Missing twins and caretaker found murdered

Published 9:39 pm Tuesday, June 5, 2012

By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

Law enforcement agencies through central Alabama are no longer searching for two missing children and the man last seen with them. Now, police are instead searching for a “person of interest” in connection with the killing of the missing three.

Wednesday afternoon, officials with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation reported they had discovered the bodies of 9-year-old twins Jordan and Taylor Dejerinett, along with the body of 73-year-old Jack Mac Girdner.

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According to a release from the ABI, the bodies were discovered by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the ABI on a dirt road off of Alabama Highway 21 near Hayneville.

Authorities are now searching for 22-year-old Deandra Marquis Lee, who is wanted for questioning in the ongoing murder investigation.

Lee was reportedly out on bond from Dallas County, where he is facing charges related to a mid-December run-in with Selma Police. In that incident Lee is reported to have resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. He was also charged with obstruction of justice and violation of license to carry a pistol.

“We have received information from the ABI and we have shared this with all of our detectives and officers,” Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said late Wednesday. “This is a horrific event and our prayers are with the family.”

The information released from ABI lists Lee’s last known address in Montgomery, but when he was arrested in December, Lee’s address was listed as 595 Ceola Miller Avenue in Selma.

ABI has said Lee is considered armed and dangerous and that anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact ABI Special Agent Matt Bowman at 242-1142 or any local law enforcement agency. If those offering tips to authorities wish to remain anonymous, they are asked to call the ABI’s Crime Tip Line at (800) 392-8011.

The children had last been seen with Girdner Sunday, according to information from the Department of Public Safety Monday. At the time, Jordan was reportedly wearing a black shirt and beige shorts, while Taylor was wearing a blue and white jump suit.

Monday, when the children were reported missing, authorities said they were in the custody of Girdner, who had known the family for “about three years.” They had been reportedly last seen in Montgomery.

Officials with ABI and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office refused any other comment regarding the investigation.