BATESVILLE, Miss. – With no arrest in the death of Jessica Chambers, a month after she was found burning alive on a rural Panola County road, a movement has now started on social media asking Mississippi’s Governor to get involved.
“Please help ensure justice is served for Jessica,” wrote Kathy Flynn who created a petition on change.org. The online website allows persons or groups to send a message to decision makers, in this case Governor Phil Byrant, asking them to do something. Change.org’s stated mission is to “empower people everywhere to create the change they want to see.”
Flynn did not respond to New Mississippi’s request for comment, but in her change.org post she said the investigation into Jessica’s murder appeared to have been botched from the beginning. “Instead of the crime scene being blocked off and secured, (Jessica’s burned) car was on a tow truck and taken to a gas station Jessica was last seen at on December 6 around 6:25 p.m. The owner/worker at the gas station was allowed to photograph the car,” she explained.
Describing Jessica as a loving young woman whose life mattered, Flynn expressed doubts that local investigators were doing enough to find her killer. “There seems to be a lot of corruption in this town, this murder is not a priority.” Flynn wrote that Jessica’s horrific murder had caused both fear and concern in the small community. In her plea to Governor Bryant for help she wrote: “Jessica was loved by many; her family wants answers and Justice.”
News Mississippi attempted to contact several members of the Chambers family, but had not gotten a reply by Tuesday afternoon. However in a Monday afternoon Facebook post, Jessica’s sister Amanda Prince wrote: “I personally am getting so impatient… I’m angry, I’m mad, I’m hurt. I want answers. We are coming up on a month since my sister was killed and these monsters are still free walking around living, laughing and loving life. Where is the Justice?”
Jessica’s sister’s sentiment is apparently shared by thousands all over the world. The Justice for Jessica Chambers’ petition was started January 6 with a goal of 100,000 signatures. In less than 24 hours, it had already been signed by nearly 6,000 supporters.
“This story broke my heart more than any other story. It’s the worst I have come across and also who knows if them people will do it again to another innocent human being,” wrote Louise Hakanssan of the United Kingdom on a section of the petition that allows supporters to explained why they signed.
“I am signing this because there should be some news somewhere. And things don’t add up. This family deserves justice! Nobody deserves to die like that and the killer have no justice,” wrote Janet Peden.
News Mississippi got in touch with the Governor’s office. But he was unavailable for comment. A spokesperson said the petition would be reviewed and he would reveal the Governor’s response to us.
This story will be updated should we get it.
To sign the petition visit: https://www.change.org/
