On sixth anniversary of woman’s death, family, police still seek answers

At 1:38 a.m. Sunday, it will have have been six years since Sheila Jackson’s body was found in the travel lanes of U.S. 167, approximately onehalf mile south of the intersection with East Tennessee Avenue.

Ruston police investigators still don’t know what happened. They and Jackson’s family continue to ask the public for help in solving the crime.

“There are no new leads, but the case is still considered open,” Deputy Ruston Police Chief Chad Hamlin said.

All investigators know for sure is that it appears Jackson, 52, of Ruston, was walking south on U.S. 167 when she was struck by a vehicle.

RPD received a call at 1:28 a.m. that Sunday about a pedestrian having been hit. The only evidence located at the scene was a Grambling State University fan flag that attaches to an automobile window.

Jackson’s remains were identified several days later after family members reported her missing. Rodney Jackson, Sheila Jackson’s older brother, said his sister’s body was intact for the most part.

“People have said things, but they were dead ends,” said Rodney Jackson, who now lives in Denver, Colorado. “We’re just hoping and praying somebody out there will say something.”

Sheila Jackson was last seen alive in the parking lot of a convenience store at the corner of Farmerville Street and Martin Luther King Drive, according to family.

She was one of eight siblings and was known to have addiction problems. But, in an interview three years ago, Rodney Jackson said his sister was turning her life around.

For the last five years on Oct. 22, Sheila Jackson’s family has held a vigil for her in the convenience store parking lot. Because of a family illness, that won’t happen this year.

But Rodney Jackson still wants the community to remember, and he still wants people he believes are out there and know something about his sister’s death to come forward.

“I don’t want her to be forgotten,” he said.

Anyone with any information about the case should call the Ruston Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 255-4141 or report a tip anonymously through Ruston-Lincoln Crime Stoppers.

Crime Stopper information can be given in several ways; either by calling 318-255-1111, text a tip to “TIP515 plus your message” to CRIMES (274637), or submit a tip online at www.rustonlincolncrimestoppers. com.