A Jacksonville woman has been taken into custody following the discovery of her girlfriend’s lifeless body. This shocking turn of events unfolded after a missing person’s report was filed, leading investigators to uncover human remains on the front porch of a residence in Westside. The victim, Heather Sheppard, had been reported missing on June 29, while her girlfriend, Shannon McCarthy, was already facing charges for assaulting Sheppard earlier this year.
McCarthy’s bond in the domestic battery case has now been revoked by a judge, as the victim has been confirmed deceased. The police are awaiting formal identification from the Medical Examiner, but Sheppard’s daughter has stated that the remains found are indeed her mother’s.
On Wednesday afternoon, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) were conducting follow-up investigations in the Colonial Avenue area when they made the grim discovery of the decomposed remains. Homicide detectives, crime scene investigators, and the Medical Examiner promptly arrived at the scene. While the incident is being treated as a death investigation, foul play has not been ruled out at this time. McCarthy’s residence on Colonial Avenue remains an active crime scene, cordoned off with police tape.
Neighbors in the area have reported a foul odor, heightening concerns about the circumstances surrounding Sheppard’s disappearance. According to a flyer shared on The Justice Coalition’s Facebook page, Sheppard was last seen on Colonial Avenue the previous Thursday. Her family has revealed that her phone was turned off, her credit cards were missing, and a pair of stained shoes were discovered at McCarthy’s residence. Additionally, Sheppard’s truck was found with a bullet hole.
McCarthy and Sheppard had been in a relationship since approximately November 2022, as documented in the January arrest report. McCarthy was taken into custody on January 29, 2023, in connection with the incident involving Sheppard.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working diligently to establish a connection between the human remains found and Heather Sheppard. The Medical Examiner’s formal identification will provide crucial information in this regard.