On October 28, 2023, officers conducting a welfare check at a residence on South Stone Street in Nacogdoches, Texas, found two women dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were identified as 73-year-old Laura Sanford and her daughter, 48-year-old Laquice Sanford.

After an investigation by the Nacogdoches Police Department’s Patrol, Criminal Investigation, and Technical Services Divisions, evidence was presented to a Nacogdoches County Grand Jury. On April 3, 2024, the Grand Jury returned an indictment charging 41-year-old Ronnie Jernigan Jr., described in the report as the boyfriend of the late Laquice Sanford, with capital murder; Jernigan was arrested and is in the Nacogdoches County Law Enforcement Center.

The double killing has deeply affected the Nacogdoches community. If anyone has information about Laura or Laquice Sanford, or their last known contacts and movements, please share what is known.