Mississippi Woman Sentenced to Life for Son’s Murder, Body Found Behind Fake Wall
A 69-year-old Mississippi woman, Jerri Roby, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2023 murder of her 42-year-old son, John Gaither. Roby pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after authorities discovered Gaither's body hidden behind a fake wall in…
Portland, OR, July 23, 2026 —
GULFPORT, MS – Jerri Roby, a 69-year-old resident of Gulfport, Mississippi, has received a life sentence for the 2023 murder of her son, John Gaither, who was 42 years old. Roby entered a guilty plea to a charge of first-degree murder.
The discovery of Gaither’s body occurred after authorities located it concealed behind a makeshift wall within Roby’s home. The investigation into Gaither’s disappearance and subsequent death revealed evidence suggesting Roby took steps to hide the crime.
Investigators found that Roby had purchased materials that were later used to construct the hiding place for her son’s body. Furthermore, evidence indicated that Roby had forged letters and messages. These communications were reportedly created to deceive both law enforcement officials and Gaither’s family regarding his true whereabouts following his death.
The timeline of the events, including the exact date of the murder in 2023, the date of discovery of the body, and the sentencing date, were not explicitly detailed in the provided information. The specific circumstances that led to the murder of John Gaither also remain undisclosed.
Story summarized from the original created by WLOX News staff, Jordan Gartner on www.kptv.com, see more information here.
