Tremya Chermaine Darden, 24, was shot in the head in the early morning hours of January 8, 2024, at the Lazy Acres Trailer Park on Lesa Avenue in Verona. She was taken to a hospital in Tupelo and later died from her injuries. Present at the scene was her 25-year-old boyfriend, Dandre Edward Lydale McGinister of Tupelo, who told investigators the shooting was an accident, saying he had dropped his gun and it discharged. Authorities arrested McGinister and charged him with first-degree murder; his bond was set at $1 million. He was already out on a felony bond for a separate vehicle-related charge in Lowndes County at the time.

The case went before a Lee County grand jury, which declined to indict McGinister on the murder charge, finding insufficient evidence that Darden’s death was intentional, and he was released from custody. Darden’s family says they are profoundly disappointed and intend to continue seeking justice. The Verona police chief has said the investigation remains open.

If anyone has information about what happened at the trailer park that night, please share it with investigators.