District attorney John Champion said Tuesday investigators are trying to determine where and who Jessica Chambers was with during an hour’s time prior to her brutal attack. The DA released a timeline of her whereabouts on that fretful day, Saturday, December 6.

Champion said Chambers was home most of the day and left her Courtland home around 5 p.m. At 5:30 she was at “Gurley’s” or the Courtland convenience store on Highway 51 where video was taken with security cameras.

A few minutes before 6 p.m. she was at a residence in Courtland and left there.
 At approximately 6:10 she was around Batesville in the Woodland-Highway 6 east area in southeast Batesville between Eureka Road and Highway 6.

At 6:30 she was back in Courtland, but investigators are not sure where according to Champion who said, “We can put her on the scene where she was found at 7:31.”

It’s the hour between 6:30 and 7:30 that investigators want to know about although they are still seeking any information concerning the case.

The fire call reporting Chambers’ car on fire came in at 8:10 p.m. according to Champion.

Calls to the tip line have been non-existent lately according to Champion who said once the “crazies and psychics” quit calling it has been, “very, very quiet.”

Champion also said all investigating agencies are still working on the case including Panola Sheriff’s investigators, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and FBI.

“The U.S. Marshal’s Task Force was involved very early,” Champion said and the ATF and FBI joined the first week. He explained that the Marshall’s Service has a local presence and the ATF joined due to the nature (fire) of the crime. The FBI has resources to assist investigators not quickly available to local agencies.

A reward has climbed to $54,000, making some law enforcement officials scratch their heads over why someone isn’t talking.

Chambers was found next to her burning car near Courtland the night of the crime with burns covering 98 percent of her body. She was flown to the  trauma center in Memphis where she died later that night.

News of the horrendous crime got the attention of the national news media, drawing attention nationwide.
Family and friends have vowed to keep Chambers’ memory alive by holding candlelight vigils and prayer services while investigators work daily looking for or chasing leads.

Champion said, “By releasing the timeline we hope we might jar someone’s memory, especially the hour gap between 6:30 and 7:30 the night of the crime.”

Anyone with information should call (601) 948-5000 or the Panola County Sheriff’s Department.