One man is in custody for the suspected murder of Joyce Gomez one day after the Pass Christian woman’s body was found in DeLisle.
37-year-old Brett Huntley Keel was arrested by Pass Christian Police for murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with Gomez’s death, though authorities say the investigation will continue.
“This is still an ongoing and active investigation,” Pass Christian Police Chief Daren Freeman said in a release. “If the public has any information about this incident, please contact Captain Ryan Henry at (228)363-6038 or the MS Coast Crime Stoppers at (877)787-5898.”
Joyce, a 38-year-old mother of two, was last seen on Friday in nearby Bay St. Louis. Upon the discovery of her body and further analysis, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner announced that foul play was suspected surrounding her disappearance and death.
It’s not the first run-in with law enforcement for Keel on charges of violent crime. At 22 years old, Keel was arrested on felony aggravated domestic violence for striking his mother in the head and face area with an iron while she was sleeping, according to records. More recently, in a pending case, Keel was arrested and charged with misdemeanor simple assault and domestic violence for allegedly attacking a man in 2024.
Harrison County Justice Court Judge Diane Ladner set Keel’s bond at $1,500,000.
