Gulfport, MS (1/21/20240 – The Gulfport Police Department (GPD) arrested 66-year-old Jerri Lynn Isreal/Roby on January 20, 2024, charging her with one count of 1st Degree Murder – the victim being her own son, John Allen Gaither.
The discovery began on December 22, 2023, at 5:43 p.m., when officers responded to a welfare concern at a residence in the 2200 block of 16th Avenue, prompted by suspicions of a missing person.
As Detectives delved into the case, discrepancies in Isreal’s statements arose, leading to heightened suspicion. Isreal’s uncooperativeness and inconsistent statements unveiled a disturbing history—she had been arrested and convicted of murder in Florida back in 1995. Detectives learned that Isreal committed the murder and made multiple attempts to dispose of the deceased subject at various locations across Florida. Armed with this chilling information, Detectives secured a search warrant for Isreal’s residence.
On January 18, 2024, around 10:00 a.m., Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians executed the search, resulting in the discovery of a wooden box concealed behind a false wall. Tragically, it contained the lifeless body of John Allen Gaither, Isreal’s son.
Following the search, Isreal was rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment. Once stabilized, she was processed and transported to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, where she awaits her bond hearing.
The Gulfport Police Department urges anyone with information related to this tragic incident to contact them at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
Source: GPD
