By Rupert Howell and John Howell

District Attorney John Champion said Thursday that local investigators are receiving “unheard of” cooperation from citizens, law enforcement agencies and even people being questioned in the brutal death of 19-year-old Jessica Chambers, but no suspects are in custody.

Chambers was found near her burning car on Herron Road December 6 with burns over 98 percent of her body.

Although the reward has officially grown to $16,000, Champion hinted that the number could grow significantly with pledges and additional funds coming from sources he wouldn’t name and some that wished to remain anonymous.

The District Attorney said investigators are not hearing the, “I ain’t telling you nothing,” phrases often heard when people are pulled in for questioning.

Instead, Champion said, “They are telling us what they know. . . (this crime) was so bad everybody is cooperating.”

Groups, individuals and companies have volunteered each day to feed the “army” of investigators who are working long hours every day according to Champion.

“They get there (Panola County Sheriff’s Dept.) early and we leave around 6 to 9 at night,” he stated while noting, “Everybody checks their egos at the door.”

Dozens of investigators are working on the case with the federal prosecutor’s office in Oxford and the City of Batesville most recently contributing officers to assist in areas familiar to their respective departments. Mississippi Crime Lab technicians, coroner’s office, State Fire Marshall the U.S. Marshall’s Service are some of the agencies that have been or who are also involved in the investigation.

Champion said he has received calls from all over the country from media outlets including two calls from London and an email from Japan.

“A Texas Ranger called and said he will come and help us any way he can,” Champion said.
“Lack of talk,” about who committed the crime is what is unusual about this crime according to Champion who said he has worked a lot of difficult and unique cases over the years noting, “It’s very strange from that aspect.”

People whose images were captured with Chambers or whose interactions with the victim were implied in a surveillance video at a Courtland convenience store where she was last known to have been seen alive have gradually been eliminated during the investigation.

On specific instances from media including the internet Champion noted that the store clerk implicated online was cleared and noted that his accusers had “a racist agenda.”

Concerning a witness’ report of a truck leaving the area with “loud pipes,” Champion said, “there are thousands of loud pipes in Panola County.”

The former boyfriend was also cleared according to Champion who stated, “He wasn’t here,” and later said both the boyfriend and his mother had been helpful.