In a disturbing revelation, the family of Jonathan David Hankins only discovered this month via reporters that their family member had passed away in May 2022 and had been indigently buried. The deceased man was found in a hotel room by authorities. Still, the Hankins family was left in the dark about this grim occurrence, adding this case to an alarming pattern that's surfaced in Hines County, Mississippi. This marks the third similar instance where families were not notified of their kin's untimely death.
The incident brought back wrenching memories of two previous instances in Hines County. Last week, it was Mario Moore, discovered lifeless on a street and buried without his family being notified. Earlier, the same unfolding happened in the case of Dexter Wade, who was struck by a Jackson, Mississippi police cruiser and buried hush-hush without the family's knowledge.
In this tragic series of cases, all three families are on the same page; they demand answers and accountability. Gretchen Hankins, the bereaved mother of Jonathan Hankins, shared her grievances about her son's unceremonious handling by the authorities.
For almost a year and a half, Ms. Gretchen had followed every possible lead, desperately trying to find her missing son. From distributing missing posters, requesting the community's help, to exploring digital platforms like Facebook, no stone was left unturned during the desperate search. The shocking news of his death delivered by reporters was a bitter pill to swallow.
Adding insult to injury, when Ms. Gretchen approached the Jackson Police Department requesting clarifications about her son's case, she was told that it was the coroner's responsibility to inform her about the death, a job they apparently failed to do.
The case resonates with disturbing undertones, as the coroner found meth and fentanyl in Jonathan's blood but listed the cause of death as 'natural causes.' The Hankins family, along with more than 600 other families seeking closure for their loved ones buried behind the Hines County jail, are demanding answers and justice for their departed family members.
