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3-year-old Jackson girl found dead in Alabama

By Jaylin Thornton Sep 26, 2025 | 11:26 AM

UPDATE:

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Interim Jackson Police Chief and Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones announced the body of three-year-old Janae McGill was recovered in Alabama.

According to Jones, authorities in Alabama located Janae’s body in close proximity to where her mother’s body was discovered earlier this week.

Janae’s cause of death is unknown and is pending autopsy results. The investigation is ongoing.

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Interim Jackson Police Chief and Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones provided an update on the investigation into the death of a Jackson woman and her missing daughter.

Jackson police said they were notified by the Jackson FBI on September 25, 2025, that the body of Shardee McGill had been located in Epes, Alabama, after a search effort. Her body was found in a shallow body of water. Jones said McGill’s cause of death is under investigation.

“The death and the circumstances of Shardee McGill are definitely suspicious based on the evidence and based on the manifest that has been discovered during the course of the investigation,” said Jones.

Authorities are still searching for McGill’s three-year-old daughter, Janae McGill. She is three-feet tall and weighs 40 pounds.

“There is a huge concern regarding the safety and wellbeing of three-year-old Janae McGill,” Jones stated.

According to police, McGill and her daughter were reported missing on September 23, 2025, around 8:30 p.m. Investigators said they were informed by Johnathan McGill, Shardee’s husband and the father of Janae, that the two left their Northeast Jackson home on September 22, 2025, and were last seen in the 300 block of Northtown Drive.

  • (L-R) Shardee McGill and Janae McGill (Courtesy: JPD)
  • Interim Jackson Police Chief and Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones provided an update on the investigation into the death of a Jackson woman and her missing daughter. (WJTV)

Police said the two were in a black 2017 Chevy Equinox. The vehicle was later located in Epes, Alabama, and was not occupied.

Jones said Johnathan McGill traveled to Alabama at some point and was detained by authorities in that state. He said Johnathan was questioned and later released.

“At this particular time, it’s too early to say who’s involved, nor do we have any type of suspect information regarding the investigation,” said Jones.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the case can contact the Jackson Police Department (JPD) at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).