Two arrested in murder of missing Hinds County man
Two Harrison County residents were charged with murder Tuesday after authorities recovered the body of a man missing from Hinds County.
Angel May Pierce, 19, of Biloxi, and Jerry Cornelious Parkman, 24, of Pass Christian, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cody Smith, 24, of Byram, Mississippi. Smith was reported missing on Dec. 16, 2022, and had last been seen in Harrison County.
After an extensive search by Harrison County investigators, Harrison Fire Rescue, Gulf Coast Search and Rescue and Long Beach CSI, remains believed to be Smith’s were recovered in a wooded area off Elmer Ladner Road in Pass Christian on Monday.
According to Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson, Harrison County investigators were contacted by the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office on March 28, and notified that Smith, who had been missing since December, was last seen in Harrison County.
Arrest warrants were issued for Pierce and Parkman after investigators determined they involved in the case.
Parkman was already being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center on an unrelated charge when his warrant was served. Pierce and Parkman are being held on no bond pending an initial appearance before Judge Brandon Ladner.
Harrison County investigators say more arrests may be made in this case.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about Smith’s murder to contact the department at 228-897-1474.
