Couple Arrested After Body Found Buried in Backyard During Search for 81-Year-Old Woman Missing From Nursing Home

A Mississippi husband and wife are in custody after police investigating the disappearance of an elderly woman discovered human remains buried in the backyard of their home.

The case began Saturday when a relative contacted the Jackson Police Department to report 81-year-old Carol Ryan missing. The caller told officers that Ryan was believed to be living at a nursing home in Brandon, near Jackson, but family members had not heard from her in several months.

Jackson Police Chief Tyree Jones said investigators traced the case to Ryan’s former residence, which is now occupied by her son, 50-year-old John Ryan, and his 48-year-old wife, Samantha Ryan. Police said all three had lived in the home together at one point.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers examined the backyard, where cadaver dogs alerted investigators to the possible presence of human remains. Authorities then excavated the area and discovered a body wrapped in a tarp and buried beneath concrete.

The remains will be examined by the medical examiner to confirm the individual’s identity and determine the cause and manner of death. Chief Jones said the remains appeared to have been buried well before Carol Ryan was officially reported missing, though investigators do not yet know how long they had been there.

Police said the missing person investigation will remain active until the remains are positively identified as Carol Ryan’s. John Ryan and Samantha Ryan have each been charged with one count of desecration of a human corpse. John Ryan is being held at the Hinds County Jail on a $100,000 bond, while Samantha Ryan’s bond has been set at $75,000.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say additional charges could be filed as more evidence is uncovered.

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