Lashawn Williams Parrish

Lashawn Williams Parrish, a 50-year-old woman known for her fun and joyful personality, was a mother and a graduate of Carver High School in Birmingham, Alabama. She was self-employed and a cherished member of her family and community. Her life was tragically taken just after the Christmas holiday in 2020, leaving behind loved ones who continue to seek justice.

On the morning of Monday, December 28, 2020, a relative became worried after being unable to reach Lashawn for several days. Around 11:22 a.m., the family member went to her apartment at 1024 12th Street North in the North Birmingham neighborhood to check on her welfare. Inside a front room of the residence, they made a heartbreaking discovery: Lashawn was unresponsive. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene, but nothing could be done. Lashawn Williams Parrish was pronounced deceased.

Officers from the Birmingham Police Department’s North Precinct responded to the call and immediately began a homicide investigation. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Lashawn had died as a result of gun violence. From the initial stages of the investigation, detectives stated that the evidence suggested a domestic motive was behind the killing. As police processed the scene for clues, they determined that the person or persons responsible had fled before authorities arrived. No suspects were immediately taken into custody.

The investigation continued into the new year. On Thursday, January 7, 2021, the Birmingham Police Department announced a significant development, asking for the public's assistance in locating a person of interest wanted for questioning in connection with Lashawn's murder. They identified the man as Jeremy Lafayette Dumas. Police provided a description of Dumas as being 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 195 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities released his photograph and cautioned the public that he could be armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

While the search for answers and accountability continued, Lashawn’s family prepared to say their final goodbyes. Her funeral services were held in early January 2021, a somber gathering for those who knew and loved her. The community was left to mourn the violent loss of a woman remembered for the light she brought to others' lives, her death marking another tragedy in a city that experienced numerous homicides that year.

As of the last public updates on the case, the investigation into the murder of Lashawn Williams Parrish remains open. It is not publicly known whether Jeremy Lafayette Dumas was ever located by law enforcement or if any arrests have been made. The case stands unresolved, a painful uncertainty for a family still grieving an immense loss. Birmingham Police detectives continue to seek information that could lead to a breakthrough. Anyone with knowledge pertaining to the case or the whereabouts of Jeremy Lafayette Dumas is urged to contact the Birmingham Police Department's Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.