Suspect in July 5 deaths of two Springfield residents arrested in Mississippi

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Oct. 14, 2024, the Springfield Police Department’s Crime Stoppers received tip information that led to the arrest of Jeffrey Garrett, 40, from St. Louis, in Waynesboro, Mississippi.

Garrett is charged with two counts of 1st degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action and will be held with no bond.

Detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with information about this incident, to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1755 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.

 

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release

The Springfield Homicide Unit identified Jeffrey Garrett, 39, from St. Louis, as the suspect in the July 5 homicide of 46-year-old Jack Osborn and 44-year-old Melissa Smith (previously identified as Melissa Evans).

On July 9, 2024, the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. Garrett was charged with two counts of 1st degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action with no bond.

Garrett is not currently in custody.

Detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with information about Garrett’s location or this incident, to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1755 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.

  

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous release

On July 5, 2024, at 3:12 a.m., Springfield police officers responded to the report of two people shot at 1634 W. Chestnut St.

Officers located Jack Osborn, 46, with a gunshot wound at the residence. Osborn died on scene. The second victim, Melissa Evans, 44, also had gunshot wounds. Evans was transported to a local hospital where she later died. The families of Osborn and Evans have been notified.

There is no suspect information at this time.

Detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with additional information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.

This is Springfield’s fifth homicide investigation in 2024, which includes the sixth and seventh victims for the year.