The Gulfport Police Department has announced that 66-year-old Jerri Lynn Isreal/Roby has been charged with one count of First Degree Murder. Around 5:43 p.m. on December 22, 2024, officers responded to a home in the 2200 block of 16th Avenue in reference to a welfare concern regarding a possible missing person.

On December 27, 2024, detectives followed up and noticed discrepancies in statements provided by Isreal. GPD said Isreal became increasingly uncooperative and changed her statements multiple times. Detectives say they learned that Israel had been arrested and convicted of murder in Florida around 1995.

According to GPD, Isreal committed the murder and made multiple attempts to dump the body at different locations throughout Florida. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence. Around 10 a.m. on January 18, 2024, authorities carried out a search at the residence. Isreal was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

During the search, detectives say they found a wooden box hidden behind a false wall. Inside the box, they found the body of John Allen Gaither. Israel was taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center.