The Tragic Murder of Jay Lee: How Private Snapchat Messages Revealed a Deadly Secret Affair
The disappearance of Jimmy J. Lee, known to friends as Jay, sent shockwaves through the Oxford, Mississippi community in July 2022. The vibrant 20-year-old University of Mississippi graduate student vanished in the early morning hours of July 8th after leaving his apartment in distinctive attire—a silver dressing gown, gold cap, and gray slippers. His beloved Pomeranian, Lexus, remained behind, an unusual circumstance that immediately concerned those who knew him well.
The investigation took a significant turn when Jay's black Ford Fusion was discovered at an impound lot, containing his bank cards and keys but notably missing his iPhone. Security footage, witness accounts, and iCloud message records revealed Jay had been communicating with someone using the username "red_eye24" shortly before his disappearance. These messages suggested a complicated relationship and a planned meeting that morning—the last time anyone would hear from the promising social work student who had graduated with honors and was known for his outgoing personality and close family connections.
Key Takeaways
Jay Lee disappeared after leaving his apartment in the early morning, leaving behind his beloved dog but taking his phone which would later become crucial evidence.
His abandoned vehicle was found at a local apartment complex, containing personal belongings but missing his iPhone that held vital clues about his whereabouts.
Digital evidence revealed Jay had arranged to meet someone using the username "red_eye24" shortly before his disappearance, providing investigators with their primary lead.
Disappearance of Jimmy J Lee
On July 8, 2022, Jimmy J Lee, a 20-year-old graduate student at the University of Mississippi, vanished after leaving his Oxford apartment in the early morning hours. Wearing a silver dressing gown, gold cap, and gray slippers, Lee left his beloved Pomeranian, Lexus, at home around 6:00 AM—unusual for someone who rarely traveled without his dog.
Security footage revealed Lee had actually left twice that morning. He first departed around 4:00 AM, returned approximately 40 minutes later, then left again at 5:58 AM. His vehicle, a black Ford Fusion with distinctive gold striping and a "I love my Pomeranian" bumper sticker, was discovered two days later at an impound lot.
Key evidence from the abandoned vehicle:
Banking cards
Key ring
No signs of forced entry
Only Lee's fingerprints on the steering wheel
Missing iPhone
Lee's mother, Stephanie, became concerned when her son failed to make his traditional birthday call to her that day. Despite numerous attempts to contact him, Lee remained unresponsive, prompting his mother to contact Oxford Police Department to conduct a welfare check.
The last known communication with Lee came from his friend Khed Fears, a 27-year-old X-ray technician. Fears had been FaceTiming with Lee as he left his apartment that final morning. During their conversation, Lee revealed he was meeting a romantic interest—someone he'd argued with earlier that night but had decided to give another chance.
Investigators later recovered messages from Lee's iCloud account between him and a user named "RedEy24" between 5:17 AM and 6:03 AM. The exchange showed initial tension, with Lee expressing concerns about the meeting. His final message, sent at 6:03 AM, contained only the word "open," suggesting he had arrived at his destination.
Police traced the "RedEy24" account to 22-year-old Sheldon Timothy Harrington Jr., a University of Mississippi graduate from a prominent local family in Grenada. Following his graduation, Harrington had been operating a moving business with a friend while also helping his grandfather maintain a church.
Lee's phone location data showed movement until 7:28 AM on July 8th, with the final pings coming from areas near Stone Park and Residential College South. His vehicle was later captured on security cameras heading toward the Molly Bar Trails apartment complex shortly before 7:30 AM.
The First Indicators and Case Development
Finding Jay's Car
On July 10, 2022, detectives discovered Jay Lee's abandoned vehicle at an impound lot. The black Ford Fusion, easily identifiable by its gold stripe and "I Love My Pomeranian" bumper sticker, had been towed from Molly Bar Trails apartment complex. The car was parked haphazardly, with its front tires pulled sharply left and positioned over a curb, suggesting it had been left in haste.
Inside the vehicle, investigators found Jay's bank cards and key ring, but notably, his iPhone was missing. Security camera footage confirmed the car had traveled toward the Molly Bar complex just before 7:30 a.m. on July 8. Despite careful examination, only Jay's fingerprints were found on the steering wheel.
The position and condition of the vehicle raised immediate concerns. Jay had left his apartment at 5:58 a.m. wearing casual home attire—a silver dressing gown, gold cap, and gray slippers—suggesting he hadn't planned to be gone long. Yet he never returned home to his beloved Pomeranian, Lexus.
Video Evidence and Digital Traces
Surveillance footage from Campus Walk Apartments revealed Jay's movements that morning. The recordings showed him leaving his apartment shortly after 4:00 a.m., returning approximately 40 minutes later, then departing again at 5:58 a.m. These timestamps aligned with witness statements and digital evidence.
Jay's friend Khed Fears provided crucial information to investigators. During a FaceTime call around 6:00 a.m.—the last known contact with Jay—Khed spoke with him as he left his apartment. During this conversation, Jay mentioned:
He was meeting a romantic interest
They had been intimate earlier that night before an argument
Jay had initially blocked this person across social media
They had reconnected, with the person promising a new experience
Cell phone records showed Jay's iPhone pinged at different locations between midnight and 7:28 a.m. on July 8. The final two pings were detected near:
Stone Park
Residential College South
When Detective Douglas accessed Jay's iCloud messages on July 22, he discovered exchanges between Jay and a user named "red_i24" between 5:17-6:03 a.m. The conversation revealed:
Initial hostility from Jay: "You fool like you done did some questionable stuff"
Attempts at reconciliation from red_i24: "I do feel bad because we cool"
Jay's hesitation: "Yeah now it seemed like you just trying to lure me over there"
A final agreement to meet, with Jay's last message at 6:03 simply stating: "open"
Investigators traced the red_i24 account to an email associated with "Dirt for Diamonds" podcast, hosted by 22-year-old Sheldon Timothy Harrington Jr., a recent University of Mississippi graduate from a prominent Granada family.
Jay's Social and Academic Life
Jay Lee was a remarkably accomplished student who graduated early with honors from the University of Mississippi. He had already begun pursuing his Master's Degree in Social Work and was participating in an internship as part of his academic requirements. His educational achievements demonstrated his commitment to academic excellence and professional growth.
Friends and acquaintances consistently described Jay as "vibrant" and extroverted. He possessed a natural ability to connect with people, forming friendships easily and maintaining strong relationships. Jay's outgoing personality made him popular among his peers at the university.
Jay maintained an exceptionally close relationship with his family, particularly his mother Stephanie. They spoke multiple times daily—typically in the morning, midday, and evening. This regular communication pattern was so established that its disruption immediately caused concern.
His personal life included a beloved Pomeranian named Lexus, who rarely left his side. Jay's affection for his pet was evident from the "I love my Pomeranian" bumper sticker on his distinctive black Ford Fusion with a gold stripe.
The young graduate engaged actively on social media and messaging platforms, staying connected with friends and romantic interests. His digital life reflected his social nature, with frequent communication across multiple platforms. His iPhone was central to these connections, making its disappearance alongside him particularly concerning.
Jay's compassionate character was highlighted by his family's description: "Whether you're black, white, green, polka dot—it doesn't matter who you are, he was there to help if you saw the need." This giving nature aligned perfectly with his chosen field of social work, suggesting a genuine commitment to helping others.
His personal style was distinctive and colorful. Jay embraced self-expression through his clothing choices, including his favorite gold-colored accessories. Even in casual situations, he maintained his unique aesthetic, as evidenced by the silver dressing gown and gold cap he wore when last seen.
Family and Friends' Response
Jay Lee's mother, Stephanie, had a close relationship with her son. They spoke daily, often multiple times. Each morning they chatted while Jay prepared for his internship at his Master's Degree program in Social Work. Jay, having graduated early with honors from his undergraduate studies, was known for staying connected with loved ones.
On July 8, 2022, Stephanie's birthday, she expected their annual tradition of Jay singing to her over the phone. After receiving his initial message at 2 a.m., she replied around 7 a.m. but got no response. Throughout the day, she repeatedly tried contacting him from the family home in Jackson.
Growing concerned, Stephanie contacted Oxford Police Department requesting a welfare check. She reached out to Jay's friends, who joined the search efforts. From outside Jay's Campus Walk apartment, friends could hear his Pomeranian, Lexus, barking inside, but no one answered the door.
The Lee family made public appeals for information regarding Jay's whereabouts. In a heartfelt video message, a family member stated: "Whether you're black, white, green, polka dot—it doesn't matter who you are, he was there to help if you saw the need. I'm asking if anyone knows anything or sees anything, say something."
Jay's friend Khed Fears provided crucial information to investigators. He revealed that during a FaceTime call early that morning, Jay mentioned meeting someone romantically. Jay explained he was giving someone a second chance after an earlier argument. This was the last known communication with Jay before his disappearance.
Data Leads and Investigative Breakthroughs
Final Video Call Connection
Investigators received crucial information from Khaled Fears, a 27-year-old X-ray technician who worked at a local hospital. Khaled revealed he had been on a FaceTime call with Jay Lee during a work break, connecting with him at approximately 6:00 a.m. on July 8, 2022. This conversation would be the last known contact anyone had with Jay.
During their video call, Khaled could see open sky in the background and heard Jay's Ford Fusion starting. Jay disclosed he was heading to meet a romantic interest, though he didn't name the person. He explained to Khaled that earlier that night, they had been intimate before having an argument, which prompted Jay to block this person across all social media platforms. Surprisingly, they had reconnected hours later.
Jay mentioned to Khaled that his romantic interest had promised a new intimate experience. After their call ended, Khaled sent a follow-up message later asking "hey friend," hoping to check how the meetup went, but never received a response.
Critical Digital Evidence Uncovered
On July 22, Detective Douglas gained access to Jay's iCloud data, which proved invaluable to the investigation. The recovered messages confirmed Khaled's account that Jay was meeting someone between 5:30-6:00 a.m. on July 8.
The messages revealed an exchange with a user named "redEYE24" beginning at 5:17 a.m.:
Message timeline:
5:17 a.m. - Jay: "who the f is this"
RedEYE: "come back" followed by "you coming or n"
5:27 a.m. - Jay: "why not you fool like you done did some questionable stuff but that there was too much have a good night Tim"
5:37 a.m. - Jay: "yeah now it seemed like you just trying to lure me over there to beat my ass or something"
RedEYE: "you tripping I do feel bad because we cool so I ain't trying to end like this"
Jay: "how we cool and you barely want me to text you"
RedEYE: "I'm saying you're a cool person"
Jay then agreed to return under one specific condition involving a physical act as a "show of mutual consideration." RedEYE agreed at 5:45 a.m.
Jay's final message was sent at 6:03 a.m., simply reading "open" – indicating he had arrived at RedEYE's location. Investigators traced the RedEYE24 account to an email associated with the "Dirt for Diamonds" podcast, hosted by 22-year-old Sheldon Timothy Harrington Jr., a recent University of Mississippi graduate from a prominent Granada family.
The Mystery of Red Eye's Identity
Jimmy J. Lee disappeared on July 8, 2022, after leaving his Oxford, Mississippi apartment in the early morning hours wearing a silver dressing gown, gold cap, and gray slippers. His absence was noted when he failed to call his mother Stephanie for her birthday, something he never missed. University Police surveillance footage showed Jay leaving his apartment at 5:58 AM, after a brief return from an earlier outing at 4:00 AM.
Jay's black Ford Fusion was found at Molly Bar Trails apartments and towed on the afternoon of his disappearance. The vehicle, identifiable by its gold stripe and "I love my Pomeranian" bumper sticker, contained his bank cards and keys, but not his iPhone. Investigators later determined the car had been driven to the complex just before 7:30 AM on July 8th.
A crucial lead came from Jay's friend Khed Fears, who had FaceTimed with Jay as he left his apartment that morning. During their call, Jay revealed he was meeting a romantic interest with whom he'd had an earlier encounter and subsequent argument. Despite initially blocking this person on social media, they had reconnected, and Jay was giving the relationship another chance.
When investigators accessed Jay's iCloud messages, they discovered exchanges between 5:17 AM and 6:03 AM with someone using the username "red ey24." The conversation showed initial hesitation from Jay:
Message Timeline:
5:17 AM - Red Ey: "come back" and "you coming or n"
5:27 AM - Jay: "why not you fool like you done did some questionable stuff"
5:37 AM - Jay: "yeah now it seemed like you just trying to lure me over there to beat my ass"
5:45 AM - Red Ey agrees to Jay's condition for returning
6:03 AM - Jay's final message: "open"
The digital trail led investigators to identify "red ey24" as Sheldon Timothy Harrington Junior, a 22-year-old University of Mississippi graduate from a prominent Granada family. Harrington worked in a moving business and helped his grandfather, a respected local pastor of more than forty years, with church maintenance.
Jay's phone pinged last at locations near Stone Park and Residential College South before activity ceased at 7:28 AM on July 8th, shortly after his car arrived at the Molly Bar complex.
Despite the evidence pointing to Harrington as the last person to see Jay, many questions remained about what truly happened after Jay sent his final message asking someone to "open" the door.
Tim Harrington's Background and Involvement
Tim Harrington, a 22-year-old University of Mississippi graduate, came from a prominent family in Granada, Mississippi. His grandfather served as a pastor at a local church for over 40 years, establishing a respected family reputation in the community. After completing his studies, Tim worked with a friend running a moving business while also helping his grandfather maintain the church.
Online, Harrington operated under the username "redEYE24," which investigators linked to an email address associated with his "Dirt for Diamonds" podcast. This digital identity would later become crucial in the investigation of Jay Lee's disappearance.
In the early morning hours of July 8, 2022, Harrington engaged in conversation with Jay Lee. Their messages revealed a complicated interaction: they had apparently met earlier that night before having an argument, after which Jay had blocked Harrington on social media. Despite this, they reconnected between 5:17 and 5:45 AM.
The exchange showed tension and mistrust. Jay expressed concern that Harrington was "trying to lure me over there to beat my ass," while Harrington attempted reassurance, writing "you're a cool person" and that he "ain't trying to end like this." After negotiating conditions for meeting again, Jay messaged "open" at 6:03 AM, presumably upon arrival at Harrington's residence. This was the last known communication from Jay Lee before his disappearance.
