A heartbreaking update has emerged in the tragic case of a mother and her 3-year-old daughter who were found dead in an Alabama river earlier this year. Authorities have confirmed that the deaths of Shardee McGill, 32, and her daughter Janae, were the result of a murder-suicide.
The two were reported missing by Shardee’s husband, Jonathan McGill, on September 22. Their bodies were discovered days apart—Shardee’s on September 25 and Janae’s the following day.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, both Shardee and Janae drowned. However, while Shardee’s death was ruled a suicide, Janae’s death was classified as a homicide, with Shardee identified as the suspect.
Sgt. Reginal King of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency stated, “Over the course of the investigation, the determination has been made that there are no additional suspects involved,” confirming that Shardee was responsible for her daughter’s death.
At the time of their disappearance, the mother and daughter left their Jackson, Mississippi home in a Chevrolet Equinox and were never seen again. Their disappearance prompted a nationwide search, and both were listed in the National Crime Information database as missing persons.
Shardee’s body was found in shallow water off the Tombigbee River on September 25. The next day, authorities located Janae’s body nearby. Local officials confirmed the recovery, stating, “The body was later identified as Janae.”
While Jonathan McGill was briefly detained for questioning in Alabama, he was released without charge. Police clarified that there was no evidence of a kidnapping, noting that Shardee and Janae left voluntarily.
What was so bad that a ,other had to kill herself and her child.