Mississippi

Convicted murderer who escaped Mississippi prison on Christmas Eve has been captured | CNN

Published

1 year ago

December 25, 2024

Convicted murderer who escaped Mississippi prison on Christmas Eve has been captured | CNN

CNN
—

A convicted murderer who escaped from a Mississippi state prison on Christmas Eve was captured Wednesday, according to a Mississippi Department of Corrections post on Facebook.

Drew Johnson was captured in an area near the prison, the post said.

Sentenced to life in prison on Valentine’s Day in 2022, Johnson managed to escape from Mississippi’s newest state prison in Greene County nearly three years later on Christmas Eve, according to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Authorities in Mississippi had described Johnson as “desperate” and “very very dangerous.”

“Call your family and alert them. Send messages to them and get responses,” the George County Sheriff’s Department warned about the prison escape in a Facebook post. “People tend to be more generous during Christmas and let their guard down. Be vigilant and be careful.”

The 33-year-old has a violent criminal history spanning multiple states. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to a series of unrelated violent crimes, according to a news release from Tennessee’s Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. In 2016, Johnson fatally stabbed an acquaintance more than two dozen times, later abandoning the victim’s body in a field in southwest Memphis.

His violent behavior persisted behind bars. While incarcerated in Tennessee in 2021, Johnson attacked another prisoner, repeatedly striking him in the head with a brick, according to the district attorney’s office. Johnson also pleaded guilty to setting multiple fires while in jail in 2019.

Johnson received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for murder, along with 15-year sentences for each of his other crimes, all of which are to be served concurrently, according to Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

He also has a pending murder case in Rankin County, Mississippi.

The convicted murderer broke out of South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville on Tuesday around 3:30 p.m., according to an alert from the Greene County Emergency Management office, shared by police in neighboring George County.

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Mississippi

Mississippi College Baseball Building off Last Year’s Record Setting Season

Published

8 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi College Baseball Building off Last Year’s Record Setting Season

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Mississippi

Forrest General Hospital raises flag for Mississippi Organ Recovery Association

Published

20 hours ago

April 10, 2026

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Forrest General Hospital raises flag for Mississippi Organ Recovery Association

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – April 10 is Blue and Green Day, a day to honor the lives of those who have donated tissue, eyes and organs.

Medical professionals and the grieving family of Carter Bourque, an organ donor, gathered at Forrest General Hospital for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Association flag raising.

Kandise Courtney, Bourque’s mother, spoke today, saying her son Carter will always be remembered for donating life.

“I stand here not only to honor my son, but to remind others of the incredible power of giving life. I pray for families that are grieving like we are,” she said.

Courtney says that Carter’s story inspired others to become donors at a young age.

Forrest General Hospital’s development coordinator, Joel Stevens, became an organ donor at the age of 15.

He says that his decision was easy because he wanted to help save lives.

“I knew at 15 that I wanted to help people. If we have one donor, one organ donor can save up to eight lives through a life-saving transplant,” Stevens said. “Then if that person is also a tissue and eye donor, then they can save and help up to 75 lives through transplant.”

Members of MORA say there are many misconceptions surrounding organ donation.

“One of the biggest things I’ve heard is ‘Oh, if I’m an organ donor, they’re not going to save me,” said MORA family care specialist Anna McLaurin.

MORA says that hospitals are needed to save lives, and the donor’s health and well-being are a top priority throughout the process.

“With the opportunity to donate, if they do not save you, then we are unable to even offer the opportunity of donation, let alone save lives afterwards,” Organ recovery coordinator Camron Clark said.

Anybody who is looking to become a donor can register through the Department of Motor Vehicles when getting or renewing their license.

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Mississippi

Mississippi State football lands Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi State football lands Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football landed its first four-star in the 2027 recruiting class.

Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins committed to the Bulldogs on April 9.

“I am grateful to the entire coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career in Starkville,” Collins wrote on X. “I’m ready to work, compete, and represent the Bulldog family with pride.”

He picked MSU after decommitting from Ole Miss on Nov. 30. Collins holds numerous offers from power conference teams including Alabama, Georgia Tech, LSU and Michigan.

Collins is ranked No. 404 nationally, No. 12 in Mississippi and as the No. 12 safety, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Collins recorded 62 tackles in 2025 with five interceptions, two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. He also had four receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown, plus 11 carries for 111 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Ridgeland (11-2) lost to Warren Central in the MSHAA Class 6A semifinals.