Mississippi
Mississippi man charged with killing mother, allegedly flushing her remains down toilet
A Mississippi man is charged with killing his mother after authorities allegedly found him trying to flush pieces of her flesh down a toilet in what a local sheriff called one of “the most heinous crimes that I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life.”
Zachary Lavel Jackson Jr., 29, faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, mayhem and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his mother, Lana Brown Bradley, 62, a retired teacher.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office said deputies initially responded April 4 to Bradley’s home in Natchez, after her relatives reported her missing.
Jackson was initially identified as a family member of Bradley before investigators confirmed he was her son.
“This is by far the most heinous crime that I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life. We weren’t out there that day; this was one of those things when we walked up. This was one of those cases that you will never, ever forget in your life. This is the type of case that follows you home,” Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten told WJTV.
Deputies were called to Bradley’s home after her oldest son could not reach her the previous day. Two of Bradley’s other sons lived with her.
“As soon as they walked in the house, they could just see where somebody had been cleaning up, and they could smell chemicals all throughout the house. Floor was extremely slippery. And the older son said that this is just unusual for the youngest son to be cleaning up the house like that,” Patten explained.
Jackson, the youngest son, was found in a bathroom where deputies allegedly saw a black substance in the toilet.
“I can say what was in the toilet, and it was her flesh. He chopped her up in pieces and dismembered her in a way that whoever came looking for her would have to do their due diligence to find her, and that’s just what we did,” the sheriff said.
Authorities stated that Jackson had allegedly placed his mother’s body parts in a suitcase and flushed the rest down the toilet after dismembering her.
Bradley had threatened to evict her son from the home, according to the sheriff, who cited interviews with family members stating that Jackson was mentally unstable.
However, Patten noted that Jackson was “very calculating” when he allegedly committed the crime.
“He had threatened her the day before because she was looking to have him evicted from the home. She was in the process of doing so and had just gone to court the day before to have him removed from the home,” Patten explained.
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Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 28 drawing
01-03-09-22-31
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 6-2-9, FB: 8
Evening: 1-1-2, FB: 1
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 5-0-9-8, FB: 8
Evening: 1-8-8-1, FB: 1
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 08
Evening: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Medical marijuana is having a moment in clinical trials
Cannabis has medical promise, but doctors still can’t prescribe it. A Harvard psychiatrist explains why science and policy lag behind.
Federal drug policy is undergoing a major shift. It could affect Mississippi medical marijuana.
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order changing the classification for medical marijuana at the federal level. It affected products that states license for medical use and Food and Drug Administration-approved marijuana products.
On April 23, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order shifting them from the highest level of regulation, Schedule I, to the less restrictive Schedule III.
“This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information,” Blanche said in a statement.
Did Trump legalize marijuana?
No. Weed has not been legalized across the country.
The newest changes only downgrade the penalties if someone has medical marijuana in a way that violates federal law.
Trump also signed an executive order in December easing some federal penalties for recreational use. It did not legalize the drug nationally or override state marijuana laws.
The DOJ will have an expedited hearing on June 29 regarding more broadly reclassifying marijuana. The reclassification push started under former President Joe Biden, and Trump signed an executive action in December.
Weed is still classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, but it would move to Schedule III if the proposed reclassification is finalized.
Do people want marijuana legalized?
About half of all U.S. states have decided to fully legalize weed for adult, non-medical use.
A 2025 Gallup poll survey showed that 64% of Americans wanted weed to be legal.
After Trump signed his December executive order to reclassify marijuana, more than 20 Republican senators, including Mississippi’s Cindy Hyde-Smith, sent Trump a letter saying the drug is “harmful to its users.” They urged him to change his mind.
What does the federal medical marijuana change mean in Mississippi?
Generally, the new shift will make it easier for the medical marijuana industry to operate. Business operators can file business deductions on their federal taxes.
It should also make it easier to do related research.
Is medical marijuana legal in Mississippi?
Yes. Medical marijuana is legal to buy and use through the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program.
To buy medical marijuana, you must have a medical cannabis card issued by Mississippi. State‑registered doctors can prescribe weed for more than 20 qualifying conditions, including cancer, glaucoma and Parkinson’s disease. Check the list maintained by the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program to see if you qualify.
There are fees for patients and caregivers, as well as additional costs for doctor visits. Health insurance does not cover medical marijuana.
It’s sold at approved dispensaries.
Cardholders may buy no more than 24 Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units (MMCEUs) in a 30‑day period and can possess up to 28 MMCEUs at one time.
Can you buy medical marijuana in Mississippi if you live out of state?
Yes. Non-residents can get medical marijuana here with limits.
People who don’t live in Mississippi can apply for temporary medical marijuana cards up to twice a year. Each temporary card is valid for 15 days and requires proof of medical marijuana eligibility in the person’s home state.
Non‑residents may buy up to 6 MMCEUs per week or 12 per 15‑day period.
Is recreational marijuana legal in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi does not allow recreational marijuana.
But the state has eased penalties for small amounts. Possession can still lead to fines, jail time or felony charges. It all depends on the situation.
Contributing: Zac Anderson
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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