Mississippi authorities have arrested Sammy Patrick in connection with the sexual assault and murder of 73-year-old Dee Eady. According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Patrick was apprehended at a Quiktrip gas station following a coordinated effort by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force and state troopers.
Patrick, who is also accused of vehicle theft and armed robbery, was spotted in a vehicle reportedly stolen from Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee informed Law&Crime of Patrick’s alleged involvement in additional criminal activities, including the theft of a truck, an ATV, and a robbery at a Subway restaurant on New Year’s Day.
The investigation into Patrick escalated following a social media alert issued by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office on December 20. The alert was related to the theft of an ATV and vehicle burglary. His alleged crime spree, however, took a more sinister turn with the murder of Eady.
Dee Eady was found dead on December 30 at her home with a gunshot wound, and her body was partially burned using gasoline. The attack occurred while Eady was on a phone call with her niece, prompting concern when outdoor cameras at her home were tampered with. Despite the disabling of one camera, other surveillance footage captured the incident.