GULFPORT, Miss. (WJTV) – A woman has been indicted in connection to the death of her son and hiding his body in a box at her Mississippi home.

The Sun Herald reported Jerri Lynn Roby, 68, was indicted on felony charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. She previously served time for manslaughter in Florida.

According to Gulfport police, the investigation started on December 22, 2023, when police responded to a home in the 2200 block of 16th Avenue in reference to a welfare concern regarding a possible missing person.

On December 27, 2023, detectives conducted several follow-ups and noticed discrepancies in statements provided by Roby. Throughout the investigation, detectives said Roby became increasingly uncooperative and changed her statements multiple times.

Police discovered that Roby had been convicted in Florida in 1995. In that case, authorities said Roby made several attempts to dump the deceased person at different locations throughout Florida.

With the new information, detectives obtained a search warrant for the Gulfport home.

On January 18, 2024, detectives and crime scene technicians searched the home. At this time, they said Roby was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. During the search of the home, a wooden box containing a deceased person, later identified as John Allen Gaither, was located behind a false wall.

Roby has been held in the Harrison County Jail without bond since her arrest. Her arraignment has been scheduled for June 2025.