MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For Kimberly Sistrunk, Sunday, February 4, 2024, was the worst day of her life. That was the day her daughter, Kelly Sistrunk’s body was found in Marshall County, Mississippi.

Kimberly is breaking her silence and speaking publicly for the first time about the day Kelly disappeared.

“I’m sorry that this happened to her and I honestly wished it was me instead of her because I really want her to be here for her baby,” Kimberly said.

She says on January 28, Kelly left her Westwood home to make a quick trip to the store to grab some food. However, after she didn’t return for several hours Kimberly got worried.

That worry grew when she saw Kelly’s vehicle still parked in the driveway.

“Because she would never leave her baby overnight, she would go out like young people do, but she would never leave the baby overnight,” Kimberly said.

She called the Memphis Police Department, but she says she was told she had to wait before filing a missing person’s report.

On February 2, Kimberly filed that report, and officers started searching for her. She said she called and called Kelly but never got an answer.

“Her phone was dead, it was like it was off,” she said.

She says Kelly left behind one key piece of evidence that helped them locate her.

“I had her tablet and I checked her location and it said her location was pinging in Holly Springs,” Kimberly said.

She called the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and met them on the scene, but they didn’t find Kelly.

However, the next day, deputies returned to the area and found Kelly’s cellphone, earbuds, and Kelly’s body.

“They asked me if she had any tattoos and I told them yes, she had her name tattooed on her back and he said Ms. Sistrunk it’s a positive it’s Kelly,” she said.

Marshall County deputies say Kelly had been shot multiple times and her body had been left in a wooded area along Interstate 22 outside of Holly Springs.

“It is one of the most horrendous scenes I’ve seen in my many years of investigation,” the deputy said.

Deputies say they have a person of interest in Kelly’s case, but not enough evidence to charge anyone yet.

If you have any information about Kelly Sistrunk’s death, you are urged to call Marshall County Mississippi CrimeStoppers at 855-473-4658.

Your tip could help put a dangerous criminal in jail and some cash in your pocket, remember all calls are confidential.