An arrest has been made in connection with the mysterious death of an Alabama woman in Monroe County.
Sheriff Kevin Crook confirmed that Gregory James Hester, 56, is charged with felony tampering with evidence after the body of Sherry Pope, 45, was found in a ditch in front of an unoccupied family home on Hatley Detroit Road near the Mississippi-Alabama state line.
Police were notified about Pope’s death on Sunday, July 7, by her brother. The unidentified relative of Pope went to the residence that Sunday after not hearing from his sister since she had gone there one day prior to clean up the yard.
Hester, the victim’s boyfriend, is believed to be the last person to have been with Pope while she was alive. He was apprehended by law enforcement out of Mississippi on Tuesday, July 9. Hester is currently on probation in Alabama and had an active warrant at the time of his arrest.
Though a final autopsy report, including toxicology, is pending, initial findings show no signs of injury. Authorities have not released any information regarding the extent of Hester’s alleged involvement in the victim’s passing.
Anyone with any information about Pope’s death is encouraged to contact Golden Triangle Crimestoppers at (1-800)530-7151 or the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation division at (662)369-2468.
