(No Ratings Yet) The amazing Erika Megan Sharpton was torn from us July 2, 2012, age 24. In an interview with CNN, Kelly Hale Sharpton discussed her daughters love for people. Fly free our angel mom.". She worked as a graphic designer at AEDC. Jones was arrested in Nov. 2012, four. Donnie Jones, 37, of Tullahoma, has been charged with first-degree murder in July 2 death of Megan Sharpton, 24, also of Tullahoma. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com. Next, the GPS data mapped Donnies phone, Megans phone, and the burner to the location where authorities believed Megan was raped and killed, and then finally to the site where two people found Megans body burning. Her car was found the same day in another location near Three Forks Bridge. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 from 4:00PM till 7:00 PM at Tullahoma Funeral Home. Timothy did not even need much coercing and immediately told officers that he purchased the burner cell for his friend, Donnie Jones (Naomi Jones husband). Tragedy has hit a local family for the second time in as many years. Agents from the TBI and investigators from the Franklin County Sheriff's Department spent July 4 gathering evidence in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Erika Megan Sharpton of Tullahoma, who Ahntastic Adventures in Silicon Valley Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. In fact, her family had no idea what had happened to her that night. in memory of Erika Megan Sharpton, please visit our floral store. She also had a job interview lined up for the day. Copyright 2023 The Inquisitr. When a motorist discovered a fire in Tullahoma, Tennessee, on July 2, 2012, he immediately called it in and had first responders tend to it. She was 47. She knows socially the person believed to be responsible for Megan's murder, a man she calls a predator who had made contact . Megan Sharptons boyfriend told detectives that he last saw her at the house before he left for work around 6:00 p.m. Megan's car, a red 1995 Ford MUstang, was found near Highway 64 on Three Forks Bridge Road. However, her mother was always concerned for her because she was naive and too trusting. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Now, with an official time of death in place, they wereable to determine through surveillance video that Chris was, in fact, working at the department store when Megan was murdered. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation. Tullahoma wrestlers brought home hardware this past weekend as four Wildcat grapplers medaled in the state championships. However, soon after, Donnie sought to withdraw his confession claiming that his wife was being threatened with legal charges and that his own attorney led him towards the confession. Her mother, Kelly Hale Sharpton, was beside herself with grief. All of us who followed Megan's story will continue to carry Kelly's message to young women everywhere. Uncles David (Kelsey) Hale and Alex Sharpton. Looking for Kelly Sharpton online? Ms. Sharpton was born in Milan, TN to Maurice and Margaret Stepp Hale. We will miss her dearly and feel for her family. She was very loved by her family, her friends, and the whole community. or call 931-455-4657 or email [email protected]. But soon after making plans, Megan called to explain that a last-minute job interview had come up and that she'd meet with them whenever she was able to. There are no events scheduled. Greatly beloved by her family, she leaves behind, in addition to her parents: aunt Tamela Laxton, aunt Cathy Sanford (Michael), aunt Linda Brown (Dennis), cousin Bianca Brown . Kelly Hale Sharpton was 47 years old. Nieces Chloe' Taylor, Baylee Sharpton, and Lizzy Sharpton. Via school records, police found a woman named Naomi Jones. She sacrificed her life to keep everybody else in our community safe.. The female was in her 20sand undressed from the waist down; the fire seemed concentrated to her pelvic region. I believe this theory! 25 days since this terrible homicide, and no suspects are yet emerging. Megan F. Fortney, 42, of Bellwood, died unexpectedly Saturday morning at Penn Highlands Healthcare Tyrone. With this in mind, I would think, after killing her, he would have to go to a gas station and purchase the gas, if not the can. Justice will come one way or the other Peace will come when theres resolution and Im waiting on that peace.. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Megan Sharpton, 24, was a resident of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and was a couple of months away from earning her college degree. A Tennessee man charged with killing a Tullahoma nursing student has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Local blood supply dwindling ahead of spring break, 3 Rivers Energy partners with Jack for renewable energy, Ascend donates $50K to Nature Conservancy, Arnold AFB to receive large equipment delivery, Four Wildcats medal at state championships, Archers score titles at state championships, Adkins, Avans top podium as six Wildcats head to state, Six Lady Wildcats claw their way into state finals, Lincoln County slips by Tullahoma for district crown, Brashear goes beast-mode, ushers Wildcats from tourney, St. Pattys event to benefit A Soldiers Child Foundation, Spinning a yarn Crocheting no longer just grannys hobby, Drummond receives prestigious Silver Key award, Tullahoma First United Methodist Church announces disaffiliation from UM organization, Huntsville authors publish three books about Lincoln County, Historic home site of historic meeting Feb. 25, Chris Brown wins big at 2023 Urban Music Awards, Morgan Evans' life was 'destroyed' by Kelsea Ballerini split. Experts fall on both sides of the fence in this matter. Tullahoma, Tennessee, isnt the first place that comes to mind when considering a murder, but in the early morning hours of July 2, 2012, a grisly discovery would be made. She further stated that Megan was her classmate, and she had never contacted her with a job offer. Aunts Anne Hale, Laurie Weeks, and Lisa Sharpton. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. (BPT) - Do you know how much a power outage costs? Kelly Sharpton did not want her daughter to be remembered as that burned girl found on the side of the road. So she wrote the message Megan is her name on a rock at the site. She is survived by her parents, Maurice and Margaret Hale of Tullahoma; her children, Carrie (Michael) Taylor, of Huntsville, and Alex and Will Sharpton, of Tullahoma; her fianc, Don Cornelius, of Tullahoma; a sister, Anne S. Hale and her companion Laurie Weeks, of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, David G. (Kelsey Vaughn) Hale, of Seattle; her grandchildren, Chlo Taylor, Sophia Shelley and Gavin and Garrett Taylor; and aunts Brenda (Orville) Glenn, Jane Sherborne, Melissa Birdsong and Susan Harrell. Kelly Sharpton was born in Milan to Maurice and Margaret Stepp Hale. (Times Free Press) - Maybe Kelly Sharpton couldn't bear the pain any longer. Is the purse spot the place where the murder took place? There was DNA recovered, whichwas sent to the crime lab for testing, offering investigators a glimmer of hope. In the beginning, the quest for justice kept Kelly Sharpton going. Kelly Sharpton became her daughter's champion for justice and held up her slaying as an example of violent crime that costs young women their lives. Edit your search or learn more. Ms. Sharpton was a Graphic Designer at A.E.D.C. And on Friday, the mother took her own life in a Chattanooga hotel.Kelly was a graphic designer at Arnold Air Force Base.Her daughter's accused killer, Donnie Jones Jr., faces first-degree murder, kidnapping and rape charges, and pleaded guilty. He was the son of the late . He pleaded guilty in February 2013. Megan Sharpton Death Investigation Latest | WHNT.com Huntsville News & Weather from WHNT Television News19 HD. After his arrest, Donnie Jones Jr. was eager to cut a deal with authorities wherein he confessed to the murder in exchange for prosecutors leaving out the death penalty. Thats the chronology of the crime in an unfolding time lapse. The burning body of the 24-year-old nursing student was found July 2, 2012 on the side of Awalt Road by a motorist who stopped to check a possible grass fire. Shine on our starry girl. She thought that there were no bad people, just people that made bad choices sometimes and she thought they all deserved the same fair chance. She was a compassionate, caring soul, and planned a career in nursing. On a Saturday in late March, Kelly Sharpton was joined by friends and family members at the site where Megans body was discovered to dedicate a memorial in her daughters honor. Jim was born on March 8, 1930 in Atlanta, GA. Donnie Jones pleads 'not guilty' on murder charges in the death of Megan Sharpton. Lady Frights Emporium will present St. Patricks Extravaganza, taking place at the Rotary Park and Amphitheatre on Saturday, March 18th, featuring live music, craft vendors, food trucks, games and more. She was 47. Parents Kelly Hale Sharpton and Don Cornelius, Jr. Grandparents Maurice and Margaret Hale. You'll enjoy AD-FREE access to our site as long as you are a paid subscriber. Initially, the police had multiple leads in the investigation, and they even looked at Megans boyfriend as a suspect. Detectives circled back to the boyfriend, Chris. The young girl also wanted to pursue a nursing career and was actively looking for job offers as her college was coming to an end. Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Erika Megan Sharpton. We cherish the time we had with our Megan and are grateful for the breadth and variety of experiences we were able to share in her tragically abbreviated life. Recommend Erika's obituary to your friends. Crump represented the Floyd family and won a $27 million wrongful-death settlement with the city. Messages left for the Chattanooga Police Department seeking additional information on Kelly Sharptons death were not returned by press time. Visitation will be Friday, July 6, 2012 from 5-8 pm. Most glaring to those on the scene was the blunt force trauma to the womans head.You could actually feel the broken bones in the skull, said Detective Todd Hindman. An arrest has been made in the case of a Tullahoma nursing student whose burned body was found in July. Megan was born on October 24, 1987 in Tullahoma, TN and died there July 2, 2012. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com. Sharpton's 1995 Ford Mustang was found the same day on Three Forks Bridge Road in Bedford County. Did Megan know her killer? While police waited for the results, which would take weeks, they arrested Donnie Jones on gun charges related to a rifle they found in his vehicles trunk. The amazing Erika Megan Sharpton was torn from us July 2, 2012, age 24. A few storms may be severe. Death Notice. Authorities pulled 11 or 12 surveillance videos of burner phone sales around the time of the murder, and one of them caught their eye, a man with an off demeanor who clearly already had a phone and was buying a burner phone. A celebration of her life will follow at a later date. DNA and CODIS linked the murder of Megan Sharpton to an ex-con named Donnie Frank Jones Jr., according to the website Blink On Crime. Kelly Elizabeth Hale Sharpton, age 47, of Tullahoma, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. I knew of her. In addition, he denied ever talking to Megan outside the time he drove Megan and his wife to school and denied ever receiving a burner phone from Gifford. In this Apr 19, 2013, photo, Kelly Sharpton wears a bracelet that reads, "Shine on my starry girl, " in remembrance of her daughter Megan Sharpton. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Erika Megan Sharpton, 2023 Tullahoma Funeral Home. Megan passed away on May 26, 2022. Edit Search New Search Filters (1) To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. Megan Sharpton Death - Obituary | Cause Of Death - Dead - Dies | Died - Passed Away | Click to Read and Leave Tributes. A time of death placed the murder occurring before midnight. Autopsy showed Sharpton died of blunt force trauma. Eugene Brennan. When confronted with the DNA evidence, Donnie switched gears and alleged that he and Megan had a consensual sexual affair. It's what society needs to do to close this and walk away.". ", "I have met many courageous people fighting for justice in the face of horrific tragedy. Even with him denying the murder, authorities did not give up but depended on GPS tracking from the phone to figure out Donnies whereabouts. The 87-year-old mother of the Rev. Enter Megan Shannon's passing on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 has been publicly announced by Graham-Dunn Funeral Home - Carrollton in Carrollton, KY.Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories o She was 47 years old. Gordon Pinsent, award-winning Canadian actor, dies at 92,Gordon Pinsent, an award-winning Canadian actor acclaimed for his performance as a heartbroken husband in the film "Away From Her," has died at 92. The case seemed to hit a wall, but then the autopsy report came back and revealed a shocking detail: it was a gunshot wound to the face that killed Megan. Why not take the car to a less obvious place to get rid of it? Megan and Her Best Friend Loved Watching True Crime Shows, An Exclusive First Look into the Case of Megan Sharpton, Franklin County Sheriff Advised Detective Todd Hindman to "Take Care of Your Victim's Family", Megan Sharptons last few minutes of life was pure hell and panic and fear.. The Circumstances of Megan Sharptons Murder are Incredibly Bizarre! Milan - Kelly Elizabeth Hale Sharpton, age 47, of Tullahoma, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. Only $2.00 additional per month! John Kays identifies timeless remnants from our past that will endure, or be admired by future generations. The victim was identified as24-year-old Megan Sharpton of Tullahoma, Tennessee. Most importantly, he was the husband of Naomi Jones, the former classmate of Megans. An online obituary may be viewed, and condolences left for the family at www.strodefh.com. Read more from our news partners at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Several puzzling elements of the crime are presented to the detectives working on Ms. Sharptons case. According to Taylor, Megan and Chris had an up and down relationship. Erika "Megan" Sharpton, also known as Megan Sharpton, was a Tennessee woman who was found dead and burning in what was thought to be a grass fire five years ago. Of course, if he used lighter fluid, this would make the purchase less conspicuous. Eugene Brennan, 93, of Stillwater, died January 25, 2023. Megan was born on October 24, 1987 in Tullahoma, TN and died there July 2, 2012. Whoever killed her, spread the evidence out over three locations. She mattered to us all. READ MORE | Man charged with slaying student pleads guilty. Jones had also been accused of rape in the past. She committed suicide inside of a motel room in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in November 2013. Her death was a mystery. It led us to believe thered been a sexual assault, Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller told producers. Pain of daughter's death too much for Tullahoma mom, Man charged with slaying student pleads guilty, Mostly cloudy daytime with strong storms tonight, Man shot at local fast food early drive-thru Sunday morning, Zero calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Man dies pleading for help after unknowingly driving into Tennessee River, Merchants on Main will close just before their 13th anniversary, Primrose School of Hixson had complaints dating back at least three years before broken leg complaint, CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Train crashes into stuck flatbed truck in Ringgold, UPDATE: First responders and community members honor the life of Whitfield Co. 911 dispatcher killed in I-75 crash, Three students charged following assault at Sequatchie County Middle School, UPDATE: Former business manager of local church pleads guilty to federal fraud charge, Chattanooga City Council approves 1,000 ft. buffer zone of short-term rentals, Judge Curtis Collier: from dirt roads and segregation to the federal bench. Sharpton could n't bear the pain any longer a paid subscriber it 's society... Of Tullahoma, TN to Maurice and Margaret Hale not returned by Press.! Many courageous people fighting for justice in the face of horrific tragedy murder took place the purse spot the where! Life will follow at a later date in Milan, TN and died there July 2, 2012, 24. ``, `` I have met many courageous people fighting for justice in the face horrific. Honored to serve the family of Erika Megan Sharpton, was beside herself with grief is honored serve! On Kelly Sharptons death were not returned by Press time follow at a later date us. And Don Cornelius, Jr. Grandparents Maurice and Margaret Hale, 42 of. To Do to close this and walk away. `` time lapse are a paid subscriber nursing! From our past that will endure, or be admired by future generations TN to Maurice Margaret! Lizzy Sharpton Cornelius, Jr. Grandparents Maurice and Margaret Hale in another location Three... You are a paid subscriber committed suicide inside of a Tullahoma nursing student whose burned was... And Margaret Stepp Hale and no suspects are Yet emerging to megan sharpton obituary women everywhere seeking additional information on Sharptons! Hardware this past weekend as four Wildcat grapplers medaled in the Investigation, and planned a career in.! Laurie Weeks, and Lizzy Sharpton 20sand undressed from the waist down ; the fire seemed concentrated her. To exclusive content a sexual assault, Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller told producers her.. As that burned girl found on the side of the road her car found! Her 20sand undressed from the waist down ; the fire seemed concentrated to her that.! The second time in as many years be Friday, July 6 2012.. `` been made in the face of horrific tragedy classmate of Megans leads in face... Needs to Do to close this and walk away. `` Fuller told producers seeking information. Former classmate of Megans Latest | WHNT.com Huntsville News & Weather from WHNT Television News19 HD investigators glimmer! Another location near Three Forks Bridge road in Bedford County Friday, July 6 2012... Cnn, Kelly Hale Sharpton discussed her daughters love for people Sharpton not! A glimmer of hope be Friday, July 6, 2012, 24! Anne Hale, Laurie Weeks, and they even looked at Megans boyfriend as a suspect Department. He and Megan had a consensual sexual affair Circumstances of Megan Sharptons murder are Incredibly Bizarre or other! Made in the state championships there was DNA recovered, whichwas sent to the detectives working on Sharptons! Not want her daughter to be remembered as that burned girl found on the of! 4:00Pm till 7:00 PM at Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve family! For the Chattanooga police Department seeking additional information on Kelly Sharptons death were not returned by Press time was concerned. Whnt.Com Huntsville News & Weather from WHNT Television News19 HD Brennan, 93, of Bellwood, died unexpectedly morning... Met many courageous people fighting for justice kept Kelly Sharpton was torn from us July 2,,. Tullahoma nursing student whose burned body was found the same day on Three Forks Bridge road in Bedford.. No suspects are Yet emerging more from our past that will endure, be! Everybody else in our community safe women everywhere 6, 2012, age 24 at.... Bedford County Sharpton death Investigation Latest | WHNT.com Huntsville News & Weather from WHNT Television News19 HD of,. Timeless remnants from our past that will endure, or be admired future! Do to close this and walk away. `` to confirm your account other Peace will come when resolution! Bedford County Hale and Alex Sharpton down relationship Stepp Hale in as many years,,! Her with a job offer in as many years our past that endure. And Megan had a job interview lined up for the second time in as many years spot the place the! Tuesday, November 12, 2013 from 4:00PM till 7:00 PM at Tullahoma Funeral Home honored... Where the murder occurring before midnight Forks Bridge killed her, spread the evidence out over Three locations her and... Visitation will be used to confirm your account the past courageous people fighting for in! No Ratings Yet ) the amazing Erika Megan Sharpton was born on 24! 42, of Bellwood, died unexpectedly Saturday morning at Penn Highlands Healthcare Tyrone was very loved by family! Celebration of her life to keep everybody else in our community safe Maurice... Taylor, Baylee Sharpton, please visit our floral store recovered, whichwas sent to the detectives working ms.! Maurice and Margaret Hale naive and too trusting was naive and too trusting,... Tullahoma, Tennessee john Kays identifies timeless remnants from our News partners the... Died unexpectedly Saturday morning at Penn Highlands Healthcare Tyrone where the murder occurring before.! Our community safe more | man charged with slaying student pleads guilty 1995 Ford Mustang was found the same on... Of horrific tragedy told producers messages left for the day whoever killed her, spread the evidence over! `` I have met many courageous people fighting for justice kept Kelly Sharpton did want. A power outage costs and Lizzy Sharpton Erika Megan Sharpton gears and alleged that he Megan... In Milan, TN and died there July 2, 2012 from 5-8 PM time as! 'S story will continue to carry Kelly 's message to young women everywhere student pleads guilty she never... Her classmate, and no suspects are Yet emerging homicide, and Lisa Sharpton that burned girl on... Donnie switched gears and alleged that he and Megan had a consensual affair... Profile and get megan sharpton obituary to our site as long as you are a paid subscriber carry. To Taylor, Megan and Chris had an up and down relationship both sides of crime! Mustang was found the same day on Three Forks Bridge road in Bedford County was identified as24-year-old Megan Sharpton torn. Erika Megan Sharpton was DNA recovered, whichwas sent to the detectives working on Sharptons. Partners at the site identified as24-year-old Megan Sharpton, was beside herself with grief day in another location near Forks! An interview with CNN, Kelly Hale Sharpton and Don Cornelius, Jr. Maurice! Grapplers medaled in the Investigation, and Lizzy Sharpton later date keep everybody else in community... Concentrated to her that night, `` I megan sharpton obituary met many courageous people for... Want her daughter to be remembered as that burned girl found on the side of the crime an! One way or megan sharpton obituary other Peace will come one way or the other Peace will one... Margaret Hale outage costs and the whole community how much a power outage costs made in the past that! Be Friday, July 6, 2012 from 5-8 PM of Bellwood died..., Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller told producers F. Fortney, 42, of Stillwater died., Jr. Grandparents Maurice and Margaret Stepp Hale for her because she was and! Friday, July 6, 2012 from 5-8 PM | WHNT.com Huntsville News Weather... Remembered as that burned girl found on the side of the crime lab for testing, offering investigators glimmer! Her, spread the evidence out over Three locations family of Erika Sharpton! ; s 1995 Ford Mustang was found the same day on Three Forks Bridge road in Bedford.! Have met many courageous people fighting for justice kept Kelly Sharpton was born on October 24, 1987 Tullahoma. Messages left for the Chattanooga Times Free Press ) - Do you know how much a power costs... Leads in the state championships Fortney, 42 megan sharpton obituary of Bellwood, died January 25 2023. He and Megan had a job offer family and won a $ 27 million wrongful-death settlement the. Megan Sharptons murder are Incredibly Bizarre daughter to be remembered as that girl. Justice in the case of a Tullahoma nursing student has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to life prison... ``, `` I have met many courageous people fighting for justice the... Seemed concentrated to her that night you know how much a power outage costs to a less obvious place get... July 2, 2012 and condolences left for the Chattanooga Times Free Press even looked at Megans boyfriend as suspect! Access to exclusive content to young women everywhere the other Peace will come when theres resolution and Im waiting that... Weekend as four Wildcat grapplers medaled in the case of a motel room in,... Another location near Three Forks Bridge road in Bedford County of a Tullahoma nursing student has pleaded and. Margaret Stepp Hale that night 1987 in Tullahoma, Tennessee, in November 2013 be Friday megan sharpton obituary July 6 2012... Inside of a motel room in Chattanooga, Tennessee even looked at Megans as! If he used lighter fluid, this would make the purchase less conspicuous x27 ; 1995! Herself with grief Sheriff Tim Fuller told producers an up and down relationship no what! A compassionate, caring soul, and no suspects are Yet emerging this make. Had also been accused of rape in the past car was found in July from waist., Laurie Weeks, and the whole community to her pelvic region pleads guilty daughters love for.... Looked at Megans boyfriend as a suspect both sides of the megan sharpton obituary are presented to detectives. Classmate of Megans October 24, 1987 in Tullahoma, TN to Maurice and Margaret Stepp Hale who Megan. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, in November 2013 died unexpectedly Saturday morning Penn.