Jamison family deaths
Jamison family | |
|---|---|
| Born | (Bobby Jamison) August 4, 1965 (Sherilynn Jamison) November 5, 1968 (Madyson Jamison) August 1, 2003 |
| Disappeared | October 8, 2009 Red Oak, Oklahoma |
| Status | Found deceased |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Missing persons |
The Jamison family from Eufaula, Oklahoma, United States,[1] consisting of father Bobby Dale Jamison,[2] mother Sherilynn Leighann Jamison,[3] and daughter Madyson Stormy Star Jamison,[4] mysteriously disappeared on October 8, 2009.[1] The family was reportedly looking to purchase a forty-acre plot of land near Red Oak, Oklahoma, about thirty miles from Eufaula, at the time of their disappearance.[5] Their suspected remains were found on November 15–16, 2013, and were positively identified by the Oklahoma medical examiner on July 3, 2014. No cause of death was determined, and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unanswered.[6]
Disappearance
The initial investigation into the Jamison family's disappearance indicated that they likely had not vanished on their own accord. Their dog was found in the truck[where?] malnourished after days of going without food or water. Police also discovered their IDs, wallets, mobile phones, a GPS system, and about $32,000 in cash.[5] The Jamisons were known for carrying large amounts of cash with them.[1]
Several theories have emerged about the family's disappearance, such as that they faked their own deaths, were in a witness protection program, were killed, or committed group suicide.[7] Shortly before the disappearance, Bobby Jamison was involved in a bitter lawsuit with his father. Bobby reported that his father, Bobby Dean Jamison, had threatened him and his family, but police do not believe that Bobby's father was involved in the family's disappearance.[7]
Another popular theory was that the Jamisons were involved in drugs and drug dealing. Investigators cited the large amount of cash found in the Jamisons' truck, and the apparent strange behavior exhibited by Bobby and Sherilynn Jamison shortly before they went missing.[8] Bobby and Sherilynn had reportedly told their pastor on separate occasions that they had seen spirits inside of their home.[8] Sherilyn's mother, Connie Kokotan, believes that the family were killed by members of a violent cult. She has also firmly denied that the Jamisons were involved in drugs or witchcraft.[9]
Discovery
The skeletal remains of two adults and one child were found on November 15–16, 2013, more than four years after the family went missing. The remains were discovered less than three miles away from where the family's pickup truck had been abandoned. While the remains were presumed by many to be those of the missing family, the Oklahoma medical examiner's office needed to use anthropological and forensic pathological testing to identify the remains.[6]
Officials confirmed on July 3, 2014 that the remains belonged to the missing Jamison family.[6] A cause of death was not determined.
There are several similarities between the McStay Family Murder and this case. In both cases, an entire family vanished. Both families were found dead miles away from their vehicles, both families were found dead in the same week. Both families abandoned their vehicle, and neither family's vehicle suffered any struggle damage. And both families were not reported missing until several days after they vanished.
In the media
The Jamison family disappearance was profiled on the Investigation Discovery series Disappeared in late 2010, in an episode entitled "Paradise Lost".[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Kim Cantrell (February 23, 2013). "Missing Monday: The Missing Jamison Family of Eufaula, Oklahoma". True Crime Zine.
- ^ "Bobby Dale Jamison".
- ^ "Sherilynn Leighann Jamison".
- ^ "Madyson Stormy Star Jamison".
- ^ a b Pete Kotz (October 22, 2009). "Bobby Jamison and His Family Are Missing in Oklahoma". True Crime Report.
- ^ a b c Amanda Bland (July 4, 2014). "Jamison Family Remains Confirmed". Tulsa World. Cite error: The named reference "Tulsa World" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Andrew Knittle (November 2, 2013). "Jamison family was threatened by relative before vanishing, records show". The Oklahoman.
- ^ a b Graham Noble (November 20, 2013). "Missing Oklahoma Family, Demons and Drugs". Liberty Voice.
- ^ Michael Zennie (November 20, 2013). "Mother believes a CULT is responsible for the disappearance and death of the Oklahoma family who vanished in 2009 amid rumors of witchcraft and drug use". Mail Online.
- ^ "Disappeared S02E10".