MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Human remains have been found in Carroll County, Mississippi, authorities confirmed.

Several law enforcement agencies are working together to determine if the remains are that of Jimmie “Jay” Lee, the University of Mississippi student who disappeared nearly three years ago.

Carroll County investigators said the remains were found by deer hunters over the weekend.

Oxford Police released a statement regarding the discovery and said that they were unable to provide further updates. However, they were very interested to see if the remains did in fact belong to Lee.

“Our main priority has always been to bring Jay Lee home. We, like the public, are anxiously awaiting updates and ask for patience as the investigative process unfolds,” Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen said.

According to some reports, a gold necklace with Lee’s name on it was found with the human remains, but authorities have not confirmed the remains belong to the missing University of Mississippi student.

On Tuesday morning, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding this information.

“The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is aware of misleading information that has been reported by a member of the press today. At no time, whatsoever, has Sheriff Walker, nor any member of the CCSO confirmed that a picture of a necklace has in any way confirmed the identity of human remains found in Carroll County over the weekend.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office has always been very forthcoming with members of the press in our state by way of Press Releases. This particular investigation is a multi-agency effort and those agencies have agreed that any and all information will be released to the public by cooperation between themselves. It is regretful that a member of the press has chosen to run with a story that has not been confirmed. Identification of bodies is based on much more science than a mere picture that has not been verified by any of the agencies involved. It is a shame to burden family members of potential victims before certain identification has been made.

Therefore, as stated in an initial press release dated 2/2/25, no further information is available at this time because the investigation is ongoing and of a sensitive nature.”

Sheldon Timothy Herrington is accused of killing Lee to hide an alleged romantic relationship. He went to trial in December, and a mistrial was declared.

WREG reached out to Lee’s family but no one wanted to talk at this time.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.