MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Four people have been charged with the murder of 18-year-old Fredarrious Wilson, the West Memphis, Arkansas teen whose body was found in a Mississippi forest after he was reported missing earlier this month.
Alicia Jackson, 22, Brandon Jackson, 23, Bralin Jackson, 22, and Devin Smith, 27, are charged with first-degree murder in the case. All are from Coffeeville, Mississippi.
They are currently in custody, with bonds set at $1 million each. County records show Alicia Jackson, whose first name is Layvonnia, is married to Bralin Jackson.
Reports say Wilson was shot multiple times, and the crime was not random. “It appears that the victim knew at least one of the suspects,” District Attorney Jay Hale said.
While investigators are unwilling to say how Wilson and the suspects may be connected, Wilson’s mother confirmed to WREG he worked with Alicia Jackson at FedEx.
According to a police report, Wilson’s mother said she last saw her son in West Memphis on March 5 before he went to the movies with a classmate. She said she tried to call Wilson when she woke up at 11 p.m.
Investigators were able to ping Wilson’s phone and determined it was in the Holly Springs National Forest in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. His body was found in the forest on March 8.
The case has been a collaborative effort from multiple law enforcement agencies from the Yalobusha County Sheriff to the West Memphis Police, which officials believe likely made the difference in this outcome.
“Our guys have been working day and night,” Yalobusha County Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch said. “A lot of times they would have get two, three hours of sleep, if that. They would go home three or five o’clock in the morning and get right back up.”
Wilson’s mother praised law enforcement officers’ efforts and said Thursday she’s pleased with this outcome.
The West Memphis Police Department released the following statement expressing their condolences to Wilson’s family and asking the community to support his family during this time.
The West Memphis Police Department would first and foremost like to extend our condolences to the family of Fredarrius Wilson. No parent should have to bury their children, especially under these unfortunate circumstances. Secondly, at the onset of the investigation, detectives of the West Memphis Police Department assisted the Yalobusha County deputies with their investigation by tracking down leads and witnesses in Arkansas. In any case that spans multiple jurisdictions, it is incumbent that federal, state, and local agencies work together to bring justice to the family and the perpetrators of crimes before the courts. That is precisely what took place in this case. We will continue to offer any assistance to the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Office and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to help ensure that justice is done and that the four suspects involved have their day in court. We ask that the community of West Memphis comes together and wraps its arms around the family of Fredarrious Wilson in their time of need.
