A mom of three was shot to death and then set on fire after sending a worrying message to her friend.
Earlier this week, Jarrett Davis, 28, pleaded guilty to the shooting death of Megan Bodiford, 25, on April 25, 2024. A family member of Bodiford told the media that she had “reached out for help” in her relationship with the suspect, who had an open warrant for domestic violence at the time of the killing.
As per reports, Davis was sentenced to 43 years behind bars for murder, along along with concurrent sentences of 15 years for third-degree arson, 10 years for desecration of destruction of human remains, and five years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Bodiford was reported missing not long after she had sent a chilling text message to a friend with an eerie prediction of her grisly fate.
“If you don’t hear from me in 30 minutes, he killed me,” that message read, as per Too Fab.
Authorities quickly began a dual search for Bodiford and Davis, who had an extensive criminal past that including charges of domestic violence.
On April 27, 2024, with Bodiford still missing, police arrested Davis, taking him into custody on an already-active domestic violence warrant.
Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office ultimately discovered Bodiford’s remains in a burned-out vehicle on April 30. The vehicle was found about two miles from her last known location.
Davis was charged with her murder, with arrest warrants alleging that Davis had shot and killed mom of three Bodiford on April 25, before setting the car alight while she was inside.
“If he would have been locked up the way that he was supposed to be the first time, maybe he wouldn’t have even gotten a chance to get this far with her,” Bodiford’s cousin Stephanie Nickens told WIS.
Nickens went on to say that Bodiford had “reached out for help” multiple times in the weeks leading up to her murder, including to Davis’ parole officer and law enforcement.
“She’s always been in danger,” a friend told FITSNews.
“It’s gut-wrenching because he did not have to do all of that at all,” Nickens said. “I keep having this thought in my mind of how fearful she was in that moment.”
According to a GoFundMe page, Bodiford leaves behind three daughters, aged 7, 4, and 4 months old.
Rest in peace, Megan Bodiford.
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