police executed a search warrant at Tellis’ Monroe home and discovered a quarter-pound of marijuana in his bedroom, packaged for sale.

“This has been the most unusual case I have ever dealt with”, Champion said at a news conference. That could take anywhere from four to six weeks.

In addition, Tellis is facing charges in Louisiana.

“We’re in a relay race, and this is hurdle No. 1. We’re nowhere near the end”. Like the Hsiao murder, police noted that Chambers’ murder was very “personal” in nature, as the teen was burned alive on a rural road.

Champion said the decision would be made “down the road” on whether to seek the death penalty, once Tellis is back in MS and the family is consulted.

“We never believed that this was gang related”.

Jessica Chambers was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire on December 6, 2014, said Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby. He was then convicted of residential burglary in December 2011 and again in February 2012. He received five years and eight years, respectively, on those convictions. He was incarcerated in June 2011, according to the records. Her hair was in a bun, and she was wearing camouflage pajama trousers. She put $14 worth of gas in her vehicle, more than the $5 or so she usually purchased, Ali Fadhel, a clerk at the gas station, told The Associated Press in the days after her death.

A store surveillance video appears to show Chambers prepaying for gas. Chambers waves and walks off camera briefly. She spends about a minute at the counter before going back outside and pumping gas. “She’ll be at peace now”.

Despite a source telling WREG suspect Quinton Tellis and Jessica reportedly dated, both of Jessica’s parents said they have never heard of him.

“Our prayers go out to you”, he said. She just seemed normal. After she pumped gas, she re-entered the store, bought cigarettes and drove away. The young woman from Taiwan was missing for over a week before authorities found her body.

Jessica’s family said they are happy that someone has finally been charged, but they know there’s a lot left to do before justice can be served. The prosecutor also said he would not reveal to reporters what Chambers had told firefighters who had arrived at the scene.