Authorities in Mississippi are on the lookout for Sammy Patrick, who allegedly sexually assaulted and killed 73-year-old Dee Eady before setting her body ablaze at her home in Scott County on Dec. 30, 2023. Patrick is seen on the left during an alleged armed robbery at a Subway in the town of Woodville. He then drove away in a stolen truck, right. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 601-469-1511. (Scott County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities in Mississippi are on the lookout for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted and killed a 73-year-old woman before setting her body on fire.
Sammy Patrick is also accused of stealing a truck and ATV and robbing a Subway on New Year’s Day, Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee told Law&Crime.
Patrick’s alleged crime spree began Dec. 20 when he stole an ATV and burglarized a vehicle. He also burglarized a car from Newton, Lee said.
Then, around 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Scott County deputies responded to a home where they found Dee Eady, 73, dead from a gunshot wound. Lee said Patrick sexually assaulted Eady and partially burned her body using gasoline. Police learned Eady was on the phone with one of her nieces when she heard her dogs barking. She hung up and went to check it out. Lee said family members became concerned when someone, whom deputies believe was Patrick, tampered with one of Eady’s outdoor cameras.
The family member drove to Eady’s home and found her body under the carport. Despite the one camera being disabled, other cameras captured the incident, Lee said. Detectives are still trying to figure out the relationship between Patrick and Eady, but Lee said Patrick lives nearby and may have worked odd jobs for Eady’s late husband and knew she would be alone. Detectives have obtained a warrant for Patrick’s arrest on a capital murder charge.
Around 2 p.m. Monday, Patrick allegedly walked into a Subway in the town of Woodville, north of the state line with Louisiana, and robbed the joint. While investigating the robbery, cops realized he was driving a truck stolen Thursday from Old Highway 21 in Newton. The Mississippi license plate number is a disabled tag DBW5119.
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Louisiana State Police and U.S. Marshals are participating in the search. Lee said Patrick should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 601-469-1511. There’s a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
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