JACKSON, MS – A Jackson couple is now in custody following the disturbing discovery of a body buried under concrete in their backyard, which has raised alarm amid investigations into the disappearance of an elderly woman reported missing months earlier.
The inquiry began when relatives expressed concern over the whereabouts of 81-year-old Carol Ryan, who was believed to be residing at a nursing facility in nearby Brandon. Family members had reportedly lost contact with her for an extended period, prompting them to reach out to authorities last Saturday.
Detectives immediately pivoted their focus to Ryan’s last known address, now home to her son, 50-year-old John Ryan, and his wife, 48-year-old Samantha Ryan. Investigations revealed that all three had previously lived together at the property.
Upon securing a search warrant, police deployed cadaver dogs to the residence. The trained animals soon signaled the presence of potential human remains. This prompted the deployment of excavation equipment which unearthed a body wrapped in a tarp and buried beneath a significant layer of concrete, buried six to eight feet underground.
While the identity of the remains has yet to be confirmed, officials transported the body to the medical examiner’s office for identification and to ascertain the cause and manner of death. Authorities noted that the body appears to have been buried well before Carol Ryan was reported missing, though they have yet to determine a precise timeline.
As forensic teams work to verify the remains, the investigation into the missing person case continues unabated. Law enforcement is diligently pursuing leads and evidence to establish the identity of the deceased.
In the meantime, both John and Samantha Ryan face charges of desecration of a human corpse. Currently, John Ryan is held at Hinds County Jail on a $100,000 bond, while Samantha remains detained with a bond set at $75,000.
The grim nature of this case has left the community anxious as investigators hint at the potential for additional charges based on emerging evidence during the ongoing investigation. As the community grapples with the unsettling developments, officials are committed to uncovering the full scope of this macabre discovery.