MEMPHIS, TN – The discovery of a body in a burnt vehicle at the Memphis Police Department’s impound lot has triggered an investigation into a suspected homicide. The vehicle in question is linked to 20-year-old Jaderius Webb, who was reported missing by his family to the Horn Lake Police Department.
On July 20th, first responders attended a scene at Weaver and Tully involving a burning vehicle. After the fire was extinguished, the vehicle was relocated to the impound lot at 465 Kline, and a body was later discovered inside. The Horn Lake Police Department said that DNA testing is being performed to confirm the identity of the remains, which is believed to be Jaderius Webb.
Tragically, this is not the first occurrence of a body being found at the impound lot. Six years prior, the body of Bardomiano Perez Hernandez, a shooting victim, was discovered in the back of a van. It had been at the lot for almost seven weeks and was only discovered when a friend came to pick up the vehicle. The incident led to the former Memphis Police Director, Michael Rallings, implementing major changes in policy to ensure such incidents don’t reoccur in the future.
New measures included vehicle inspections with the aid of cadaver dogs, extended vehicle hold periods, and advanced crime scene training for officers. Despite such policies, the unfortunate event on July 20th indicates room for further improvements.
Initial investigations from July 20th found no traces of charred remains inside the burnt vehicle. However, on the morning of July 22nd, an MPD officer performed a closer exam and discovered a charred body in the rear passenger area.
While the case is being treated as a homicide, the Memphis Police Department is also conducting an internal review of the incident.