UPDATE (Feb. 19): The suspect in the murder of Jones County resident Betty Dickerson has been captured, according to Jones County Sheriff Joe Berlin. The suspect was apprehended by US Marshals in Nashville, Tenn., this evening. The victim's car was also recovered. The sheriff said a press conference was planned for Friday morning, when more information will be released. The family was notified first of the suspect's capture.
(Feb. 18, 2020)
Jones County Sheriff’s Office officials have identified the murder victim discovered Monday in her home. Betty Dickerson, 81, was found by her son after noon yesterday. He then alerted law enforcement authorities. She lived on Shady Lane, just north of the Laurel city limits.
A statement from Sheriff Joe Berlin and the JCSO was released earlier today. It read “An active, exhaustive investigation is underway by the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, and we will not rest until the person or persons responsible for Ms. Dickerson’s murder are apprehended. Further information will be released as possible. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Dickerson’s family, and we ask that our entire community join in praying for them as well.”
Sergeant J.D. Carter noted that investigators are currently running down some leads, and he said that a knife was used in the murder. No weapons have been recovered at this time. Authorities are still looking for Dickerson’s vehicle, which was taken from her home. That vehicle is a 2016 Toyota Camry, MS tag JND 6090, silver in color. If you have any information about this vehicle or any other information to share related to this homicide, please call the Jones County Sheriff’s Office at 601.425.7004 or 601.425.3147 or call 911. Do not attempt to approach the vehicle.