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Tennessee teen’s body found in Mississippi, uncle charged

By Sethanie Smith Jul 8, 2025 | 10:16 AM

JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) – A 17-year-old from Tennessee was found deceased in Mississippi, and investigators said his uncle has been charged in connection to the case.

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson said they were alerted by Child Protective Services in Tennessee in reference to a 17-year-old who had been given a two-day pass to leave the state with his uncle to visit family in Louisiana.

Johnson said Caden Cantrelle had not returned to Tennessee after those two days were up. His phone had last pinged around noon on Sunday, July 6 near County Road 8 and County Road 39 in Jasper County.

Jasper County deputies located Cantrelle’s body on Monday, July 7 in a rural area on County Road 39. The sheriff said foul play was suspected in the teen’s death.

  • Caden Cantrelle (Courtesy: Japser Co. Sheriff’s Office)
  • Victor “Jerry” Carver III (Courtesy: Japser Co. Sheriff’s Office)

According to Johnson, the teen’s uncle, Victor “Jerry” Carver III, 37, of Collinwood, Tennessee, was charged with manslaughter. Carver is being held in Tennessee.

The sheriff said charges against Carver could be upgraded, determining the outcome of the investigation. The case has been turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI).